Factors affecting vegetable growers’ adoption of Good Agricultural Practices in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

This research aimed to study factors influencing the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among vegetable growers in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Data were collected from 240 vegetable growers using a structured interview between November and December 2023. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, and standard deviation were employed, while multiple regression analysis was also performed. Results showed that most vegetable growers were male, averaging 51.09 years, having completed upper secondary education. They had an average of 24.55 years of vegetable farming experience and 3.74 family members as farm laborers. In 2023, the vegetable growers had an average income of 68.85 million kips (approximately 108,094 baht) from vegetable farming. Their average cultivation area was 19.18 rai, with an average cost of 2.09 million kips/rai (about 3,284 baht/rai). All vegetable growers used personal capital for vegetable farming and sold the produce through intermediaries. They received information from an average of 2.35 channels and government support for 1.70 channels. Regarding GAP knowledge, it was found that vegetable growers' knowledge was at a high level ( = 18.74), but GAP practices were at a moderate level ( = 1.67), with R²= 0.266. Factors significantly affecting GAP adoption at P < 0.01 were information sources and government support. Therefore, relevant government agencies should create diverse and exciting GAP-related information to disseminate via various channels such as training and social media. They should also support vegetable growers in various forms, such as training on plant diseases and protection and GAP demonstrations. These actions would help vegetable growers address problems they are currently facing while boosting their confidence in applying GAP. In addition, the relevant government agencies should seek the causes of low practices in certain aspects of GAP to plan and develop GAP extension to be more effective.