Access to and utilization of agricultural information by rice farmers in Thailand | |
| Author | Kijsart Onngernthayakorn |
| Call Number | AIT Diss no.RD-17-04 |
| Subject(s) | agricultural information networks--Thailand Rice farmers--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Agricultural information for rice farmers has been promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) of the Royal Thai Government. The research was conducted with general objective of analyzing access and utilization of agricultural information among rice farmers in Thailand. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the quality of agricultural information as perceived by rice farmers; examine the types, sources, and intensity of information received by rice farmers; analyze the utilization of agricultural information among rice farmers and identify associated factors; assess the rice farmers' satisfaction, benefits gained from utilizing agricultural information, and identify problems and needs; as well as outline policy recommendations to improve access and utilization of agricultural information among rice farmers in Thailand. The research was conducted in Bang Pia Ma District of Suphanburi Province in central plain of Thailand. The research was explanatory in nature applying a survey design primarily focusing on a quantitative approach. Sampled households included both organic and inorganic farmers. Both secondary and primary data sources were used. Primary data collection methods included standardized questionnaire survey, field observation, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were applied. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-test, ftest and chi-square test. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify influencing factors in the utilization of agricultural information between organic and inorganic rice farmers fmther classified into small, medium, and large farmers. Organic farmers have better access and utilized more agricultural information than inorganic farmers. Farmers perceived the quality of agricultural information in different dimensions including awareness, access, accuracy, relevance, and coverage, which are varied by organic and inorganic farmers and by small, medium, and large farm sizes. Small and large organic farmers as well as medium inorganic farmers were more aware. Small and medium organic farmers and small inorganic farmers received more accurate information. Large organic farmers as well as small and large inorganic farmers perceived the information to be more relevant. Medium organic farmers perceived the information to well covered while inorganic farmers regardless farm size had different view. A variation on types and sources of specific indicators of agricultural information and intensity in receiving information between organic and inorganic farmers were explicit on JCT (internet), mass media (radio, television, and printed materials), extension programs and social groups and networks (farmers' groups, relatives, and village leaders), which organic farmers had better access than inorganic farmers. Variations in those sources were also found across farm size of both groups. There are significant differences in the utilization of agricultural information between organic and inorganic on watering and soil preparation practices in the farming stage; rice storage in the postharvest stage; and market price in the marketing stage. Factors associated with the utilization between organic and inorganic farmers are slightly different but with common factors including socioeconomic characteristics, distance to Rice Research Center, JCT, mass media, extension programs, as well as social groups and networks. Both organic and inorganic farmers were strongly satisfied with the types of information indicators provided. Small and medium organic farmers obtain more diversified social, economic, environmental, and institutional benefits than large organic farmers as well as for all categories of inorganic farmers. Organic farmers faced more challenges and identified several needs than inorganic farmers. It can be concluded that there is no unified pattern in access and utilization of agricultural information for both farm types and across farm sizes. The variations in both groups occur not because of rice farmers' decision making process for different indicators but also due to their diversified socioeconomic characteristics. A set of policy recommendations are given to improve access and utilization of agricultural information in Thailand. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, Jayant Kumar;Soni, Peeyush;Suvedi, Murari; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph. D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |