Agricultural extension and development model for farmer council movement in Udon Thani province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) A study opinions on agricultural extension situation in Udon Thani province 2) A comparison of operational characteristics of farmer council, Udon Thani province according to quality organization approach and 3) the development of agricultural extension and development model by farmer council, Udon Thani province. This research was a mixed research of quantitative and qualitative researches. The population in this study was classified into 4 groups including 1)farmer council committees 2) related network associates in Udon Thani province 3)general farmers and 4)farmer council members by collecting the entire population of 28 farmer council committees and 33 network associates by using stratified random sampling method .Other samples of 330 general farmers and 330 members of farmer council members were collected by conducting structured interview. Data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis and Independent t-test. In regards to qualitative research method, it determined the main informants to be 11 experts on farmer council in Udon Thani province through group discussion. The data was later analyzed using content analysis. The results of the study showed that  1) agricultural extension situation in Udon Thani province found out that farmer council committees  had overall opinions towards agricultural extension of Udon Thani province at the low level ( = 2.22) while the network associates had opinions towards agricultural extension of Udon Thani province at the moderate level  ( = 2.65). However, both two groups had the same sub-opinion at the moderate level on the forms of agricultural production extension.  In regards to general farmers and farmer council members expressed their opinions towards agricultural extension of Udon Thani province, overall, at the moderate level and the opinions on the sub-opinion at the high level were on agricultural product management 2) the characteristics of the operations of farmer council, Udon Thani province according to quality organization. In the comparison with the opinions towards the operations of farmer council, Udon Thani province between farmer council committees and network associates revealed that there were .05 statistically significant values on the agricultural extension and development policies and strategies. 3) Agricultural extension and development models through farmer council movement in Udon Thani province consisted of 1. Taking the organization to focus on agricultural development; developing new knowledge. 2. Strategic planning conforms to the quality of life of farmers and the organizational development 3. Focus on farmers, the information accessibility of farmers, and the support giving. 4. The measurement, analysis, information management, information technology extension, and the impact consideration on environment .5. The focus on human resources, human resource development of farmer council so that they will be ready for operations, love and loyal to the organization. 6. Process management, operational movement based on learning and participation. 7. Operation performances; the determination of the identifiers for operation performance.