Factors Affecting Farmer’s Adoption of Riceberry Production Innovation in Suphanburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study personal characteristics, riceberry production cost,
health attitude to riceberry of farmers, adoption of riceberry production innovation, factors affecting the
adoption of riceberry production innovation in Suphanburi provinceand problems. Data were collected
from 155 farmersby structured interviews. The statistical method for data analysis were frequency,
percentage, mean and stepwise multiple regression analysis for hypothesis test. The results showed that
most farmers were male, the average age of 50.97 years old, graduated from elementary level (Pratom 4).
The experience in rice cultivation was average 25.88 years and experience in riceberry growing was
average 2.26 years. Size of growing riceberry was average 7.20 rai. Family members were average 4.25
persons. Family members that grew riceberry were average 1.89 persons. Annual income of family was
average 245,402.26 THB/year. Income from riceberry paddy production was average 13,192.52 THB/rai/
crop and income from milled riceberry was average 43,436.13 THB/rai/crop. Riceberry paddy price was
average 10.74 THB/kg. Milled riceberry price was average 70.26 THB/kg. Most of farmers sold riceberry
by themselves and they have their own logo. Most of farmers were group members. Farmer attitude towards
riceberry for health was at the moderate level (Grand mean 3.15). The wet seeded riceberry production
cost was average 4,586.42.THB/rai/crop. Farmers accepted riceberry productioninnovation rapidly (87.7
percent). The purposes of riceberry production were for household consumption and for sale. Reason
for riceberry growing was good health property. Sources of seed were from Lopburi Rice Research Center.
Seed rate for cultivation was average 13.35 kg/rai. Most of them grew riceberry by following wet seeded
rice production pattern both in and off season rice field. Mung beans were grown after riceberry harvesting.
Most of land were plain - plain drainage and the areas were mostly sandy loam. Most of them used water
from irrigation. Farmers used organic fertilizer on average 69.72 kg/rai. They used herbal for manage pests
after planting. They used labor for manage weeds after planting. They harvested by rice harvesting tractor
on average 126.12 days. Paddy yield was average 605.16 kg/rai. Growing problem was the inadequate
water supply. Problem of cost was the high wage of labor. Compensation problem was price volatility.
The results revealed that there were8 variables affecting farmer’s adoption of riceberry production innovation
included 1) method of selling to rice mill 2) paddy prices (THB/kg) 3) experience of growing rice (years)
4) experience.of.growing riceberry (years) 5) method of selling rice by owner 6) income from growing
riceberry (THB/rai/crop) 7) gender and 8) costs of riceberry production (THB/rai/crop) which were statistical
significance (p < 0.05).