A comparison of socio-economic characteristics of farmers adoption of Stone Jatropha (Vernicia montana) cultivation in northern, Lao PDR

บทคัดย่อ

The objective of this study was to compare the different inherent socio-economic characteristics among Stone Jatropha (Vernicia montana) adopters in Xiengnguen district, Luangprabang province, Lao PDR. They can be classified into four groups; early adopter, majority adopter, late adopter and non-adopter. The study was carried out on 67 adopters and 89 non-adopters. The study examined the land utilization, personal factors, physical factors and economic factors. These data were collected using a structured questionnaire and descriptive statistics such as means and percentage. Results showed that land utilization for Stone Jatropha cultivation was highest in the majority adopter group (0.54 ha), while the late adopter and the early adopter utilized about 0.46 ha and 0.42 ha, respectively. Non-adopter group used the land mostly for cash crop, main crop, livestock and orchard production. As well as personal household characteristics of all adopter groups; age, gender and number of household members were higher than that of non-adopters. Approximately 34.80-50.80% of all adopters and non-adopters studied at least at primary school educational level. Husband was a key decision maker in adopters group with the percentage in this group being higher than that of non-adopters. Most of adopter and non-adopter groups were Lao Keamu and their main occupation was agriculture. The early adopters had larger land holding than did majority adopters, late adopters and non-adopters. Additionally, the adopters had higher average household income (8,213.40 $USD) than did non-adopters (3,477.70 $USD). About 83.10% of the non-adopters did not trust buyer, while half of early adopters having complete trust in the buyers.