Farmers’ Acceptance on Longan Production Technology in Khuang Pao Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

     The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) socio-economic attributes of longan farmers; 2) the farmer adoption of longan growing technology; 3) relationships between the farmer adoption of longan growing technology and various factors; and 4) problems encountered and suggestions of the farmers. The sample group consisted of 132 longan farmers in Khuang Pao Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province. A set of questionnaires was used for data collection and analysed by using descriptive statistics / multiple regression analysis.
     Results of the study revealed that most of the respondents were male, 57 years old on average, elementary school graduates and below, and married. They had 3 rai of longan growing area per household and 2 household workforce on average. The could earn an income from longan for 59,295 baht per household per year on average. Most of the respondents were members of an agricultural institute and they contacted agricultural extension workers twice a year. They perceived agricultural news information 22 times per month on average. The respondents had 17 years of experience in longan growing and they attended training/educational trip once a year on average. It was found that the respondents had adopted longan growing technology at a high level. Factors effecting the adoption of longan growing technology with a statistical significance level included sex and agricultural news/information production.
     The problems encountered, this involved high production costs, a low price of longan and prolonged drought. The following were suggestions of the respondents; concerned government should find a measure to make the longan price be high; chemicals used for longan growing should have a lower price than before to reduce production costs; an increase in the knowledge dissemination about quality longan growing; and preparation to deal with drought condition