A Proposal for Agricultural Land Use Simulation in Thailand

Abstract

This study considers an agricultural land use plan using multi-agent simulation in the agricultural area of Nakhon Pathom Prefecture, Thailand, where small-scale croplands of various products exist. In formulating the simulation, interviews with farmers were conducted and a research index of the area was used so that the opinion of the stakeholders will be reflected in the plan. This study is comprised of the following research and analysis. 1) Interviews with farmers concerning future land use 2) Field study of the size of the croplands and the kinds of products 3) Construction of the simulation 4) Calculation of the transportation distance, transportation cost and impact on the environment As a result of the simulation to integrate the croplands of the same products, it was found that pursuing integration to the end does not necessarily reduce the transportation cost and environmental impact. It is effective to conduct integration while paying attention to the cost effectiveness.