Receiving Extensions on Integrated Pest Management for Durian Farmers in Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Durian farmers in Mueang Ranong district, Ranong province, have problems with disease outbreaks and insect pests, so they use large amounts of pesticides. The objectives of this research were to study 1) farmers’ basic demographic and durian production, 2) receiving of extension toward integrated pest management, and 3) the opinion of problems and suggestions with extension of integrated pest management.
Methodology: The population of this research was 240 durian farmers in Mueang Ranong district, Ranong province, who registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension in 2022. The sample size was 150 durian farmers. The tool used was an interview form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation analysis.
Main Results: The results indicated that 65.3% of farmers were male, with an average age of 51.93 years, and the average experience in growing durian was 8.54 years. The average durian production cost in 2022 was 13,628.57 baht per year. Received extension of integrated pest management on average 2 times per year. Received extension for farmers was through personal media (Agricultural extension officer) at the moderate level (Average 2.97). The agricultural extension method was training at a high level (Average 3.41). Farmers had problems with pest management through chemical use, including a lack of funds to buy chemicals.
Conclusions: The average age was 51.93 years. Pest management still relied on chemicals. Agricultural extension officers had an important role in encouraging farmers to use integrated pest management and pushing farmers to reduce the use of chemicals.