Participation of Community in Knowledge Management: Case Study of Paganyaw Way of Upland Rice Cultivation in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Abstract

In Thailand, there are many ethnic minority groups, and one of them is Paganyaw. As the largest ethnic minority group in Thailand, the Paganyaw have a unique culture and way of living, such as their wisdom of upland rice farming. This research aimed to collect a body of knowledge originating from the wisdom of Paganyaw people. Employing the action research method, this study involved an investigation of the people’s daily life, upland rice farming, way of life, as well as beliefs and culture. Participants of this research included three researchers, one community leader, 15 Paganyaw people, and 10 research assistants. The first phase of this research dealt with finding 15 people who were interested in knowledge transferring. The second phase was concerned with the process of participatory action research, which included action planning; finding areas, equipment and research participants; action; observation and reflection using the knowledge management (KM) technique, which involved knowledge formation and exploration; systematic knowledge management; knowledge evaluation; knowledge access planning; and knowledge dissemination. Participation and observation techniques were employed in the process of meeting and transferring and exchanging knowledge of participants. The final finding was about the upland rice farming of the Paganyaw tribe: their lifestyle is very simple and they have been growing rice with the process of upland rice production. Keywords: participatory of community, knowledge management, upland rice, Paganyaw, rice, Prachuap Khiri Khan