FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF ORGANIC COCONUT PRODUCTION OF FARMERS IN BANG SAPHAN DISTRICT, PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was aimed to: 1) study the farmers’ situation of organic coconut production; 2) study the level of farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production; 3) study the factors affecting farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production; and 4) propose the guidelines for promoting adoption of organic coconut production to farmers in Bang Saphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The data were collected by a questionnaire. The sample was 377 representatives of coconut farmer households derived by stratified random sampling. The qualitative data were collected by an in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion. The key informants were 12 chiefs of district agricultural extension officer, presidents and representatives of farmer groups, derived by purposive sampling. The statistics used for quantitative data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis.

The results were as follows: 1) farmers in Bang Saphan District have applied the organic agriculture principles in coconut production since 2003. At present, there are 84 organic coconut farmers with the production area of 1,471 rai. 2) Overall, the farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production was at a high level. 3) The factors affecting farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production were attitudes towards organic coconut production, type of land ownership, knowledge of organic coconut production, and age of farmers. These factors together predicted the farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production at the percentage of 14.90 with the statistical significance of .05. 4) The guidelines for promoting the farmers’ adoption of organic coconut production were training farmers about organic coconut production; enhancing awareness of correct and suitable organic coconut production; expanding of organic coconut production area; encouraging new generations’ interest in organic coconut production; and promoting a strong community for organic coconut production.