Factors Relating to Onion Production Management of Fang Onion Growers Cooperative’s Members, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study onion production management and analyze factors relating to this management of the farmers in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. An interview form was used to collect data from a sample group of 188 farmers who were members of the Fang Onion Growers Cooperative (FOC) between January and May 2022. The results revealed that most farmers were male, with an average age of 53.09 years, and graduated primary school. On average, they had 19.96 years of onion cultivation experience and 5.36 rai planting areas. Most farmers used their own funds, and loan from various sources such as FOC and Village Funds for the onion production. Approximately half of the farmers had only one market distribution channel. They also accessed about two sources of agricultural information on average. In 2021, most farmers attended no training (67.60 %) and made no contact with relevant officers for assistance with onion production (67.00 %). Regarding onion production management, it was found that the farmers were at a moderate management level. From an analysis of factors relating to the onion production management, it was found that knowledge of onion production management and onion planting areas were positively significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Thus, relevant officers should provide knowledge on production and marketing to the farmers, so they can apply this knowledge to improve their onion production management.