Agricultural Standard Components Affecting the Extension Needs of Pineapple Production for Export by Farmers in Northern Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of the study were; 1) to examine the basic attributes and production process of pineapple farmers; 2) to analyze the components of agricultural standards extending pineapples production for export; 3) to investigate the components of agricultural standard affecting the farmers’ needs of pineapple production for export. This mixed-method research employed an in-depth interviews for qualitative data collection with 7 key informants who involved in pineapple production for export and were selected by purposive sampling. In addition, questionnaire was administered to 660 pineapple farmers for quantitative data collection. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.

It was found that most of pineapple famers were male with an average age of 45 years old. The pineapple production, on average, deployed 6 workers with the average production budget of 26,076.97 Baht per year, and the average profit of 17,152 Baht per rai. The study examined the variables of extension needs among farmers involving in pineapple production for export through in-depth interviews with key informants which included 29 variables. The factor analysis was correlated to minimize the variables and formulate the components of extension needs that consisted of 4 components of agricultural standard affecting the farmers’ needs of pineapple production for export; i.e. 1) management of quality pineapple production for export; 2) sanitation and hygiene measures during the of packing pineapple for export; 3) quality requirements and tolerance criteria for pineapple export; and 4) safe production of pineapple for export. The results may serve as a guideline for promoting farmers to produce high quality pineapples, safe for consumers, pest-free, and standard compliance with regulations of the destination country and export without being rejected for importation by the destination country.