Author : Jitpaka Tanapanyarachawong

Summary : The study explored certain socioeconomic, communication, and physical variables that influenced the agricultural production practices of rice-rubber-vegetable farmers in Southern Thailand. These variables were examined with reference to the use of the recommended agricultural technologies. Needed information was gathered from the 151 farmer-respondents using an interview schedule. The study revealed that on the average, the respondents were 47 years old, had been farming for 20 years, elementary graduates, and had five household members. Their mean annual family income was 16,538 Baht (US$ = 25 Baht). The majority of them were owner-operators. Their farms average 8.94 rais (1 ha = 6.25 rais) for rice, 10.10 rais for rubber, and 0.99 rai for vegetables. Ten rice farming practices were recommended for farmers' adoption. Of these, six practices were highly used by the farmers, namely: land preparation, fertilizer application, seedbed preparation, insect pest control, correct seedling age (25-30 days old) for tranplanting, and disease control. The four practices whose adoption was low were selecion of improved rice varieties, treatment of rice seeds with fungicides, transplanting, and weed control. Nine vegetable farming practices were also recommended for adoption. However, only four practices were adopted, namely: compost application, improved variety of vegetables, fertilizer application, and insect control after growing. The five practices that had a low rate of adoption, were transplanting, use of vegetable seeds treated with fungicide, insect control after sowing, disease control, and weed control. Over all, the study showed that the farmers tended to exhibit a low level of adoption of the recommended agricultural practices in rice-rubber-vegetable farming. The chi-square test results indicated two variables that had a significant relationship with adoption of recommended agricultural practices in rice farming. These were membership in organization and non-institutional agent contact.