Establishing Geospatial Database for Assessing Food Security Status in
the Communities of Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand
PICHITPORN PHOLGERDDEE1*,
KANNIKA WANTAVEE1, RUNGNAPA KAEWTHONGRACH2
1Faculty of Geoinformatics, Burapha University, 169 LonghadBangsaen Road, Saensuk, Mueang,
Chon Buri province, 20131, THAILAND
2Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, 120 The Government Complex
Commemorating His Majesty The King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, 5th December, B.E.2550(2007)
Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building 6th and 7th Floor, Chaeng Wattana Road, Lak Si,
Bangkok, 10210, THAILAND
Abstract: - Food security is an important indicator of the people’s well-being and the national security. This
research focuses on the investigation of food security in the communities of eastern special development zone,
Saensuk municipality, Chonburi Province, Thailand. By random sampling of 397 participants, the data are
analyzed using IBM SPSS and service area analysis using ArcGIS program to evaluate food security status in
the areas. The results show the communities investigated have access to food service areas at 4 levels: 1) the
nearest distance, 6,812 households; 2) medium distance, 3,241 households; 3) quite far, 2,202 households; and
4) the farthest distance, 3,088 households. In terms of the assessment of food security status, it reveals that they
gain a high average score (2.48). Although the food accessibility of the communities has been at a good level,
Saensuk municipality should have a plan to prevent risks that may arise from unforeseen events, both from
natural disasters and economic conditions that may affect their food security in the future, as well as
establishing a learning center, providing knowledge of fisheries to the community members in order to
strengthen the community's sustainable economy.
Key-Words: -Geospatial database, Food security, Service area analysis
Received: June 25, 2021. Revised: April 29, 2022. Accepted: May 25, 2022. Published: June 15, 2022.
1 Introduction
Food security is a fundamental factor in human life.
If households, communities and countries lack food
security, people will live their life with difficulty.
As the world experienced a shortage of grains for
consumption, the food price crisis was rising. In
1974, the first world food conference was held in
Rome, Italy emphasizing food security which was
viewed as a problem caused by insufficiency in food
production to meet consumer demand. The World
Food Organization, therefore, decreed the term
"Food Security" since then [1]. The problem of food
insecurity arises from a number of reasons, such as
an increase in the cultivation of alternative energy
crops and economic adaptation, etc. The growing of
renewable energy crops has reduced the area for
growing food crops. The yield of food crops may
not be sufficient to meet the demand for
consumption and may affect economic adjustment
causing food prices to rise. These causes are parts of
the growing food insecurity that can affect
households, communities and nations. However,
food security in the community sector in Thailand
has a different food source depending on the context
of each community [2]. When looking at the world's
food stability today, there is still enough food for
consumption, but there is a problem of uneven
distribution of food at certain times. Trade is,
therefore, a solution to this problem by reducing
fluctuations in food supply and prices in certain
countries and seasons as well as it enables to help
consumers to consume a variety of foods. In
addition, advances in technology have enabled food
distributors to efficiently diversify food into the
market, and they can access food demand
information through it which can reduce
transportation costs, financial fees and the amount
of spoiled food or leftover food from the production
process.[3]
However, the current problem that arises and
affects food security is the epidemic of COVID-19
because the amount of food produced around the
world is sufficient to meet the needs of the world's
population, but those foods cannot be distributed to
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
746
Volume 18, 2022
people around the world thoroughly and
sufficiently. While the crisis from the epidemic is
severe, climate change, natural disasters and
economic crises, this makes the problem of food
access more serious. It affects the world’s food
stability.[4]
In addition, if considering the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals Framework
(UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that
define 17 Sustainable Development Goals, it is also
found that goals related to food security, Hunger,
Good health and Well-Being, Clean Water and
Sanitation, Responsible Consumption and
Production are also set. Especially, the goal of
ending hunger, achieving food security, improving
nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture
which is considered the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals, it covers food security within
the meaning of FAO, which reflects the
interrelationship between food and the goals of the
SDGs. [5]
However, constitution of the Kingdom of
Thailand determines a 20-year long-term national
development strategy with the aim of raising the
quality of the country in all sectors and develops
Thailand into a high-income country in developed
countries. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
project is an area development project with the main
objective of extending the development of the
Eastern Seaboard area which is known for more
than 30 years, focusing on the development of 3
provinces in the eastern region, namely Rayong,
Chonburi and Chachoengsao. Thus, EEC
development plan recognizes the importance of area
development both physically and socially in order to
raise the level competitiveness of the country.
Saensuk is a community in Chonburi Province,
which is a community in the country's economic
special development zone. The living conditions of
the people in the community can reflect the
country's economic security to a certain extent. In
the past, people in the community lived a lifestyle
that relied on food from the coastal areas. Most of
the population is engaged in fishing, such as
shellfish and crabs etc. by using fishing tools that
are custom made to suit each species of aquatic life.
