Farmer’s Adoption of Tobacco Production Technology in Nongbok District, Khammouane Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to study 1) the characteristics of basic personal and socio-economic; 2) farmers adoption of tobacco production technology; 3) factors affecting to farmers adoption of tobacco production; and 4) problems and suggestions about tobacco production. The questionnaire was created to collect data from a sample of 182 farmers. Statistical techniques were used for frequency, percentage, mean, arithmetic mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation and multiple regression.

            Result of the research revealed that the majority of farmers (64%) were male with average age of 51 years, married, and finished primary education. The farmers had an average 7 of family members,         5 household workforces, and 0.38 hectare of tobacco production area, agricultural income earned 22,098 Baht/year Amount of household debt 11,352 Baht. They perceive information of farming is 8 times, contracted with agricultural staffs an average of 3 times. Participated in agricultural tradition activities and participate in training/education trips on average 2 times per year. The farmer has experience on tobacco production 20 years on average and almost was member of agricultural organization. However, the farmers’ adoption tobacco production technology, all the average on a high level. The factors effecting to farmer’s adoption were three factors such as participate of agricultural training, education level and labor of production. The problems of the tobacco production was found that 1) soil erosion due to area slope, 2) Costs and inputs for production were high, especially labor, fertilizers and pesticides costs. 3) Tobacco yield was affected by natural disasters such as drought and flooded, and 4) Price of tobacco was quite low. Therefore, the farmers suggested to related agencies should promote and develop tobacco production by 1) provide sufficient water sources during the beginning of tobacco planting, 2) should be prepared to protecting with natural disasters, 3) provide knowledge on tobacco production cost and marketing analysis and method to prevent disease and insect pests properly; and 4) should be solution to the problem of high production costs and the low price of tobacco in the short and long term.