Knowledge and information needs for business bamboo production among farmers in Chonburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) examine the production status of bamboo-based agribusiness among farmers, (2) explore their knowledge and information needs related to bamboo production, and (3) identify the desirable characteristics of a Digital Community Learning Center for Bamboo-Based Agribusiness from farmers’ perspectives. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data through questionnaires and qualitative data through focus group discussions. A total of 30 participants were purposively selected from bamboo farmers and entrepreneurs in Chonburi Province who voluntarily participated in the study. The research instruments were validated for content accuracy by five experts. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics—frequency, percentage, and mean—while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results revealed that 60% of participants were male and 40% were female, aged between 35 and 70 years, with an average age of 51.1 years. Twenty participants were bamboo producers, while ten were bamboo-related entrepreneurs without cultivation experience. Most households relied mainly on 1–5 family laborers, with occasional hired workers. The main production challenges were financial constraints, land conditions, labor shortages, and insufficient knowledge and information. Farmers expressed eight major knowledge and information needs: (1) bamboo varieties, (2) propagation, (3) cultivation, (4) maintenance, (5) harvesting (shoots, seedlings, culms), (6) processing, (7) marketing, and (8) business-oriented production improvement through experienced practitioners. Farmers emphasized that the Digital Community Learning Center should provide comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date content covering all production stages in a concise and easily understandable format. The platform should include clear visuals, be accessible via multiple devices, and offer a simple search system. The study suggests that the center should promote participatory learning, two-way communication, and knowledge exchange between farmers and stakeholders to enhance production quality, improve market opportunities, and strengthen the sustainability of bamboo-based agribusiness.