FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC RICE FARMERS IN CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE. CASE STUDY, NA FAI SUB-DISTRICT, MUANG DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were as follows: 1) to study the factors influencing the development of organic rice farmers in Chaiyaphum Province; 2) to study the level of the development of organic rice farmers in Chaiyaphum Province; and 3) to find a guideline for the development of organic rice farmers in Chaiyaphum Province as a case study in Na Fai Subdistrict, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province. It was a mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research by using a five rating scales questionnaire with statistical confidence value at 0.82. The sample group of this research included the people who had the legal rights to vote in Na Fai Subdistrict, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province. The sample group size of 383 people was calculated through Taro Yamane. The qualitative research was done through in-depth interviews with 10 key informants. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, average ( ) and standard deviations (S.D). Findings of this research were as the followings. 1) The overall level of the development of organic rice farmers in Chaiyaphum Province, a case study in Na Fai Subdistrict, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province, was at a moderate level ( =3.06 S.D.=.37) and all the aspects could be chronologically arranged from the highest to the lowest as follows: social and community aspect at moderate level (  =3.11 S.D.=.37); geographical environment aspect at a moderate level ( =3.08 S.D.=.17); and technological aspect at a moderate level ( =3.01 S.D.=.68). 2) Regarding the factors influencing the development of organic rice farmers in Chaiyaphum Province, a case study in Na Fai Subdistrict, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province, it could be chronologically arranged as follows: the role of locality (X₄); the support of government sector (X₃); and the participation of the community (X₁). 3) Regarding the guideline for development, there should be a study on the environmental context that facilitates the development of soil condition, tools and equipment, the development of farmers according to programs and projects through monitoring and evaluation in relation to environmental and geographical contexts. In soil adaptation, related agencies should introduce new technology for the development. The community should be guided in establishing task forces or committees that they can have their roles in: establishing rules and regulations for enforcement; organizing community meetings for solving problems; coordinating related agencies for their support in managing or solving problems of the development of the farmers; establishing revolving funds for developing farmers; and cultivating the awareness on the development of organic rice farmers.