Socio-Economic Conditions Affecting Small Farmers ’ Management of Wetland Agro-Biodiversity in Dongsan Village, Akat Amnuai District,

Socio-economic conditions that would affect farmers ’ management of wetland agro-biodiversity were studied at Dong San Village, Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province. The objectives of the study were a) to identify management and utilization practices of wetland agro-biodiversity resources, b) to estimate direct use values of wetland agro-biodiversity products and c) to explore major socio-economic factors that would affect wetland agro-biodiversity resources management activities. The socio-economic conditions were emphasizing on food resources, income generating activities and social participation in the community. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and survey of farmers ’ resource management and utilization were used as key tools in data collection. The sampled population consisted of 40 households in Dong San Village. Qualitative description and relevant statistics were employed for data analysis. The study found that 21 (53%) households had owned land for growing wet seasonal rice; another 19 households had fields for other crops as consequence of annual flooding, the land productivity was usually low. Annual rice harvest averaged was 362 kg / rai. Therefore the rice supply from the village itself did not meet the demand. So, villagers adapted their livelihood strategies accordingly to maximize the benefits from wide range of ecosystems, such as seasonally flooded forest (paa bung pa