Study on Jasmine Rice Production Problem for Being Certified with GAP Standard in Yasothon Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study factors that were barriers to GAP Standard certification for rice production. The samples were farmers participating in safe Jasmine Rice Production in 2014/2015 Project of Yasothon province. Multi-stage sampling was conducted and Yamane formula was used for the calculation of sample size. Samples comprised of 57 farmers that were certified with rice GAP in Pa Tio district, Yasothon province and 17 farmers that were not certified with rice GAP. Interview schedule was used for collection of data on the social, economy, knowledge, attitude, and motivation of farmers. The study was found that most areas used for rice production lowland with sand, sandy loam, and soil with medium fertile. Rice production was mainly rain fed. Farmers mostly planted Jasmine 105 rice by transplanting and dry sowing rice seedlings. The reasons why some farmers failed to be certified with rice production GAP was partly due to failing to improve the soil and using harvesting vehicles to harvest rice, which would mix with other rice varieties. The GAP certified rice farmers mostly gained knowledge and understanding on how to get rid of other rice varieties that mixed in the batch, which accounted for 98.24%. While rice farmers who failed to be GAP certified had some knowledge and understanding or lacked the knowledge on the elimination of other rice varieties that mixed in the batch, which accounted for 88.24%. There were no more than 2% of farmers that had knowledge and understanding on the amount of other rice varieties that mixed in the farming plot. While there was small amount of rice farmers that failed to be GAP certified had such knowledge, which accounted for 2% and most farmers lacked such knowledge, which accounted for 64.71%. This was similar to harvesting rice before its maturity (94.12%) and lacking the knowledge on dry rice for trading required 15% humidity, which accounted for 64.71%. Additionally, it was found that most farmers had problems with the price of rice. The fertilizers and chemical substance were expensive and farmers lacked the capital for the rice production. Some farmers who failed to be GAP certified expressed attitude that it was difficult to follow the procedures for the certification of rice.