Nam-Hom Coconut Production for Exportation by Farmers in Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) personal, economic, and social fundamentals factors 2) knowledge of Nam-Hom coconut production 3) Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) on Nam-Hom coconut production for exportation 4) the relationship between personal, economic, social factors, and knowledge of the Nam-Hom coconut production for exportation by farmers in the Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province and 5) the problems and obstacles. The samples of this study were 335 farmers. The interviews were research instrument. The statistical analysis were frequency, mean, percentage, maximum, minimum, standard division and Chi-square. The research revealed that most of the farmers were male, the average age was 52.45 years. The education was at the high school. The household number were 3 people. The farmer had on farm experience at 8.37 years, with an average income was 52,752.24 Baht/rai/year, an average cost was 7,826.87 Baht/rai/ year by personal investment. The average number of household labors were 4 people. The average planting area were 9.97 Rai. The farmers received the training program from government agencies, received the most news and information via television. They had the most contact with agricultural extension officials via telephone. The farmers had knowledge on producing Nam-Hom coconut at a high level with an average of 20.46 score. The farmers were producing Nam-Hom coconuts according to the Good Agricultural Practice on producing at high level with an average score of 103.05 scores. The most problem on Nam-Hom coconuts production was faced the most disease and insects, followed by labor problem. The hypothesis testing found that age, educational level, number of household members, on farm experience, income, production costs, number of labors, media exposure, and contacting agricultural extension officials and area selection correlated with the production of Nam-Hom coconut for exportation at significance level of 0.01.