Promoting Learning About Local Food Security by Applying Environmental Education Processes to People in Central Part of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research is twofold: firstly, to examine the level of local food security and the community members’ understanding of environmental education; and secondly, to develop a model that enhances local food security by implementing the environmental education practices of the community residents. Utilized mixed-methods research. Data were gathered via a questionnaire, a group discussion, and a workshop. A total of 378 respondents were chosen for the questionnaire using multi-stage selection, while 45 respondents were chosen using purposive sampling. Furthermore, a total of 32 community volunteers were extended an invitation to participate in the workshop. This study included descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings indicate that the target communities have an average perception level of 3.19 regarding local food security, while their knowledge about the environment is at a high level of 4.01. The study identifies five key components for establishing local food security, namely: (1) learning local food identity; (2) inheriting local wisdom; (3) transmitting local food knowledge; (4) managing sources of local food; and (5) building local networks.