Perception and Decision Making on Choosing Factors for Crops Growing Selection Using Agri-Map of Farmers Ulok Subdistrict, Lamduans District, Surin Province

Abstract

The agri-map is an assisted technology for making decision of the farmers to grow the suitable crops in particular area, however, its use is still limited. Thus, the objectives of this research were: 1) to study the socio-economic and farming characteristics of farmers; 2) to study the farmers’ perception level and channels of agri-map; 3) to study the important level of decision making on choosing Factors for Crops Growing Selection (FCGS) according to agri-map and 4) to compare the socio-economic and farming characteristic with the important level of decision making on choosing FCGS using agri-map of the farmers in Uloke sub-district, Lamduan district, Surin province. The samples were 285 farmers in Uloke sub-district. Structured questionnaires were used as research instrument. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Data were analyzed using statistics package for social science.

It was found that the farmers mostly perceived agri-map information through community leader and television channels, respectively. Level of decision making on choosing FCGS using agri-map was indicated at high level. Community factor showed the highest mean of decision making. Comparison between the important level of decision making on choosing FCGS with socio-economic and farming characteristics were found that different genders affected the level of decision making on choosing different area, equipment, machinery and crop yield factors. Different ages influenced machinery, labor and community factors. Different marital status and gross monthly income had no effect on the level of decision making on choosing different crop growing factor. Different educational level affected the level of decision making on choosing different area, cost and labor factors. Different main occupations influenced the level of decision making on choosing different area, cost, labor, crop yield and community factors. Different current crop growing periods affected the level of decision making on choosing different area, cost, crop yield, government policies and community factors.