Appropriate agricultural system management approach in the area of Land Readjustment and Irrigation for Agriculture, Thailand

Abstract

The purposes were to study 1) context of farmer's agricultural system management 2) appropriate alternative farming systems, and 3) appropriate agricultural system management approach. The populations were 1) 348, 595, and 567 farmers participated in the land readjustment and irrigation for agriculture project in Chainat, Kalasin, and Phatthalung Provinces, respectively. The samples were determined using Taro Yamane's formula at an error level of 0.1, resulting in a sample of 78, 86, and 85 people, respectively. The simple random sampling was used. Data were collected using an interview form and analyzed using descriptive statistics in the context of farmer's agricultural management. 2) Key informants on appropriate alternative farming systems and appropriate agricultural system management approach consisted of 50 farmers, entrepreneurs, agricultural extension scholars. The purposive sampling was used. Data was collected using focus group and analyzed by content analysis.

The results showed that 1) all farmers managed their agriculture with rice mono-cropping system. The farmers in Chainat and Kalasin province had a loss from rice farming in the amount of 1,326.77 and 256.51 baht per rai respectively whereas the farmers in Phatthalung province earned a profit of 1,160.76 baht per rai. 2) Overall, the appropriate alternative farming systems could be divided into 4 systems: (1) rice mono-cropping system (2) rice-bean rotation system. (3) rice production system in combination with other agricultural activities, and (4) integrated farming system. 3) Overall, the appropriate agricultural system management approach found that (1) Upstream - fertilizer application based on the value of soil analysis, cost reduction by mixing self-use fertilizers, reducing the rate of seed use, use of biologics, and integrated pest management. (2) Midstream - production of agricultural products to standards under the collaborative farm system. (3) Downstream - product price guarantee, pre-sale of goods, direct sales of goods, and online marketing promotion.