Factors Related to Requirements for Technology Tools, Robots, and Automatic Systems for Oil Palm Plantation Management of Collaborative Farming in Krabi Province

Abstract

     This study aimed to characterize (1) basic personal Information socio - economic factors of oil palm farmers in Krabi province. (2) need for technology tools, robot, and automatic systems among farmers. (3) The relationship between basic personal Information, socio-economic factors, and need for technology tools, robots and automatic systems among farmers. The population group consisted of 2,716 collaborative farmers in Krabi province, with the sample group of 349 farmers. Data was collected by using questionnaires. Statistical analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, and correlation coefficient. The research findings revealed that the majority of farmers were male at average age of 50.21 years old with education levels below a bachelor's degree. The average income from farming was 29,100.28 Baht. Most of their capital comes from their own money to establish their oil palm plantations. The average experience in oil palm cultivation was 17.38 years and they hold an average agricultural land area of 35.35 Rai. The average household labor was about 3 people and hired labor was about 4 people. Farmers received information about agriculture from training provided by both the government and private sectors. The average income from oil palm cultivation was 465,632.36 Baht per year, while the average expenditure was 213,369.79 Baht per year. The relationship between basic personal Information, social and economic factors, and the need for technology tools, robots, and automatic systems among farmers was analyzed by using Pearson's correlation coefficient statistics. It was found that the level of education was negatively correlated with the need for technology tools, robots, and automatic systems in oil palm plantation management including planting (p = 0.000), maintenance (p = 0.001), and harvesting (p = 0.024). Additionally, the number of workers and income from oil palm plantations had a positive correlation with the demand for tools, robotics, and automation systems in maintenance (p = 0.019) significantly.