It is a wisdom passed on from generation to
generation. Food obtained from fishing is often
consumed in the household. If it is obtained in large
quantities, it will be sold or preserved to make the
food last longer for consumption in their families.
But nowadays, the lifestyle of fishing which is the
main occupation of the people in the community has
changed. By turning to other occupations more,
causing the fishing wisdom to begin to disappear
that they used to rely on tools that had been invented
themselves replacing with tools that enabled them to
catch more fish like trawlers. It is a tool that catches
both small and large fish. However, the area of
Saensuk municipality is dependent on marine
natural resources which is part of the natural food
source for life and bring some food resources to sell
to markets both in the community and outside the
community.
Therefore, this research aims to investigate
the food security status of Saensuk municipality
community in order to contribute to awareness and
promotion of food security management guidelines
by collecting data from surveys, questionnaires and
assessment forms. The data were analyzed by using
preliminary statistics and the geographic
information system to obtain results of food security
status of Saensuk municipality Community, Saensuk
Sub-district, Mueang Chon Buri District, Chon Buri
province, Thailand.
2 Literature Review
The history of food security began with food
shortages in various regions around the world,
especially in developing countries. This has made
food security an issue that has gained a lot of
attention. In 1974, the World Food Summit was held
in Rome, Italy, where regional food crises were
discussed e.g., the adequate quantity of food, food
price stability as well as maintaining the ecosystem
which as a result of food production [6].
[7] has classified the history of food security in
each period as follows:
The first period, 1974-1980, focuses on global
food security because of the food crisis in Africa,
including rising food prices, World Food Summit
and Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) established a committee on
World Food Security and World Food Council to
monitor global food demand and supply.
The second period, 1981-1985, began to
implement a restructuring policy to address poverty
problems that may affect food security.
The third period, 1986-1990, when there was a
famine in Africa and parts of the developing world
and the concept of food security was taken
seriously.
In the fourth period, 1990-1996, the concept of
poverty reduction was introduced to solve the
problem of food security.
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
747
Volume 18, 2022
The fifth period, 1996 onwards, was the period
when food prices in the world market rose making
food stability is back in the spotlight again. Rather it
emphasizes the ability to be self-reliant.
[8] affirmed a number of studies in Thailand
addressing the situation of food security in
developing countries caused by the impact of
climate change, such as drought, floods, etc. Some
of the population has a shortage of food for
consumption. This situation has affected their health
and quality of life, which linked to other problems
such as poverty, problems of resource degradation,
social problems, etc. In addition, [9] indicated the
additional causes that people in the developing
countries have a changing consumption culture by
turning to the Western diet, commonly referred to as
junk food. The new generation neglects local food
and tends to rely on food in the market causing the
wisdom to prepare local food menus disappeared. In
addition, the diversity of plants was reduced due to
the agricultural system that focuses on producing
monocultures in order to gain larger quantity. As a
result, subsistence farming has changed to
commercial farming.
Food security according to the concept of
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations [10]
It consists of 4 dimensions as follows:
1. Food availability means having enough food
in general domestic consumption which
may be acquired by domestic production or
imported from abroad as well. But if it is imported
in large quantities, there is a risk of food insecurity.
2. Food accessibility refers to the ability of
people to access food by producing it at home or
buying it for consumption. Therefore, having
enough food in a country as a whole is not a
guarantee that all people will have enough food to
eat, especially if people do not have enough income.
While food is expensive or the government has no
system and well-managed welfare, some people
may have a shortage of edible food.
3. Food utilization means the consumption of
food that is nutritious, safe, diverse (complete food
groups) providing enough energy (calories) for the
growth of the body and good health.
4. Food stability means that all of the above
dimensions must be stable. For example, there is no
shortage of food in some years, some seasons or
people sometimes do not have access to food,
including unhealthy consumption for some cases,
etc.
The United Nations has therefore divided three
approaches to addressing food instability risks:
1. Mobilizing help to the point who most are at
risk for food stability first
2. Strengthening the social protection system in
food
3. Investing in food for sustainability in the
future
But with travel restrictions including measures of
social distancing that still exist makes every sector
requires new technologies used to benefit the
world's food stability.
Food security does not only include an aspect of
producing more food, but it also links to access to
food consistently, food production, food safety, food
security of community, including other contexts,
such as poverty reduction development, reducing
risk situation and vulnerability of society. In
addition, there is also a shift in understanding the
new role of farmers who are not just crop growers
but key players in the manufacturing sector that help
increase agricultural productivity and create food
stability. The role of farmers should be maintained
and is extremely protective. Food security and
developing the agricultural sector in various fields
is, therefore, an important issue that must be carried
out in parallel.
