Factors Affecting Hemp Production of Hmong Farmers in Khiri Rat Sub-district, Phop Phra District, Tak Province

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to study the personal, socio-economic characteristics, knowledge of hemp production, attitudes toward hemp production, and hemp production practices, as well as to identify factors affecting hemp production among Hmong farmers in Khiri Rat sub-district, Phop Phra district, Tak province. Data were collected via questionnaires from 180 Hmong farmers in February 2021 to June 2022, selected from a total population of 326 registered hemp growers through simple random sampling by lottery method. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Multiple Regression Analysis by Enter method. The results revealed that the majority of farmers were male (60.00%), all were married (100.00%), with an average age of 39.96 years. Most had completed upper primary education (63.30%). On average, households consisted of 3.86 members, with 3.16 agricultural laborers and 2.56 household laborers. The average annual household income was 225,666.66 Baht, while expenses averaged 210,000 Baht. Most farmers utilized capital from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (67.20%) and owned an average of 6.83 rai of farmland. The majority of the Hmong farmers served as village committee members (72.22%), and were members of agricultural groups (59.45%), attended agricultural training 2.13 times per year, received agricultural information regarding hemp growing 3.80 times per year, and had 14.20 years of experience in hemp production. Regarding their perceptions, all farmers possessed a high level of knowledge about hemp production (100.00%). Their overall attitude toward hemp production was at the highest agreement level (Mean = 4.76), and their hemp production practices were overall at the highest level (Mean = 4.91). Furthermore, the multiple regression analysis using the standard method at a significance level of 0.05 indicated that four factors significantly affected hemp production: Hemp production experience, participation in hemp production training, attitudes toward hemp production, and educational attainment.