Farmers’ needs for extension on Phulae pineapple production in Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study factors affecting the need to promote Phulae pineapple production in Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province, using an interview form as an instrument to collect data from a sample group of Phulae pineapple farmers in Ban Du Sub district and Mae Yao Sub district, 145 cases. The result showed that farmers were male, with an average age of 54.90 years old at the primary school level. The average experience in growing pineapple was 11.50 years. Most farmers had a distribution channel for pineapples through intermediaries. The average area for cultivating pineapples was 13.23 Rai, and they used self-funding to cultivate them. In 2021, farmers earned an average income of 22,516.55 baht per production cycle from selling pineapples. Farmers received news about growing pineapple from neighboring farmers, but most needed contact with agricultural extension officers. In this regard, farmers have a low level of knowledge for pineapple production ( =1.52) and a low level of knowledge transfer through agricultural extension methods ( = 1.40). However,   farmers face problems with low prices and funding for pineapple production. In addition, there are factors that affect farmers' need for knowledge in Phulae pineapple production (Y₁) and the source of funds for cultivation. The dependent variable has a positive relationship, with statistical significance at the 0.01 level. Additionally, age and production quantity have a negative relationship with the dependent variable, with statistical significance at 0.05, respectively. Regarding the factors that influence demand, the knowledge transferred through agricultural extension methods (Y₂) revealed the source of funds for cultivation has a positive relationship with the dependent variable at a statistical significance of 0.01 and age has a negative relationship with the variable according to statistical significance at the 0.01 level.