Factors Affecting the Adoption of Soil and Water Management Innovations by Rice Farmers in Doem Bang Nang Buat District, Suphan Buri Province

Abstract

       This research aims to examine farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, perceived effectiveness, perceived ease of use innovations, the level of adoption, and factors influencing the adoption of soil and water management innovations among rice farmers in Doem Bang Nang Buat district, Suphan Buri province, Thailand. Data were collected from 110 rice farmers using structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that farmers perceived the effectiveness of soil and water management innovations at a high level (= 3.71), while the perceived ease of use of the innovations ranged from moderate to high. The overall level of innovation adoption was moderate ( = 3.15). The results of the stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived ease of use was a significant factor influencing innovation adoption (p < 0.05) explaining 55.60% of the variance in adoption. Among these factors, laser land leveling exerted the strongest influence on adoption (β = 0.42), followed by the ease of rice straw and stubble management (β = 0.41), integrated pest management (β = 0.31), alternate wetting and drying practices (β = 0.19), and fertilizer application based on soil analysis (β = 0.15), respectively. A key finding revealed that although laser land leveling involves higher costs and greater complexity than other innovations, it had the highest level of influence on adoption. These findings suggest that policy interventions should prioritize the development and promotion of user-friendly soil and water management innovations, along with the provision of shared infrastructure at the large-scale farming group level. In addition, agricultural extension efforts should emphasize practical learning, on-farm demonstrations, and knowledge transfer approaches appropriate for elderly farmers.