ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION COST STRUCTURE OF DURIAN COLLABORATE FARMERS IN THE MUEANG DISTRICT OF CHANTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

Chanthaburi is the country with the highest durian production capacity. However, durian farmers in Chanthaburi are mostly small farmers who are faced with the problem of higher production costs. The Collaborate Farmers System supports farmers in reducing production costs and increasing production. The objectives of this study were to study the production of farmers and analyze the production costs of farmers in durian collaboration in Mueang District, Chanthaburi Province. The data was collected from in-depth interviews with 25 farmers who became members of durian collaborative farmers, Moo. 5, Salaeng Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chanthaburi Province, regarding production and durian production costs in the production year 2022-2023.

The results of the study found that durian production and maintenance Farmers' main activities included watering, pruning, fertilizing, and eliminating weeds, which farmers prefer using grass cutting. As for pest control, most farmers use chemicals in the event of a pest outbreak. For durians that are already yielding, farmers will focus on preparing the trees to be perfect. Each farmer takes care of durian differently. Farmers had an average yield of 1,303.28 kilograms per rai.

Farmers have durian production costs equal to 223,177.22 baht per rai, divided into fixed costs of 142,254.79 baht per rai, accounting for 63.76 percent, with the highest proportion of land use opportunity costs. Variable cost of 80,862.44 baht per rai, accounting for 36.24 percent, with the highest proportion of opportunity costs for farmers. Most durian production costs are invisible costs. which is equal to 186,303.84 baht per rai, calculated as 83.50 percent, and the visible cost equals to 36,813.38 baht per rai, calculated as 16.50 percent.