I. BACKGROUND

1. Thailand's economy has recently been changing from agricultural economy to industrial economy, resulting in the income gap between agricultural and nonagricultural sectors and different life style of Thai people in rural and urban areas. This shift in the nature of Thai economy not only affects the people economically, but also causes stress to the young generation especially those with lower education who do not have many career choices. This induces deviation in living condition that more people have been involved in drugs and have contacted HIV/AIDS while farm work is gradually neglected.
2. There is a large number of Thai youth who have either not attended school or only have lower education level especially those living in the rural areas (as shown in table 1 ). The situation may rapidly worsen the problem of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS epidemic if there is no measure considered.

Table 1. Education and work situation of Thai youth aged 18 - 24

Source : The Office of National Statistics, 2000

3. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) is a government organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. It is responsible for enhancing stable farm occupations and improve the quality of rural life in both economic and social aspects for farm and rural populations, and one of its function is farm youth development. lts purposes on the young farmers extension are as follows :

1.    Preparing farm youth to be leaders in agriculture areas such as plant production, fisheries, animal husbandry and agricultural product processing.

2.    Developing new generation of rural community leadership.

3.    Assisting farm youth to take part in community activities as

3.1    Being core groups or centers of agricultural career network.

3.2    Creating income generating activities in communities.

3.3    Preserving natural resources and environment.

3.4    Protecting community's right and interests.

4. DOAE's work of farm youth development is carried out by supporting the activities of 4-H clubs. 4-H is an international farm youth organization originated in the USA and presently implemented in about 80 countries world wide. The first 4-H club in Thailand started in 1953. The highest number of 4-H clubs recorded was in 1993 when the number of clubs reached 6,640 clubs with a total of 144,984 members (Farm Youth Sub-division,1999). Each 4-H club contains at least 7 members. The club structure consists of committees, members and adviser(s). The committee for each club comprises a President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer and Receptionist or Public relation. The members of a Thai 4-H club are farm youth ranging in age between 10-35 years old.
5. The DOAE realizes problems encountering agricultural sector and young farmers, and exerts various efforts to improve the situation. One of them is the Project "Enhancement of Farm Youth Network for Agricultural Career" where the objectives of the project are

5.1    To increase productivity and work opportunity in the agricultural sector by instigating training, exchange programs and workshop.

5.2    To introduce farm youth to a wide range of agriculture related activities, network and essential knowledge to prepare them for self-development.

The elements of the project include workshop, agricultural activity improvement, exchange visits, and training programs. The project was funded US $ 10,555 by FAO.