Participatory Research on Green Productivity of Silk and Cotton Woven Products in the Northeast Region of Thailand

This research was based on a participatory research approach aimed at improving the production methods of silk and cotton woven products to be environmentally friendly products. It was approximately designed to be in line with Green Growth and Sufficient Economy concepts. It was not a full technical research but it was an action research using the social process (participatory approach) to search for scientific findings that come up with enhancement of sustainable development. The action research was conducted at household level in the northeastern region of Thailand during 2008 and 2009 with a total number of 83 entrepreneurs participating. This kind of research requires willingness of entrepreneurs to participate and strong cooperation among line agencies, local authorities and the entrepreneurs. The technology transferred to the entrepreneurs includes cleaner technology and wastewater treatment process. Integration of the appropriate transferred technology with the local knowledge of production process resulted not only in more effective production processes, but also gave rise to green production towards sustainability.