The Potential Development of Community Pest Management Center Members: A Case of Kram Community Pest Management Center, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, Thailand

Abstract

       The objectives of study were to: 1) find potential in the current pest management of the Community Pest Management Center members in Kram sub-district, Krang district, Rayong province; 2) find needs for potential development of the Community Pest Management Center member; 3) develop the potential in pest management of the member; and 4) assess results of the potential development. The sample group consisted of 32 members of the Community Pest Management Centers who had been members of the center for at least one year. A set of questionnaires and quiz of knowledge and skills were used for data collection. Obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and T-test.

         Results of the study revealed that the respondents had a low level of knowledge and skills in sustainable pest management (𝛘=2.34 and 2.83, respectively). Also, they had a low and very low level of survey and monitoring the pest situation (𝛘=2.44 and 1.77, respectively) and increasing production of natural enemies and biological products for pest control (𝛘=2.47 and 2.46, respectively). The respondents agreed to choose to develop agricultural potential for sustainable pest management. This could be done by using the process of the Farmer Field School under the Royal Initiative. There were 4 topics of the participation in knowledge transfer: 1) creating a calendar of mangosteen care for a period of one year; 2) introduction to identification of pests and natural enemies; 3) integrated pest management; and 4) agro-ecosystem analysis. There was theoretical and practical learning at the sametime. Findings showed that the respondents had a moderate level of the potential after the development of sustainable pest management in terms of knowledge and skills (𝛘=3.34 and 3.76, respectively). According to a comparison of results of the development, the respondents had increased knowledge and skills with a statistical significance level (P<0.05).