Factors Related to Farmers' Decision to Use Rice Seeds in Mueang District, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study 1) the socio-economic of farmers in Mueang district, Suphan Buri province 2) knowledge levels of farmers about rice seeds 3) marketing mix factors in farmers' selection of rice seed purchasing decision 4) problems and suggestions to used rice varieties 5) factors related to farmers' decision to use rice seeds. Data was collected from 400 farmers who were rice growers in 2023 in Mueang district, Suphan Buri province, using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and tested the hypothesis by Chi-Square.

The results showed that 1) Most of the population was female. Age average was 54.96 years, graduate at the primary school. They were experience in rice growing at the average of 22.39 years. Farmers chose to grow paddy rice as the main plant. The most popular variety was RD41. Rice growing area average was 22.69 rai. Most of them were rental places. Farmers used rice seeds rate at 28.94 kg. /rai.  Rice seeds sown in flooded field. The average cost of rice production was 4,562 Baht/rai. The average yield was 906kg./rai. The average selling price of the produce was 10,204 Baht/ton. The average return from growing rice was 4,731 Baht/rai, 2) The knowledge level of farmers is at a moderate level, 3) Marketing mix factors found that farmers gave important to high yields variety, followed by promotion, 4) The most common problems that farmers encounter were product problems including the quality and price of rice seeds, farmers needs government to controls quality, and market prices of rice seeds. and 5) Related factor to used rice varieties of farmers were planting objective, soil type, water source, rice seeds sellers, cost (rice seeds price), yields, knowledge level of farmers, and effect from people in the community. The factor was significant related to used rice varieties at 0.05 level.