Decision making on planting local rice of farmers in Kud Chum district, Yasothon province

Abstract

This research aimed to study farmers’ opinions on their decision to planting local rice varieties. The data were collected from 90 farmers in Kud Chum District, Yasothon Province, using an interview schedule. The data were statistically analyzed, including percentage, average, maximum and minimum value, and standard deviation.  Farmers’ decision making on planting local rice varieties varied with farmers’ age, educational level, land size, number of labors, and household income when compared, using t - test statistic at the 95% confident level. The result showed that there were 13 varieties of local rice varieties grown, i.e., Red Jasmine Rice, Red Sticky Rice, Black Sticky Rice, Black Jasmine Rice, Dor Hang Hee Rice, Lou-Tak Rice, Chou-Dang Rice, Chou-Leaung Rice, San Pa Tong Rice, Nang Nual Rice, Khiew-Ngoo Rice, Sticky Jasmine Rice and Yein Karasin Rice. They were grown in the total area of 454.50 rai. An average planting area was 5 rai per household. Main objectives of growing local rice varieties were for both household consumption and for sale. Farmers planted and stored the rice seeds for their own use. The average income from local rice varieties was 10,111.10 baht per rai and the average selling price was 31.53 baht per kilogram. Key factor affecting farmers’ decision making on planting local rice was low selling price. Main factors affecting the decision to plant local rice varieties were: for consumption in the households, from their believes that local rice contain high nutrition value, availability of local rice seeds and their believes and tradition from their ancestors.  The analysis of t-test statistic showed differences in farmers’ age, level of education, land size, number of labors, and household income, have shown some statistically differences in farmers’ decision making on planting local rice varieties.