Decision – making on Using Bracon hebetor Natural Enemies for Prevention and Elimination Opisina arenosella Walker of Aromatic Juice Coconut Farmers in Ban Phaeo District, Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

Objectives of this research were to study 1) personal demographic characteristic data 2) the media exposure of agricultural information and knowledge on Opisina arenosella Walker and Bracon hebetor natural enemies, and 3) decision-making on using Bracon hebetor natural enemies for prevention and elimination Opisina arenosella Walker of 120 farmers in Ban Phaeo District, Samut Sakhon Province. Interview schedule was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics analysis included frequencies, percentage, minimum, maximum, and arithmetic mean. The results revealed that 1) most of farmers at 56.7 percent were female with average age of 59.0 years, they had primary school level of education at 65.0 percent, they had an average of 5 household members with 2 household labors, they had an average aromatic juice coconut growing experience at 16.1 years with average 14.2 rai of coconut field, they had an average of 3.6 years of experience in using Bracon hebetor natural enemies, and 86.7 percent were membership of Community-based Pest Management Centre, 2) all of farmers received the agricultural information from government extension officer, 96.7 percent from training, 60.0 percent via television, and 44.2 percent from the application Line, and also they had the knowledge on Opisina arenosella Walker and Bracon hebetor natural enemies at high level with average mean score 17.3 from the total score 20.0 points, and 3) farmers decided to use Bracon hebetor natural enemies for prevention and elimination Opisina arenosella Walker with analyzing the problem at 90.8 percent, searching the alternative at 70.0 percent, analyzing the alternative at 100.0 percent, and selecting the alternative at 90.8 percent. Therefore, in order to promote the use of Bracon hebetor natural enemies continuously, agricultural extension officers should transfer knowledge and create a correct understanding of the prevention and elimination Opisina arenosella Walker for famers. Through the training process, meeting, study visit to enable the learning process each other. And also, farmers could continue to apply the knowledge they have gained.