Practice of Agricultural Extension Worker in the New Dimension Agricultural Extension System (MRCF SYSTEM) in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) socio–economic attributes of agricultural extension worker; 2) practice in accordance with the system of new dimension of agricultural extension of the agricultural extension worker; 3) factors effecting practice in accordance with the system of new dimension of agricultural extension; and 4) problems encountered and suggestion about practice in accordance with the system of new dimension of agricultural extension. The sample group in this study consisted of 172 agricultural extension works in Chiang Mai province. A set of questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed by using descriptive statistics i.e. frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Multiple suggestion was also employed for an analysis.

            Results of the study revealed that most of the respondents were male, 42 years old on average, married, and bachelor’s degree holders. Their monthly income was 28,513 baht and their household debt was 351,396 baht on average. Their years of service was 14 years and they attended training once a year on average. They perceived information about agricultural extension through printed media, the respondents had a high level of knowledge and understanding about the system of new dimension agricultural extension but a moderate level of its practice. Factors effecting practice in accordance with the new dimension of agricultural extension system included age, assigned task, household debt, training, and social position of the respondents.

            The following were problems encountered and suggestions: 1) problem in program system (QGIS, gisagro, Faamis and inconstant speed of internet; 2) some areas were beyond title deed; 3) remote areas which could not access to social media; 4) expenses on communication between the agricultural extension worker and the farmer ; 5) farmers had a lot of task  with must be done every day ; 6) concerned  agencies lacked of participation; 7) an analysis of “area/people/product” was not in accordance with time span due to too many tasks ; and 8) unclear task. Therefore, the following were suggested: improvement of internet system; promotion of farmer to adoption communication technology; putting the importance on integrated operation among concerned agencies in the area; a continual holding a training for agricultural extension workers about the new dimension of agricultural extension