Factors Influencing Arabica Coffee Production and Extension for Sustainable Agriculture : A Case Study of Huai Tadt Muser Village, Inthakin Sub-district, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research aimed to investigate factors influencing the sustainable agriculture with arabica coffee as the permanent tree basis. This studied carried out at Huai Tadt Muser village, Inthakin sub-district, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai province. The population studied were 32 Muser families who cultivated arabica coffee in sustainable agricultural system. The data were collected by questionnaire and statistically analysed by frequency, percentage, arithmetic means and Yule's Q.

            Factors which influencing the sustainable agriculture with arabica coffee as the permanent tree basis were education attainment, age level of the hilltribes, diversion of inter-cropping plants, experience on coffee cultivation and coffee information exposure.

            The reasons on keeping arabica coffee trees as permanent basis, were coffee tree was perennial trees and it could generate income every year. It was easy to maintain and low investment because some of hilltribes did not apply  chemicals to them. There was no market problem for coffee production because local traders could buy and sell it to the market in town.

            It was suggested that it is possible to develop arabica coffee trees as the permanent trees in sustainable agricultural system if hilltribes obtain the suitable knowledge concerning coffee production as well as price guarantee from both government and non-government agencies. At present, if hilltribes can produce good quality of coffee bean (e.g. organic coffee), it will bring them high income.