[11] studied food security in Africa. It was
found that food insecurity occurs in low-income
families. Meanwhile, the government pays less
attention to the problem as they focused on solving
the problems of non-agricultural workers instead.
This indicates that the role of farmers is not fully
supported, making it less possible to increase
agricultural production and the sufficient amount of
food for the consumption. The agricultural crops
and food are expensive, but farmers are still in
poverty. This research also suggests ways to
increase productivity for farmers, expansion of
production in the agricultural sector, reducing food
insecurity problems.
[12] examined solutions to improve food
security of farmers during drought in Kenya to
alleviate problems among food disadvantaged
groups. During the drought, the area of the country
is not suitable for commercial crops such as corn,
cassava, beans, etc. As a result, farmers can produce
crops in small quantities and are cheap. The results
suggest that farmers switch to subsistence farming.
Vegetables are grown for domestic consumption
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
748
Volume 18, 2022
rather than commercial crops during drought. This is
to alleviate drought problems for farmers, enabling
them to have food produced by themselves for
consumption within the household as well.
[13] investigated poverty issues affecting
household food security and nutrition in South
Africa. Research has focused on households at risk
of developing food insecurity, including information
about nutritional values which affects malnutrition
in children. The study shows that the nutritional
status of malnourished children in South Africa
remains a concern as most households do not have
permanent housing.
3 Findings
The population living in Saensuk municipality,
Saensuk subdistrict, Mueang District, Chonburi
Province, Thailand, a total of 46,126 people was
applied in the present study [14]. The sample group
of 46,126 people were determined and calculated
using the Yamane formula at a 95% confidence
level with a 5% error using the following formula
[15].
Using the formula to calculate the sample size
When n = sample size
N = number of population units
e = acceptable group tolerance
n = N
1+Ne 2 (1)
by n = number of samples
N = the total number of the population used
in the study
e = acceptable error (in this study it was
given = 0.05), which makes e2 the number 0.0025.
substitute
n = 46,126
1 + 46,126(0.05)2
= 397 sets
Sampling method
The randomized method for this study was
Accidental Sampling according to the proportion of
samples in each village calculated. The calculated
sample size is 397 sets.
Table 1. Proportion of sample sizes classified by
population size in each community
Community
Population
(people)
Sample group
(people)
Community 1,
Maneekao
4,002 34
Community 2,
Don Bon
2,633 23
Community 3,
Bangsaen Tower
903 8
Community 4,
Tan Lom 1
2,422 21
Community 5,
Tan Lom 2
2,373 20
Community 6,
Ban Muang
2,213 19
Community 7,
Pattana 2
1,367 12
Community 8,
Donnara
1,042 9
Community 9,
Wat Klang Don
3,945 12
Community 10,
Saensuk
1,546 34
Community 11,
Map Mayom
1,338 13
Community12,
Tai Talad
1,309 11
Community 13,
Ruam Jai Pattana
825 11
Community 14,
Bangsaen Bon
758 7
Community 15,
Hard Wonnapha
2,789 24
Community 16,
Bang Peng
3,959 34
Community 17,
Na Mor
833 7
Community 18,
Chok Dee
1,019 9
Community19,
SomjaiNuek
2,068 18
Community 20,
Na Tessaban
1,453 18
Community 21,
Wat Saen Suk
3,077 26
Community 22,
Muk Saen
Charoen 1
1,643 14
Community 23,
Muk Saen
Charoen 2
459 4
Community 24,
Khao Sam Muk
797 7
Community 25,
Ban Laem Taen
1,353 12
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
749
Volume 18, 2022
Community
Population
(people)
Total
46,126
The results of collecting geospatial database
1. Database of households and communities in the
area of Saensuk municipality, as shown in Table 2
and Figure 1
Table 2. The number of households in each
community of Saensuk municipality
Community
Number of
households
Community 1, Maneekao
987
Community 2, Don Bon
782
Community 3, Bangsaen Tower
90
Community 4, Tan Lom 1
533
Community 5, Tan Lom 2
521
Community 6, Ban Muang
575
Community 7, Pattana 2
489
Community 8, Donnara
173
Community 9, Wat Klang Don
314
Community 10, Saensuk
450
Community 11, Map Mayom
346
Community 12, Tai Talad
429
Community 13,Ruam Jai Pattana
793
Community 14, Bangsaen Bon
869
Community 15, Hard Wonnapha
2,123
Community 16, Bang Peng
1,958
Community 17,NaMor
246
Community 18,Chok Dee
121
Community19, SomjaiNuek
670
Community 20,NaTessaban
482
Community 21, Wat Saen Suk
1,303
Community 22, Muk Saen Charoen 1
399
Community 23, Muk Saen Charoen 2
217
Community 24, Khao Sam Muk
241
Community 25, Ban Laem Taen
232
Total
15,343
Fig. 1: Map of households in each community of
Saensuk municipality
2. Table 3 and Figure 2 indicate the database of food
sources of each community in the area of Saensuk
municipality. There are 4 types of access to food
sources in the communities of Saensuk
municipality, namely convenience stores, flea
markets, fresh markets and department stores.
