A Study and Development of Farmers’ Life Skill and Happiness Indicators in Chiang Mai

Abstract

The purposes of this research were; 1) to study the farmers’ contexts and develop the farmers’ life skill and happiness indicators; 2) to assess the farmers’ life skill and happiness indicators; and 3) to develop the extension model for enhancing the farmers’ life skills and happiness. In this research and development, the literature was systematically reviewed on the related concepts, theories, and research in Thai and international studies in order to develop the indicators and the models for enhancing the farmers’ life skills and happiness. Then the drafted indicators and models were evaluated on completeness and correctness by 15 participants who were farmer representatives and experts in agriculture in Chiang Mai. Purposive sampling was used to select the sample participants. The research instruments included an assessment form with the index of item objective congruence at 0.702, an interview, with the index of item objective congruence at 0.869, and a focus group. The results showed that there were 10 suitable indicators in total for the farmers’ life skills and happiness. The life skills indicators consisted of 39 variables in 3 areas: occupation, group operation and network connection, and learning. Meanwhile, the happiness indicators consisted of 26 variables in 7 aspects: physical happiness, mental happiness, happiness in knowledge seeking, happiness in having a good job, happiness with income and being debt-free, happiness in a good family, and happiness in society. In the extension of the model, the agricultural scholars, knowledgeable people, and model farmers implemented the model through education about the correct life skills and happiness development through online media channels such as mobile phones, LINE, and Facebook as well as offline media such as talks, training sessions, and meetings. These activities will benefit farmers, agricultural extension officers, and related agencies.