Input Factor Affecting Rice Seed Production in Thamai Sub-district, Nakhon Sawan Province, Lower Northern, Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this investigation were to determine existing condition of rice seed production in the study areas and also input factor affecting rice seed production. The 66–selected sample of rice farmers in Thamai sub-district, Chumsaeng district, Nakhon Sawan province was estimated using the formula developed by Arkin (1974) through multistage sampling technique. Data collection was obtained by interview schedule under closely observation and also in-depth discussion with key persons in the research site. Cobb-Douglas production function by means of ordinary least square (OLS) was employed to test the hypothesis of input factor affecting yield. The results revealed that most population in this community cultivated rice as major or minor occupation. The average number of owned land for seed cultivation was 3.36 hectares. Total seed cultivation land, accounting for 74.88% was farmers’ owned land that they received from their parents. These can reduce the risk in farming because of its their own land. The findings of OLS analysis confirmed that the positive combination input factors affecting rice seed production were fertilizer and rice seed land at the statistically significant level of 0.001 and 0.01, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.308.