Catfish Farming to Create Additional Occupations of Smallholder Farmers in Ban Bon Khuan, Moo 5, Na Pho Subdistrict, Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to study the method for raise catfish to create more occupations of smallholder farmers, the problems in raising catfish to create more occupations of smallholder farmers, and the solutions to the problems in catfish farming to create more occupations of smallholder farmers. For qualitative research, the target groups were 17 from smallholder /catfish farmers and catfish raising promotion groups. The data were collected by using a set of in-depth interviews and participant observation. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed as follows. The method for raise catfish to create more occupations of smallholder farmers; the preparation of the area, the preparation of the pond, the selection of catfish species, catfish feeding, change of catfish pond water, and catfish fishing. The problems in raising catfish to create more occupations of smallholder farmers; problem of water, problems of disease in catfish, and problems of catfish rearing facilities. The solutions to the problems in catfish farming to create more occupations of smallholder farmers; add salt to the pond to turn the acid-base, provide the right amount of food, clean and change the water in the pond, put an object or coconut leaf over the mouth to prevent things from falling and allowing the fish to escape the sunlight. It concluded that the results of this study are useful for those interested in the solutions to the problems and introduce important guidelines to encourage those interested in raising catfish to be utilized.