Supporting from Large Scale Agriculture Extension System Project of Large Scale Rice Farmers in Saweangha District, Angthong Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) basic demographic 2) media exposure about plant production 3) getting support from large scale agriculture extension system project (LSAESP) and 4) the comparison among getting support from LSAESP classified by basic demographic of large scale rice farmers in Saweangha district, Angthong province. The sample size was 73 farmers. Data were collected by using a questionnaire and an in–depth interview. The statistical analyse were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, t–test and F–test. The results indicated that the large scale rice farmers were female 67.10% with an average age of 59.27 years old, graduated from primary school 82.20%, were farmer 100%, sold their agricultural products via shop and market buying central products 77.53%, experienced in agriculture 36.25 years on average and had an average planting area of 14.06 rai. Most large scale rice farmers had information exposure from people media through government officials/private agents (64.40%). The levels of getting and enough support from LSAESP on knowledge and advice on agriculture were high with an average score of 1.00 and 0.92, respectively. The farmers in large scale of rice were getting support from this project but were not enough on three aspects: 1) marketing links 2) government standard certification and 3) sourcing for purchasing products. The farmers with different land holdings were getting different support from LSAESP at a significance level of 0.05. The results of this research could be applied to develop the capability in producing plants and competition in the manufacturing sector according to the national development plan for other large scale agriculture.