Impact and coping of Young Smart Farmer, Northeast Thailand during COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact and response of Young Smart Farmers (YSF) in the Northeastern Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved data collection from YSF members across 20 northeastern provinces, with 6 participants from each province, resulting in a total of 120 individuals. Data was gathered between February 2021 and October 2022 through using questionnaires and brainstorming sessions. Analysis of the data employed descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings revealed that the average age of YSF members was 35.56 years, with 61.67 percent holding a bachelor's degree. Participants reported an average of 5.64 years of experience in agriculture, employing an average of 2.88 workers in their agricultural operations, and earning an average income of 311,091.67 baht from agricultural activities. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted YSF members, resulting in limited transportation convenience for 41.67 percent of respondents, and a negative effect on their income levels. While the income generated from sales was categorized as moderate for 39.17 percent of YSF members, there is a pressing need for strategic planning to enhance income potential. Additionally, many farmers faced challenges in selling their products, compounded by inadequate preparation for post-harvest management, leading to the spoilage of fresh produce. In response to these challenges, YSF members are coping by utilizing online platforms for sales and engaging with customer groups within their communities. They also explored processing agricultural products, which resulted in the development of new sales channels and the acquisition of new customer bases. Notably, the pandemic had a positive impact on some YSF members, as they experienced increased income from the production and sale of herbal products, such as Andrographis paniculata and Krachai. This shift prompted YSF members to expand their production capacity, source additional products, and innovate by processing herbs into new offerings,