The Feasibility of Growing Organic Maize of Farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

Currently, maize farmers still apply a lot of chemicals, affecting the organic meat production industry. Therefore, it is necessary to change the pattern of growing maize to meet organic standards. This research, therefore, attempts to study basic information, feasibility and various factors relating to the feasibility of growing organic maize. The opinions of animal feed manufacturing companies regarding problems, obstacles, and suggestions for farmers growing organic maize were also considered. Data were collected through interview schedule with 181 maize farmers from 6 districts in Nakhon Sawan province. In addition, a set of questions was also employed for 3 representatives from private animal feed production companies in Nakhon Sawan Province. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics and rationale content analysis. The results revealed that most farmers (51.90%) were female with an average age of 56.90 years were married (70.70%), had completed primary school (54.10%), had an average household income of 179,143.64 Baht per year, and owned 22.31 rai of maize growing area on average. They had the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives as a source of funds (50.30%), and attended training on organic farming systems (53.00%). Most farmers used both their own land and rented land (37.60%) and had experience in growing maize for 13.73 years on average. The farmers’ attitude (=3.20), and knowledge and understanding of organic agriculture (97.80%) were at a moderate level. Moreover, most farmers agreed on growing organic maize at a high level (=3.52), and overall, the feasibility of growing organic maize was at a high level (=3.93). Meanwhile, four factors were found to be related to the feasibility of growing organic maize namely: educational attainment, attitudes, opinions, and knowledge and understanding of growing organic maize. However, farmers seriously needed support for the implementation of groundwater access, insect pest prevention, and a guaranteed purchasing price to alleviate problems related to water insufficiency, pests, and increasing production costs.