Table 3. Types of food sources in each community
of Saensuk municipality
Community
Type of food sources
Convenience
stores
Fresh
markets
Flea
markets
Department
stores
Community 1,
Maneekao
5 - 1 -
Community 2,
Don Bon - - - -
Community 3,
Bangsaen
Tower
1 - - -
Community 4,
Tan Lom 1
- - - -
Community 5,
Tan Lom 2
3 - - -
Community 6,
Ban Muang 5 - - -
Community 7,
Pattana 2 2 - - -
Community 8,
Donnara
2 - - -
Community 9,
Wat Klang Don
3 - - -
Community 10,
Saensuk
6 2 - -
Community 11,
1
-
-
-
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
750
Volume 18, 2022
Community
Type of food sources
Convenience
stores
Fresh
markets
Flea
markets
Department
stores
Map Mayom
Community 12,
Tai Talad
5 1 - -
Community 13,
RuamJaiPattana
11 - 1 -
Community 14,
Bangsaen Bon
11 1 - -
Community 15,
Hard
Wonnapha 1 2 - -
Community 16,
Bang Peng
9 1 3 -
Community 17,
Na Mor
3 - 1 1
Community 18,
Chok Dee - - - -
Community19,
SomjaiNuek - - - -
Community 20,
Na Tessaban
1 - - -
Community 21,
Wat Saen Suk
4 - - -
Community 22,
Muk Saen
Charoen 1 2 - - -
Community 23,
Muk Saen
Charoen 2
2 - - -
Community 24,
Khao Sam Muk
- - - -
Community 25,
Ban Laem Taen 11 - - -
Total
91
Fig. 2: Map of food sources in each community of
Saensuk municipality
3. Figure 3 Database of transportation routes in each
community of Saensuk municipality
Fig. 3: Map of transportation routes in each
community of the Saensuk municipality
Results of data analysis
Based on the analysis of areas in Saensuk
municipality, the distribution of food source areas
can be illustrated in a map below:
1. The result of food security status of each
community in Saensuk municipality is shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 4 shows the food security status of each
community in Saensuk municipality. There are 4
levels of access to food service areas: green is the
closest (0-500 meters); yellow is medium (distance
501- 1000 meters); orange is quite far (distance
1,001 – 1,500 meters); and red is the furthest
(distance 1500 – 2000 meters). It is evident that
there is access to food sources in each community at
different levels. When considered food stability
based on [16] criteria, for which the calculated
result has a mean score of 2.48 and the results in the
mean score range of 2.00 – 3.00, it means the food
security of Saensuk municipality is at a high level.
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
751
Volume 18, 2022
Fig. 4: Map of food stability in each community of
Saensuk municipality
2. The result of the service areas between food
sources and households in the community of
Saensuk municipality is shown in Table 4, Figure 5.
From figure 4, the map showing the service area
between food sources and households in accessing
food sources at distances of 500, 1,000, 1,500 and
2,000 meters, it is the distance used to measure the
suitability of accessing the service areas with the
criteria ranging from highest to lowest. The distance
of 0-500 meters is the distance with the closest
access to food sources with a total of 6,812
households. The distance of 501-1,000 meters is a
distance with moderate access to food sources,
containing 3,241 households. The distance of 1,001-
1,500 meters is the distance that access to food
sources is quite far, consisting of 2,202 households.
The distance of 1,501-2,000 meters is the distance
with the furthest access to food sources, totalling
3,088 households.
