Avocado Production in Good Agricultural Practices of Farmers in Maetho and NongKhiaw Royal Project Development Center

Abstract

     This study aimed to investigate: 1) Socio-economic attributes of farmers; 2) knowledge about good practice of avocado production of the farmers; 3) a level of good practice of avocado production of the farmers; 4) factors effecting good practice of avocado production; and 5) problems encountered and suggestions about good practice of avocado production at The Royal Project Development Center of Maetho and Nong Khiew. A set of questionnaires was used for data collection administered with a sample group of 144 farmers growing avocado. Findings shoed that most of the respondents were male, 44 years old on average, elementary school graduates and below, married and their an average yearly income was 265,946 baht. Most of them used their own experience in planting avocado and had a high level of knowledge about good practice of avocado production (92.10%). This was in terms of the following: water source, planting area, use of agricultural hazardous substances, quality management and production process prior to harvest, harvest and postharvest practice, produce suspension, personal hygiene, and data recording. Factors effecting good practice of avocado production were: capital source, news about avocado production from various media, experience in avocado production and knowledge about good practice of avocado production. Problems encountered were: 1) water source management in the dry season which needed the assistance of technology and 2) knowledge and understanding about use of chemicals in the good agriculture practice system.