Technology Development for Productivity Improvement of Rubber Lump, Case Study Nern Somboon Village, Huay Sor Sub-District, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province.

Abstract

This research aim to study the general condition, to develop productivity improvement technology of rubber lump, case study at Nern Somboon village, Huay Sor sub-district, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai province. This participatory action research utilized research instrument such as field study records, group discussion, and joint learning activities. The target studied group consisted of agriculturists, young agriculturists, general public, representatives from local administrative organization, and community development workers, in total of 25 people. The sampling was conducted as purposive sampling. Quantitative data analysis was conducted to determine statistical percentage. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using Content Analysis technique.

          Results show that the technology development can be classified into 4 stages i.e. (1) Preparation stage. Information was gathered, regarding general condition, cost, and return from para rubber plantation. Majority of the agriculturists have the rubber plantation area less than 10 rai, have been planting para rubber trees over 11 years, the age of para rubber trees to be tapped can start at 6-10 years old, average para rubber tree at 75 trees per rai, rubber tapping at night. They collect para rubber to sell once every 6 days, by collecting consecutively for 2 days and skip 1 day. The rubber tapping process would be done by themselves. The format of their rubber produce would be in lump rubber form. Quantity per batch is around 150-300 kilograms and sold to middle man buyers. Average expense would be at 5,986.64 per rai per year, average output at 382.04 kilograms per rai per year, average income at 11,952.96 Baht per rai per year. The breakeven point would be at 0.09 tons of output per rai per year. From the profit (loss) analysis on the para rubber plantation, it shows that the agriculturists generate net profit at 5,966.32 Baht per rai per head. The result from the analysis on rate of return on para rubber plantation shows that the profit to cost at 99.66 percent, profit to sales at 49.92, the return on investment (ROI) at 26.78 percent, and the return on asset (ROA at 48.71 percent. (2) Work Planning Stage. Community participates in the data analysis to identify and prioritize the severity of problems. (3) Execution Stage, Community participates on the technology development planning since the start, following the timetable. Objectives were communicated. Training on the microorganism knowledge was conducted. Actual implementation on the field was done by brainstorming the ideas, and experiences of agriculturists and community workers to bring the knowledge of microorganism to replace acidic chemical, in order to increase quality output, gaining more sales. These agriculturists gained more knowledge to care for their para rubber trees to produce more output in the following years as well as the knowledge to care for the trees which no longer produce rubber. (4) Evaluation stage. From the usage of microorganism to gain more productivity, the weight of rubber lump versus the input was evaluated. It shows that the productivity was increased by 50% within the 15 days of rubber tapping (15 March). The rubber lump texture is white, soft, and denser, odorless. Rubber tapping can be done continuously, which satisfies agriculturists as they can generate more income. Moreover, the rubber buyers are also satisfied as the rubber lump has better elasticity.