Fig. 5: Map of service areas between food sources
and households in the communities of Saensuk
municipality
Table 4. Service areas between food sources and
households in the communities of Saensuk
municipality
Community
Range of access to food source
areas (Households)
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red
Community 1,
Maneekao
137 123 127 600
Community 2,
Don Bon
210 212 123 237
Community 3,
Bangsaen Tower 13 20 5 52
Community 4,
Tan Lom 1
76 116 163 178
Community 5,
Tan Lom 2
236 285 0 0
Community 6,
Ban Muang 93 129 152 201
Community 7,
Pattana 2
108 168 107 106
Community 8,
Donnara
40 51 24 58
Community 9,
Wat Klang Don
307 7 0 0
Community 10,
Saensuk
450 0 0 0
Community 11,
Map Mayom
309 37 0 0
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
752
Volume 18, 2022
Community
Range of access to food source
areas (Households)
Green
Yellow
Orange
Red
Community 12,
Tai Talad
429 0 0 0
Community
13,Ruam Jai
Pattana
764 29 0 0
Community 14,
Bangsaen Bon
843 26 0 0
Community 15,
Hard Wonnapha
713 420 122 818
Community 16,
Bang Peng 779 310 305 480
Community
17,NaMor
222 24 0 0
Community
18,Chok Dee
18 78 25 0
Community19,
SomjaiNuek
11 654 5 0
Community
20,NaTessaban
394 103 15 0
Community 21,
Wat Saen Suk
138 502 312 321
Community 22,
Muk Saen
Charoen 1
223 107 62 7
Community 23,
Muk Saen
Charoen 2
182 35 0 0
Community 24,
Khao Sam Muk
28 61 144 8
Community 25,
Ban Laem Taen
225 7 0 0
Total
15,343
Results of statistical analysis based on the
questionnaires data
To analyze the data from the questionnaire, the steps
are as follows:
1. In relation to food security data analysis using
descriptive statistical processing methods, the
researcher used the data obtained to analyze the
statistical values consisting of mean and standard
deviation. Then, the researcher presented the data in
a tabular form along with a description and a
summary of the results of the study. The score on
the questionnaire responses ranges from the level of
indicative behavior that is most consistent with the
household's opinion, assigned 3 points, to the level
of the indicator of behavior that is the least
consistent with the opinion of the household,
assigned a score of 0. The last step is to find the
average score of the questionnaire answers. The
interpretation criteria are as follows:
Average score 0.00 – 0.99 means food security
is at a low level.
A mean score of 1.00 – 1.99 means food
security is at a moderate level.
Average score of 2.00 – 3.00 means food
security is at a high level.
Part 1: Data of Personal information, family and
environment
The sample group of the study consists of
63.2% females and 36.8% males, representing the
number of respondents who are 251 females and
146 males. Their education is at the bachelor's
degree or equivalent at most, 33.2%, and most are
single 55.2%. Their income 10,001 baht or more is
found at the highest level, 61%. They cook their
own food at home, 63.7%.
Part 2: Social Support
In terms of social support in the
communities of Saensuk municipality, there are 5
aspects found at a moderate level. This includes the
ability of family members to buy food on demand
from shops, flea markets, or community centers
(0.967%), support of family members when having
anxiety about managing food for their family
(0.914%), assistance of family members in
providing food and cooking fuel (0.798%),
neighbor's help or close friends in food upon request
(0.715%), and assistance from government agencies
or non-governmental organizations in selling low
price food (e.g. blue flags) or food donation
(0.272%).
Part 3: Results of food security status assessment
from questionnaire in the communities of Saensuk
municipality
Based on the assessment of food security
status in terms of food availability, it shows that
64.7% of the sample group were able to practice
regularly having enough food to meet their needs at
every meal, ability to eat foods that contain nutrients
from all 5 food groups, 48.9% which can be
practiced often, and traveling outside the
community due to inadequate food sources, 59.2%
with occasional practice. In terms of food access, it
reveals that 94.2% of the samples have the ability to
regularly store fresh food in the refrigerator for
ready-to-use cooking, ability to practice frequently
on consumption of community-produced foods in
their daily life (51.1%), and ability to practice
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
753
Volume 18, 2022
occasionally to buy vegetables, fruit, and meat to
cook (28.7%). In terms of food utilization, it is
evident that 52.1% of the respondents are able to
practice regularly avoiding unclean food from food
sources in the community, ability to frequently
consume food from community healthy sources
such as seafood and local delicacies, and ability to
practice from time to time to process community
food for food preservation (22.4%). In terms of
food stability, it shows that 21.4% of the
respondents are able to practice their daily spending
on food, and11.6% of them frequently do not eat all
three meals a day. They are able to practice from
time to time to deal with feelings of inadequate
income to buy food, and the sample group has never
experienced the condition of not eating day and
night due to the inability to find food (95%). In the
majority, the people in the Saensuk community have
access to food sources, but there is no shortage of
food. As the research cited the cases for Africa and
Kenya, there might be different in terms of
insufficient food sources for local
consumption. Therefore, food security is not only a
dimension of greater food production, but it is also
linked to other issues such as food access, consistent
food production, food safety, community food
security, and other related contexts of food security
which need to be addressed for sustainable
improvement. Regardless of the nature of the food
security problem, it is necessary for the government
or relevant agencies to urgently address the issue
upstream.
