Management of Rice Straw Waste from Sang Yod Rice Production by Farmers Adhering to Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Standards in Phatthalung Province

บทคัดย่อ

     This research was to study 1) personal characteristics and socio-economic factors, 2) knowledge on utilization of rice straw waste, 3) needs for rice straw waste management, and 4) problems and suggestions of farmers on rice straw waste management. The sample was 180 farmers growing GAP rice. Data was collected by using questionnaires. The statistical techniques used were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square test. The results revealed that most Sang Yod rice farmers were female, with an average age of 62.78 years. The majority were married and had a primary educational level. The average rice cultivation area was 4.92 rai, with an average cultivation experience of 10.73 years. The average number of workers was 3 people. The average income was 11,711.39 Baht/year and had exposed news through various media and activities. Farmers' knowledge in managing rice straw waste was at a moderate level, with an average of 1.59. The management of rice straw waste involved plowing and using it as animal feed, with the percentage of 37.78 and 37.22. The need for rice straw waste management was found at a moderate level, with an average of 2.26. Hypothesis testing found that marital status and experience had a statistically significant relationship with the management of rice straw waste at the level of 0.05. Additionally, exposure to news by Sang Yod rice farmers was significantly related to the rice straw waste management at the 0.01 level. Problems and suggestions were found to be a lack of support from government agencies in managing rice straw waste.