Planning of rice cultivation in large plot agricultural system with multi-criteria decision making

Abstract

          This Research aims to study the approach of the community toward decision to grow rice and economic crops, including resource allocation for using appropriately in plantation under the large plot agricultural system.  The study areas were in Phan district, Chiang Rai Province and the data were collected from sampling 400 field farmers.  The method used is developing mathematical model for crop growing in multi-objectives and multi-periods, together with agriculturist representative and experts with multi criteria decision making (MCDM).  This is to prioritize the importance of alternative crops and finding appropriate allocation of resources to achieve the targeted goal.  The result showed that agriculturists prioritize most toward criteria for Japanese rice growing, with weight of 0.179, followed by transplanted rice, glutinous transplanted rice, garlic, paddy sown rice, and glutinous paddy sown rice, respectively.

          The study’s result also showed that price fluctuation of crop products resulted in more use of land and labor in order to increase product to compensate low price and this also resulted in the higher opportunity cost of growing transplanted rice.  Therefore, growing transplanted rice during in-season plantation is considered the most effective way while during off-season, either garlic and Japanese rice can be grown.  Collective pattern for planning for using resources together in large plot agricultural areas, together with clear marketing target would bring about effective use of resources and reduce risk in revenue from fluctuation in price and uncertainty of yields from drought.  Moreover, technology development to solve the problem of lack of labor is deemed important approach toward the enhance of competitiveness of agriculturists in the future as well.