Factors Related to Attitude on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of Rice Farmers in Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the personal Information, economic and social status, and factors related to an attitude toward the sufficiency economy philosophy of farmers in Songkhla province. The research method was based on structural interview. The participants of the sample were 160 farmers who are the customers of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. The data were collected from 11th January,2015 to 15th February, 2015. The finding revealed that most of the farmers were female, average age 55 years old, leaving school after finish primary level. Their average income was 17,468 baht per month, and their average expense was 13,795 baht per month. Most of them have known about the sufficiency economy philosophy from the television. Their attitude toward the sufficiency economy philosophy was significantly positive, especially what was claimed that the sufficiency economy philosophy principle could make them have enough food to consume all year. The hypothesis testing found that levels of education and types of media positively correlated with the farmers’ attitude at the level of 0.05. Therefore, the government and private agencies should publicize information about the sufficiency economy philosophy through the varied media which can interest and access the farmers so that it can create more positive attitude about the suf-ficiency economy philosophy to the farmers. In addition, the community leaders also need continually developing their potential to have knowledge, understanding, and positive attitude toward the sufficiency economy philosophy in order to impart its principles to the people in the community to be applied in their careers or their everyday lives effectively.