As it can be seen, the results analyzed as
percentages in each section are obtained from a
survey with a questionnaire of people in the
community. The researchers then calculated and
analyzed them by multiplying the number of
respondents in that question by 100 divided by the
total number of respondents, and the obtained values
are processed in the SPSS program.
Table 5. Illustration of the mean and level of food
security in Saensuk municipality
Assessment of
food security
status
Level of practice
Always
Often
Sometimes
Never
Food
Availability
1. You are able
to eat all three
food groups.
0.99 1.44 0.56 0.01
2. You have
enough food
for every meal.
1.94 0.98 0.08 -
3. You eat food
0.90
1.47
0.63
0.01
Assessment of
food security
status
Level of practice
Always
Often
Sometimes
Never
that contains
nutrients from
all 5 food
groups.
4. You must
fast one meal
due to
insufficient
food.
0.01 0.05 0.23 2.71
5.You must
reduce the
amount of food
you consume
so that all
family
members can
eat.
0.02 0.06 0.50 2.43
6.You must
travel outside
your
community due
to insufficient
food sources.
0.08 0.37 1.78 0.78
Food Access
7. You can find
vegetables,
fruits, and meat
to cook.
0.79 1.27 0.86 0.08
8. You can buy
food from the
shop or
vendors that
are
conveniently
located in the
community.
1.28 1.48 0.23 0.01
9. Your family
has a
refrigerator/eq
uipment to
keep food fresh
and ready to
use for
cooking.
2.83 0.12 0.04 0.02
10.There is an
adequate food
source in your
community for
consumption.
1.32 1.44 0.24 -
11.You can
consume food
that produces
within the
community to
eat on a daily
basis.
1.13 1.53 0.32 0.02
12.You can go
to buy food
from the
market or
distribution
source to eat.
1.53 1.34 0.14 -
Food
1.56
1.16
0.28
-
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
754
Volume 18, 2022
Assessment of
food security
status
Level of practice
Always
Often
Sometimes
Never
Utilization
13. You can
choose to eat
food from your
community
valuable for
the price.
14. You can
eat food from
your
community
which is good
for health such
as seafood,
community
delicacies etc.
0.58 1.54 0.87 0.01
15. You can
avoid food
which is not
fresh and clean
from the food
source in your
community.
1.69 0.85 0.45 0.02
16. You eat
expired food. 0.01 0.03 0.10 2.86
17.You took
the food from
the community
to process and
preserve food.
0.11 0.26 0.67 1.96
Food Stability
18.Each day
you spend
more on food
than other
expenses.
0.64 1.44 0.90 0.02
19. Each day
you do not eat
all three meals.
0.08 0.35 1.59 0.98
20. You are
worried that
your income
would not be
enough to buy
food.
0.03 0.20 1.65 1.12
21. You have
to borrow
money from
your
neighbours to
buy food.
0.01 0.08 0.26 2.65
22. You have
not eaten day
and night due
to the inability
to find food.
0.01 0.06 0.08 2.85
In Table 5, the mean and level of food security in
Saensuk community, Chonburi Province are
illustrated, wherein a total of 397 questionnaires are
analyzed (as calculated in Equation 1) and the
results of each analysis are averaged for further
analysis of the level of food security.
Table 6. Assesses of food security status
Food security
�
S.D.
Level
1. Food availability
2.35
0.59
High
2. Food accessibility
3.38
0.61
High
3. Food stability
2.46
0.58
High
4. Food utilization
1.73
0.64
Moderate
Overall
2.48
0.61
High
In relation to food security status in Saensuk
municipality community in Table 6, it is divided
into 3 levels. It shows that the people in the
community have food security status at a high level.
A study result on solutions to problems of
Saensuk municipality community
1. Due to the relatively moderate food
security status found, government or public and
private agencies should focus on spatial policies in
various aspects to enhance food security status in
Saensuk municipality community.
1.1 There should be prevention of risks
and crises that may occur suddenly to the people in
the community such as the economic crisis or
climate.
1.2 Local authorities should come to an
agreement with their community members to use
natural resources in the community to suit the
recovery of natural resources.
1.3 Government agencies in fisheries
should promote and focus on fishermen to have a
comprehensive system. There is a strong and
continuous integration, creating a power to bargain
for production and income and establishing a
learning center in the area to provide information on
fisheries.
