Factors Affecting the Organic Agriculture of Highland Farmers in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

     This study was conducted to investigate: 1) socio-economic attributes of farmers; 2) knowledge, attitudes, and readiness about organic agriculture of the farmers; 3) factors affecting the organic agriculture of highland farmer; and 4) suggestion about organic agriculture of the farmers. The sample group consisted of 276 highland farmers in Chiang Mai province and they were obtained by two-stage sampling. A set of questionnaires was used for data collection and analyzed by using descriptive statistics: frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis.
     Results of the study revealed that most of the respondents were male, 45 years old on average, single, and elementary school graduates or below. The respondents had 4 household members and 2 household workforces on average. They had 3.5 rai each of organic farm land with an income earned from it for 45,984 bath per year on average. They mainly grew vegetables and had 11 years of experience in organic farming. They were two group members in the community. The respondents contacted agricultural extension workers 6 time per year and attended an organic agriculture training once a year on average. The respondents received information about organic agriculture through various media 0.4 times a year on average. They had a high level of knowledge about organic agriculture and attitude towards  it. Also, they had a high level of readiness about organic farming. The following had a positive statistical significance level of an effect on organic agriculture: marital status, income earned from organic farming, agricultural extension worker contact, information perception about organic agriculture, attitude towards organic agriculture, readiness about organic farming, and knowledge about organic agriculture. However, the following were found to be negative: educational attainment, experience in organic farming and group member in the community. The following were problems encountered in organic farming of the respondents: their farmlands were in a reserved forest; lack of capital for purchasing needed materials and equipment; seedlings were expensive but not perfect; lack of knowledge about pest and disease management; yields did not meet standards required by the market; inconvenience in transportation; and inadequate marketing channels. The following were suggestion: revision of land title to the farmers; low interest capital support; extension of new knowledge and innovation for organic farming beginning with production, processing and marketing.