Participation in the Conservation of Local Wisdom on Agriculture of Farmers in Mae Faek Municipality, Sansai District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore: 1) socio-economic attributes of farmers; 2) level of farmer participation in the conservation of local wisdoms on agriculture 3) factors related to farmers participation in the conservation of local wisdoms on agriculture; and 4) problems encountered and suggestions of the farmers. The sample group consisted of 278 farmers in Mae Faek municipality, Sansai district, Chiang Mai province. A set of questionnaires was used for data collection and analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

            Results of study revealed that most of the respondents were female, 54 years old on average, elementary school graduates or lower, and married. The respondents had 3 household members and 2 workforces on average. They had 3.30 rai of farm land and 63,284.17 baht of income from the agricultural sector and 118,288.95 baht of loans. Most of the respondents perceived news/information about the conservation of local wisdoms on agriculture 3 times a month and they contacted agricultural extension workers once a year on average. Most of them did not have social position and had experience in agricultural training/education trip twice a year on average. They had been living in Mae Faek for 37.71 years on average. As a whole the respondents participated in the conservation of local wisdoms on agriculture at a moderate level. Based on its details, they gained benefits from the participation most. This was followed by suggestions of a good way out and decision making, practice and operation, and monitoring/assessment, respectively. Factors associated with the participation in the conservation of local wisdom on agriculture of farmers were statistically significant: gender, income from the agricultural sector, experience in agricultural training/education trip and period of living in the community.

            The following were problems encountered: 1) the respondents did not have enough time; 2) concerned agencies lacked of public relations; 3) the respondent did not clearly gain benefits form the participation; and 4) there was no participation in activity planning. Therefore, development agencies should prepare effective public relations particularly to target groups. The activity planning should be prepared in advance in the year. Also, it should have promotion and extension of knowledge about the conservation of local wisdom on agriculture to the community