Analysis of social and socio-economic impacts of sugarcane production: A case study in Nakhon Ratchasima province of Thailand

This study analyzes the social and socio-economic impacts of sugarcane production in Nakhon Ratchasima province as the largest sugarcane growing area and production in Thailand. The list of relevant social topics along the supply chain of sugarcane-to-sugar factory were determined and also verified by the experts; examining the profiles of workforce for sugarcane production (labor use and working hours); and comparing the influence of plantation areas of sugarcane growers (small, medium and large scale) on the key social areas of concern. The key findings of this study illustrated that the list of relevant social topics include labor use, labor cost, production cost, access to knowledge on sugarcane production, access to monetary support, access to natural resources, land rights, land use and income. These relevant social topics are influenced by the factors of cultivation practices, natural phenomena (e.g drought) and relationship between the sugar factory and growers (contract farming). The comparison within three scales of plantation showed differences in labor rights, working conditions, discrimination and cultural heritage.