Factors Affecting Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Agricultural Practices, Mae Ho Phra Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study 1) General background of personal, economic, social, knowledge and attitude towards organic farmers of farmers 2) factors affecting the farmer’s adoption of organic agriculture and 3) problems and recommendations of farmers in organic agriculture practice. The target population for the research was 368 farmers in Mae Ho Phra subdistrict, Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai province divided into 91 members who did the organic agriculture practice and 277 members who didn't applied the organic agriculture practice. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula of 192 members of farmers was divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 47 members who did the organic agriculture practice and the second group consisted of 145 members who didn't applied the organic agriculture practice. Data were collected by using interview schedule, and analyzed using statistical methods including descriptive statistics while farmers’ adoption was performed upon the results of logistic regression analysis. It was found that factors affecting farmers’ adoption in organic agriculture practice are statistically significant including 1) training on organic farming 2) knowledge of organic farming 3) attitudes towards organic farming 4) age 5) Agricultural Area 6) Number of agricultural labors and 7) time span of farming. Problems and constraints reported by farmers in organic agriculture practice include the issue of organic farming is difficult, lack of knowledge in organic agriculture practice, difficult in pest control, sources of organic produce are limited, Organic farming requires more time to taking care for plants, uncontrolled or follow organic farming procedure.