Factors Affecting Rice Seed Production of Members of the Community Rice Center Group in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

     This research aimed to: 1) Study the basic personal, economic, and social characteristics of members of the community rice center group. 2) Examine the level of knowledge and practices of community rice center group members in rice seed production. 3) Investigate the factors affecting the practices in rice seed production of community rice center group members. 4) Explore the problems, obstacles, and recommendations in rice seed production of community rice center group members. The sample consisted of community rice center group members in Hang Dong district, Chiang Mai province, obtained by random sampling totaling 190 individuals. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a 95% reliability level. The statistics used for data analysis were descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, which included selective regression analysis. The duration of the research was in the year 2023.

     The study found that most members of the community rice center group were male, with an average age of 66.30 years, married, and had completed primary education. The average number of members in a household was 3, with an average of 2 persons working on rice seed production. The average income from rice seed production was 41,047 Baht per year, with other incomes averaging 33,016 Baht per year. The average land area for rice seed production was 6.97 acres. On average, members received information 2.8 times per month, attended training once a month, and had been members of the community rice center for 9 years. The average level of knowledge on rice seed production was found to be low, while the average practice of rice seed production following the rice seed production process of the community rice center group members was at a moderate level. There were three variables affecting the rice seed production of community rice center group members, namely income from rice seed production, area for rice seed production, and knowledge in rice seed production, which were significantly correlated at the 0.01 and 0.05 level, accounting for 18.8% of the variation in the dependent variable. The problems encountered were insufficient water systems, issues with harvesting and reducing moisture in rice seeds. Community rice center members suggested that responsible agencies should plan the allocation of irrigation water to meet the needs of cultivation, and support various agricultural equipment, especially for reducing the moisture content of rice seeds.