Farmer’s Adoption on Dry-Season Rice Production Technology in Kheuang Municipality, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

     The objectives of the study were to investigate: 1) farmer’s adoption of technology for dry-season rice production; 2) factors affecting to farmer’s adoption of technology; and 3) problems and suggestions of the farmers about dry-season rice production in Kheuang municipality, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province. A set of questionnaires were used for data collection from 237 farmers who produce dry-season rice. Obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic (frequency, mean, percentage, standard deviation) and inferential statistic (enter regression analysis).

     Results of the study showed that most of the respondents were male, 55 years old on average, elementary school graduates, and married. 2.17 rai of dry-season rice production area on average, total income earned from dry-season rice production 74,206.7 baht on average, an average debt of 127,333.3 baht per household, 2 household workforce, and most farmers are members of agricultural institutions. The farmers contacted agricultural extension staff once a year, perceive information on dry-season rice production from media though television and radio, 12 years of dry-season rice production experience, the farmer participated in agricultural training/educational trips three a year. The farmer’s adoption though dry-season rice production technologies, all the average on a highest level. The factors affecting to farmer’s adoption dry-season rice production technology in a positive statistically significant, including the age of rice production area, amount of debt and number of receiving agricultural information; and negative statistically significant, including income from dry-season rice production and dry-season rice production experiences.

     The following were problems encountered of dry-season rice production: 1) lack of knowledge in long-term drought management; 2) intensifying and extending the outbreak of diseases, weeds and pests in rice; and 3) responsibility for higher rice production costs. Therefore, the farmers suggested to the government agencies in following: 1) should support important production factors such as quality rice seed and materials for maintenance soil and rice plants; 2) should organize training program on cost reduction in dry-season rice production, especially in the process of preventing and eliminating weeds and pests; and 3) should encourage the dry-season rice production by focusing on the participation of farmers in formulating plans and creating more projects.