Needs for Extension on Local Lanna Home Garden Cultivation of Farmers in Sansai District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

This study aimed to explore socio-economic, needs, and factors effecting farmers’ needs for extension on local lanna home garden cultivation. Problems and barrier encounter, suggestions about plant local lanna cultivating extension. This quantitative study was consisted of 375 farmers in Sansai district area as a sample group. Questionnaire for data collection. Obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions analysis.

            From research finding, it was found that most of the informants were female, 50 years old on average, and elementary school graduates. They had 4 family members, 1 family member of schooling age, and 3 household workforces on average. The informants had a household income for 13,816.80 Baht per month on average. They had a household land area covering 9.6 rai on average. They had received agricultural information 25 times per month and contact agricultural extension workers once a month on average. They had participated of agricultural activities 2 times per year, village traditional activities 2 times per year on average and training and field trip 3 times per year. They had experience growing plant for 16.8 years on average and most had a high level of knowledge and understanding about the plant local lanna cultivating.  Findings showed that the farmers in Sansai district had a high level of needs for extension of the plant local lanna cultivating. Factor effecting of the wanting for extension of the plant local lanna cultivating of the farmer: family member, family labor member, family income, contact agricultural extension officer, training and field trip and experience in plant plantation of farmers.

            Regarding problems encountered, the following were found: 1) diseases and insect pests damaged the agricultural products, 2) less water and not enough for agriculture in dry season. 3) price of agricultural product was fallen and 4) the farmers lacked knowledge or skill about planting and disease and insect pest management. Therefore, the farmers’ suggestions were; training should be provided on the disease and insect pest management, fermented bio-extract production and agricultural products processing, irrigation planning, support for farmers group and there should be a continuous market for the agricultural products.