2. The learning potential of the household is
very important as it is the internal factor of the
people in the community. Infrastructure factors are
also external factors that play an important role in
food security. Therefore, the government and those
involved should accelerate in educating the people
in the community at the right point and bring
knowledge of management to people in the
community in order to gain ability to manage
various aspects, including the preparation of
household accounts, production and marketing
arrangements, financial management and risk
management. Especially in the municipality of
Saensuk, it is an educational city with an
educational council that will be an important force
in bringing knowledge for people in the community
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
755
Volume 18, 2022
to have higher food security. When people in the
community have knowledge about living and
earning money for food consumption and know the
community environment well, academicians from
educational institutions and knowledgeable people
are important factors that can drive academic
service approaches to the community. This principle
is to strengthen the community, building good
relationships with people in the community and
people who come to develop the community. When
there is a problem, it can help plan to solve it in a
timely manner which is appropriate for the
conditions of the area.
4 Conclusion and Discussion
This research aims to assess food security status and
seek solutions to promote food security in the
communities of Saensuk municipality, Chonburi
Province, Thailand. The data of population, the
number of households, food sources and transport
routes were analyzed. In addition, the researcher
visited the site and collected data from
questionnaires and analyzed the data using IBM
SPSS program and created a database of population
numbers, households, food sources and transport
routes in each community in Saensuk municipality.
The findings are presented, discussed and
summarized in the following order.
1. Based on the study of food security status
in each community of Saensuk municipality, there
are 4 levels of access to food service areas. Green is
the nearest (0-500 m distance), with an access of
6,812 households. Yellow is moderate (distance
501- 1000 m) with 3,241 households. Orange is
quite far (distance 1,001 – 1,500 meters) with 2,202
households. Red is the furthest (1,501 – 2000
meters) with 3,088 households. The study reveals
that there are different levels of access to food
sources of each community in the same community.
This indicates the stability status based on the
criteria of [17], which the calculated result has an
average score of 2.48, with the result being in the
mean score range of 2.00 – 3.00, referring to the
food security of Saensuk municipality which is at a
high level.
2. To assess the food security status in the
community area of Saensuk municipality, the people
in the community have food security status at a high
level. It indicates that there are 3 aspects of food
security status found at a high level : food
accessibility (x = 3.38), food stability (x = 2.46),
food sufficiency (x = 2.35) and food utilization (x =
1.73).
The findings of the present study are
consistent with the definitions and theories of food
security which consists of 4 dimensions: food
availability, food accessibility, food utilization and
food stability [18]. The previous study by [19]
convinces the important of 4-dimesion food
assessment is the most reliable measure of food
security, calculated by descriptive statistical
processing by using the collected data for statistical
analysis. It consists of mean (Mean) and standard
deviation (Standard Deviation) and presents the data
in a tabular form.
Food stability is a factor that influences the
level of food security of people in Saensuk
municipality. This includes a plan to control
people's access to all food groups, promoting a
variety of food groups and status of being good
health. This is consistent with Maslow's theory of
hierarchy of needs [19], as the results of research
reflected the access of food to fulfill their basic
needs for people in Saensuk community, which is in
the Eastern Economic Corridor. Such facts can
reflect the model communities of the country's
strategic economic zones that lessons can be drawn
for the development of other communities in the
special economic zone or other provinces of the
country, as well as in areas with close contexts
around the world. Food stabilization has important
implications for people's well-being, physical and
mental integrity of the people in the community.
Therefore, food stability is linked to food
availability, food accessibility and food utilization.
Finally, it can be concluded that food
security is an important issue that many countries
have raised and discussed in both national and
international forums. For challenges to working on
food security in the National Security Policy and
Plan Framework 2019-2022 [20], there should be
the implementation plan of 5 strategies involved.
First, promote sustainable food and water security
enabling mechanisms, laws and an integrated food
and water security management plan that covers
emergency food and water reserves. Second,
develop and link defense systems, surveillance, and
warning, suspend, deter, rectify threats caused by
water hazards such as flash floods and what is
hidden in food and water by integration between
agencies concerned. Third, promote sustainable
agriculture for farmers and agricultural
entrepreneurs to see practical results, covering the
production, product standard marketing and funding
sources including supply chains to increase food
production areas that are safe and immune to food
crises. Fourth, promote research Development of
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
756
Volume 18, 2022
agricultural production technology and food
industry to build confidence and food safety, while
maintaining or enhancing nutritional value and
increasing productivity, as well as promoting
international cooperation to develop relevant
technologies and innovations. Fifth, allocate land to
support food security and protect agricultural areas
to enhance food security so that problems can be
solved and can reduce loss of ownership, as well as
a fair distribution of farmer's land holdings.
The above five food security plans It can
reflect the importance of food in the framework of
the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) and its goals to end hunger,
achieve food security and enhance nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture in accordance with
the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
which cover what government agencies and relevant
sectors should focus on having stock of food and
water to be used in case of anticipated emergencies.
