Knowledge and Practices of Correctly Using Chemicals of Japanese Pumpkin Growers, Mon Ngoe Royal Development Project, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

This research aime; 1) to study the characteristics of basic personal data and socio-economic data of the Japanese pumpkin growing farmers, 2) to study the knowledge and practices on correct using of chemicals by the farmers, 3) to study the factors related to knowledge and practices on correct using of chemicals by the farmers and 4) to study the problems and suggestions on using of chemicals by the farmers. The samples used in the study consisted of 116 Japanese pumpkin growing farmers. The statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, minimum value, maximum value, standard deviation and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
The results of study revealed that: 1) It found that 52.49% of the farmers were males with average age of 41.18 years. The farmers have 9.31 year-experience in growing Japanese pumpkin. The size of growing area was average of 6.11 rais and average of 6.21 as workforce of growing Japanese pumpkin with a total income of 90,600 THB/year and an income of 6,844.73 THB/year outside the agricultural sector. A total household expense was 4,465.51 THB/month as well as a total of 68,978.49 THB remained debt obligation, and 1.21 of credit sources for growing the Japanese pumpkin, and 1.70 times/year of accessing the training, including 4.41 times/3 months of receiving the agricultural information. The most beneficial information source was from the Royal Project officials with an average of 2.58/3 months; 2) the farmers have had knowledge of agriculture at high level (mean = 80.17) and had correct and regular practices; 3) regarding the factors related to knowledge and practices on using chemicals by the farmers, it found that the experience on growing Japanese pumpkin was negative relation, and the number of growing area was positive relation under statistical significance (p<0.05) with correct using chemicals in practices by the pumpkin growing farmers and 4) The problems on using chemicals by the farmers were mixing the chemicals overload according the ratio described on the label, and spraying overload the frequency ratio according to defined label. After spraying the chemicals on the plots, it did not stick the label and marked the post for notifying the others knew that it was the area of just spraying the chemicals. The farmers’ suggestions concluded the training on using chemicals for prevention and eliminating the pest via sub-group should be organized and regular training should be made. For recommendation in this research revealed that the agricultural production officials as well as related persons should organize the training on knowledge and provide the suggestions pointing at the farmers who still had less knowledge as well as the impacts from toxic chemicals which the farmers have got in order to be awareness and bring into correct practice. If having promoted the agricultural technology on using the chemicals, it should provide the knowledge via the change-leader who has found involving the research in order to promote with the others.