Agroforestry Land Utilization for Head Watershed Conservation: A Case Study of Pak Song Subdistrict, Phato District, Chumphon Province

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate socio-economic characteristic of communities in the head watershed of Pak Song sub-district, Phato district, Chumphon province, their resource utilization, agro-forestry land use patterns, and factors contributing to agro-forestry land use for head watershed conservation. The studied samples included 323 households. Questionnaires were used to interviewed heads of households or community representatives.  The descriptive analysis was presented in the form of means, and percentage.  Hypothesis testing was based on correlation analysis and Chi-square test, with level of significance at 5 percent level.

The result showed that the 54.2% of population were female and 45.8% were male, aged between 25 - 29 years old. Agricuture constituted 98.8%.  About 52.9% of farming households owned land more than 20 rai, and 35.9% had gained access between 21-30 years.  The most common agro-forestry systems were integrated fruit trees and forest species, which accounted for 88.9%.  The studied households had knowledge and understanding, which rated at high level of 66.3%, of using agro-forestry for head watershed conservation of natural resources and environment. Correlation analysis of variables and chi-square test revealed that source of information, net income, education, and occupation were significantly contributing to agroforestry land use for head watershed conservation.