Participation of Farmers in Sampran Model in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

This research was conducted to study basic demographic characteristics, socio– economic data, knowledge on organic farming, opinion on organic farming, participatory of farmers, and problem on organic farming. Data were collected from 101 farmers who were group member in Sampran Model by using interview schedule. Statistical analysis was carried out by frequency, percentage, maximum score, minimum score and arithmetic mean. The results revealed that most of farmers were male (56.4%), their average age was 48.51 years, and received Bachelor’s degree (30.7%). Farmers had average organic farm area as 12.30 rais, average farm experience was 16.30 years, average experience in organic farming was 4.40 years, and membership status was member (82.1%). Their knowledge on principle of organic farming was at the high level (94.1%) with average point was 18.13 from 20 points, and also on the aspects of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) was at the high level (99.0%) with average point was 17.14 from 19 points. Their opinion towards role of group leader was at the high favorable level (mean 2.54). Most of them participated in term of thinking, decision making, implementation, share benefits, and evaluation in group process on group formation aspect (62.4%), operation aspect (98.0%), and supervision and termination aspect (89.1%). Top three of the problem derived from farmer included consumers perception on organic agriculture (50.5%), marketing communication on organic farming aspects (40.6%) and knowledge development for farmer group member (37.6%). So there should be a promotion of organic awareness for consumers, and also provide PGS knowledge on the participant’s organic farming system.