Factors affecting the decision of sugarcane harvesting by burning before cutting method of farmers in Ban Kao sub-district, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Burning before cutting is a harvesting method that farmers have used for a long time affecting the environment. This research aimed to study the factors affecting the decision of sugarcane harvesting by burning before cutting in order to modify or find alternative methods that are safer and reduce environmental impact.
Methodology: Data were collected by using interviews with 173 farmers in Ban Kao sub-district, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factors affecting decision-making were analyzed using the chi-square test.
Main Results: Farmers were female with 50.87%, had an average age of 47.46 years, had a primary school education or less (53.18%), had an average of 15.99 years of experience in growing sugarcane, an average sugarcane growing area was 25.75 rai, used an average of 12.84 workers, and had an average income of 1,250.88 THB/ton, received news about sugarcane production through personnel (41.62%), and knew burning sugarcane at a high level (Mean 23.09). Farmers had decided to harvest sugarcane by using the method of burning sugarcane before cutting at a moderate level (Mean 1.89). Factors affecting the decision to harvest sugarcane by burning before cutting were exposure to news (P = 0.001), average yield (P = 0.049), and knowledge about burning before cutting sugarcane (P = 0.002).
Conclusions: Exposure to news, average yield, and knowledge about burning before cutting sugarcane affected the decision to sugarcane harvesting by burning before cutting. A problem found in sugarcane burning was due to sugarcane falling over. The findings of this research can serve as a guideline for decision-making in reducing sugarcane burning before cutting, which will result in better sugarcane quality and ensure safety for living organisms and the environment in Thailand in the long term.
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References
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