The developing a potential of Self-reliance by transferring knowledge of Bio-organic fertilizer production for agriculturist in Tambol Nongkula Amphur Bangrakam Phitsanulok province

Abstract

          This study aimed to study on costs, potentials, factors, and conditions affecting the bio-organic fertilizer production, and farmers’ knowledge and wisdom about the production of bio-organic fertilizer for enhancing self-reliance potential through a transfer of knowledge on bio-organic fertilizer production for the farmers in Nong Kula Sub-district, Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province. This study was conducted through a participatory action research. The findings of the study on costs, potential, factors, and conditions affecting the bio-organic fertilizer production of the farmers in Nong Kula Sub-district, Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province were that the majority of the farmers working in rice and sugarcane farms and graduated from elementary school (32.4%), working in agricultural sector less than 25 years (62.1%), occupying farming area between 5-20 Rais (51.7%), earning an average income of 193,862.07 Baht per year from agricultural activities, earning an average income of 43,809.52 Baht per year from non-agricultural activities. The costs for agricultural activities per Rai were 2,430.77 Baht per year, in which the fertilizer cost is the highest (883.33 Baht per Rai). Concerning farmers’ knowledge and wisdom related to the production of bio-organic fertilizer, it was found that there was a self-sufficiency economy learning center in Nong Kula Sub-district municipality, and the local wisdom scholars was knowledgeable about new farming theory. As for the enhancement of self-reliance potential through an appropriate transfer of knowledge on production of bio-organic fertilizer for the farmers in Nong Kula Sub-district, this started from the gathering of community farmers having problems in monoculture where chemical fertilizers were used for plant growth in order to discuss and find a solution. The knowledge transfer was made through training on basic skills of bio-organic fertilizer production. To promote this activity, the community members persuaded their close neighbors to attend the training and they were supported with basic necessary tools for bio-organic fertilizer production. They were encouraged to practice by themselves on community and their own farms. This training phase was for their learning and exchange of experience. The last phase was the study trip to increase their knowledge and exchange their learning experience and techniques. After the training, it was found that the problems and obstacles of potential enhancement was the climate as the trained farmers must prioritize the works in their farms during harvesting season. Another problem was that the farmers aged above 50 years were available to be trained in the afternoon. The training showed a successful result as the farmers were aware of such problems, so they were willing to learn and wished to establish a bio-organic fertilizer production group to reduce the production costs.