This includes giving importance to people's access
to food and water sources for basic living needs that
are linked from individual immunity, community,
village, the right to live in the land; Preserving
community forest areas, planting fruits and
vegetables for subsistence. More importantly, the
effective land and water management can support
food security and protect farmland which can be a
guideline for improving food security for other
countries, bringing such guideline and body of
knowledge to prioritize projects on food security
management. Solving problems should start from a
small point that arises from the economic conditions
of the community and community access to food
sources spanning all four dimensions: food
availability, food accessibility, food utilization and
food stability for sustainable solutions by
strengthening the economic resources of the
community as well as applying the principles of
mobilization to the point at risk of most food
stability first, strengthening the system of Social
protection for food and food investment for
sustainable in the future according to the
recommendations by the United Nations. The results
of this research will be a case study that can be
applied in similar contexts of the world where food
management principles are applied with
recommendations to relevant departments at the
policy management level to provide accurate
information for decision-making and to help the
global food shortage crisis more effectively.
References:
[1] Prachasan, S. (2012). Food Security:
Concepts and Indicators. BioThai
Foundation, pp. 128.
[2] YaiMuang, S. (2012). Community level food
security indicators.Nonthaburi,BioThai
Foundation, 1st ed. pp. 189.
[3] Samberg, R. (2018). How New Technology
Could Help to Strengthen GlobalFood
Security.Retrieved from World Economic
Forum:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/03/fo
od-security-s-social-network)
[4] Sittirot, S., et al. (2020). Food Security.
TPSO Journal, Trade Policy and Strategy
Office, Ministry of Commerce, Vol11,
Issue113.
[5] Gillson,I., et al. (2015). Trade Policy and
Food Security: ImprovingAccess to Food in
Developing Countries in the Wake of High
World Prices.Washington, DC: World Bank.
Retrieved
fromhttp://hdl.handle.net/10986/20537
[6] Office of the National Economic and Social
Development Board. (2011). The National
Economic and Social Development
PlanNo.11, Bangkok.
[7] Maxwell, Daniel G. & Wiebe, Keith D.,
(1998). "Land Tenure and Food Security: A
Review of Concepts, Evidence, And
Methods," DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.12752,
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Land
Tenure Center.
[8] Maliphan, S. (2009). Food security of Lua
people in Ban Pa Kam Bo Kluea District,
Nan Province, Thailand. King Mongkut's
University of Technology Thonburi,
Bangkok.
[9] Wichiranon, S. et al. (2012). Lifestyle and
Food Security in the Southern Region of
Thailand. DOI:
10.14457/RMUTP.res.2012.11,Rajamangala
University of Technology Phra Nakhon,
Bangkok.
[10] Food and Agricultural Organization of the
United Nations, (2006). Food Security,
Policy Brief, Issue 2. FAO Agricultural and
Development Economics Division.
[11] Gladwin et al. (2001). Addressing food
security in Africa via multiple livelihood
strategies of women farmers. 26(2), p.177-
207. DOI:10.1016/S0306-9192(00)00045-2
[12] Sutherland et al. (1999). Household food
security in semi-arid Africa—the
contribution of participatory adaptive
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
757
Volume 18, 2022
research and development to rural
livelihoods in Eastern Kenya. Volume 24,
Issue 4, August 1999, pp. 363-390. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-
9192(99)00050-0
[13] Wilna H. Oldewage-Theron et al. (2006).
Poverty, household food insecurity and
nutrition: Coping strategies in an informal
settlement in the Vaal Triangle, South
Africa. Volume 120, Issue 9, September
2006, pp. 795-804. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2006.02.009
[14] Saensuk municipality Administration
Organization, (2020). Population Statistics
Retrieved from
https://www.saensukcity.go.th/population-
statistics.html
[15] Yamane, Taro.1967. Statistics, An
Introductory Analysis,2nd ed., New York:
Harper and Row
[16] Best, J. W. (1977). Research in Education.
3 rd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc.
[17] Prachasan, S. (2009). Developing food
security Indicators. Sustainable Agriculture
Foundation (Thailand). National Health
Commission Office.
[18] Songsrirot, N. (2015). Food Security and
Household Management Capacity of Farmer
under Agriucultural Land Reform Office in
Mahasarakham Province. NIDA
Development Journal. Vol. 55, No. 1
[19] Maslow, A. (1970). Human needs theory:
Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs. In R.F.
Craven & C. J. Hirnle (Eds.), Fundamental of
Nursing: Human Health and Function. (3rd
ed.) Philadelphia: Lippincott.
[20] Office of the National Security Council,
(2020). Food Security. National Policy and
Plans on National Security (2019-2022),
page 30.
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)
This article is published under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
_US
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2022.18.70
Pichitporn Pholgerddee,
Kannika Wantavee, Rungnapa Kaewthongrach
E-ISSN: 2224-3496
758
Volume 18, 2022