Extension of Fertilizer Use Based on Soil Analysis to Reduce Rice Production Costs of Rice Farmers in Don Toei Subdistrict, Na Thom District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

This research was a survey study. The objective was to examine the promotion of fertilizer application based on soil analysis to reduce rice production costs among farmers. The population consisted of 1,535 farmers in Don Toei Sub-district who had registered and received services from the Na Thom District Agricultural Extension Office in 2023. A sample of 181 farmers was determined using the Taro Yamane formula with a margin of error of 0.07. Data was collected through interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that 51.38% of the farmers were male, with an average age of 53.49 years. About 54.69% had completed primary education, and the average experience in rice farming was 34.18 years. The average rice cultivation area was 18.24 rai. The average income from rice production was 4,085.13 Baht per rai per year, while the average expense was 2,798.54 Baht per rai per year. Most farmers had a moderate level of knowledge and understanding of fertilizer application based on soil analysis. Overall, they received a high level of extension support, especially through mentoring by agricultural officers, which was rated at the highest level. Farmers faced problems in applying fertilizer based on soil analysis for reducing production costs at a high level, with the most critical issue being a lack of knowledge. They strongly agreed with the recommendations to promote fertilizer application based on soil analysis for cost reduction. In particular, they agreed at a high level on the need for training programs to help farmers properly collect soil samples. Farmers expressed a high need for guidelines on fertilizer application based on soil analysis and emphasized the importance of government support to improve access to soil analysis services in public laboratories.