| Author | Suleeporn Bunbongkarn |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-13-02 |
| Subject(s) | Integrated agricultural systems--Thailand
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| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctoral of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. RD-13-02 |
| Abstract | The research focused on the adoption of integrated farming among farmers who received integrated farming extension services delivered by the two Royal Development Study Centers (RDSC) in the Central part of Thailand. The main aim of the research was to formulate appropriate agricultural extension strategy launched by RDSCs to strengthen farmer’s adoption of integrated farming. The specific objectives intended to assess the promotional and extension strategies launched by RDSCs on the integrated farming and to evaluate the participation in the extension activities, satisfaction and benefits of the extension process and activities conveyed by RDSCs; to evaluate benefits gained from adopting the integrated farming by adopters; to examine the extent and variations of farmer’s adoption of the integrated farming; to indentify factors influencing the adoption of the integrated farming; and to suggest recommendations to strengthen the adoption of the integrated farming transferred by the RDSCs, and provide appropriate strategies for future replications.This researchwas conducted in the two different areas, the lowland (Huai Sai RDSC in Phetchaburi Province) and the upland (Khao Hin Sorn RDSC in Chacheongsao Province) applying questionnaire survey and in-depth interview as key methods for data collection and employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data analysis. The two RDSCs have shown an attempt to promote integrated farming as an alternative of sustainable agricultural pattern since the beginning of the establishment of the centers in order to encourage farmers to improve their quality of life and the environmental quality. However, theresearch result showed that despite great efforts of the extension and promotion of integrated farming of the two RDSCs,comparable social conditions, type of climate and similar extension services and guidelines to promote integrated farming,the extent and variations of farmer’s integrated farming adoption between the two areas are relatively different. Quite a number of farmers living within the extension area in the upland refused to adopt integrated farming, while in the extension area in the lowland,a majority of farmers preferred to adopt the practice with satisfactory results.Farmers in both study areas received several kinds of benefits from integrated farming practice as well as from the extension services. It was found that lowland farmers gained higher biophysical and economic benefits than farmers in upland area. The findings of this research showed that the adoption of the integrated farming was associated with biophysical, economic, social and institutional factors in both lowland and upland areas. The key factors influencing the extent and variation of integrated farming adoption in the lowland comprised the use of natural fertilizer, income from vegetables and participation on in integrated farming training provided by RDSC. On the contrary, the key factors explaining the extent and variation of the adoption in the upland were different which included the number of years of experience in practicing integrated farming, amount of loan for integrated farming and water adequacy. To efficiently continue to promote the integrated farming, there are different factors to be considered which are geographical and economic conditions, personal experiences, understanding on the concept of integrated farming as well as suitable strategies and supporting polices provided by RDSCs for different area conditions.Based on the findings, there are three determinantsaffecting the adoption of integrated farming in both upland and lowland areas. In the lowland area, the highest extent of the relationship associated with the adoption of the integrated farming are percentage of the use of natural fertilizer, income from vegetable and participation frequency on integrated farming training provided ivby RDSC. In the upland area, the extent of the adoption depends on the number of years of experience in the practice as already mentioned that small farmers are more prone to uncontrollable risks. The experience is even more important when these small farmers have to compete with commercial farmers and to cope with the hard conditions of the upland area. Main development strategies to strengthen the adoption of farmers in the practice of integrated farming were given as well as outlined key aspects of policy support. In the upland area, it would not be feasible if the promotion of integrated farming is carried out in the area where water shortage is a serious problem. Thus, applying a blueprint approach to promote integrated farming should be reconsidered and the RDSC should pay stronger attention to provide knowledge on water management. Training activities on capacity strengthening and awareness building should be organized since upland adopters had less experience in integrated farming and these activities should create more opportunities for farmers to participate, interact and make joint decisions. Moreover, different types of loan support policies for different types of farmers, for example small, medium and large farmers or new integrated farming adopters should be formulated as well as policies for marketing support. In the lowland, although the extent of adoption was impressive, the RDSC should keep up with the new extension techniques and modern technologies which suit farmer’s needs and interests to maintain the high adoption extent. According to the findings, financial return is in the main concern for farmers in lowland area. It would attract more farmers to adopt the practice if a stronger emphasis is placed on the promotion of how to maximize the economic returns while being able to maintain a good environmental health along with how to reduce farm costs and household expenditure in order to increase income |
| Year | 2013 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. RD-13-02 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thapa, Gopal Bahadur ;Shivako, Ganesh P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Chaipattana Foundation; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |