Evaluation of rubber tapping systems, rubber yield, and factors affecting the adoption of high-yield rubber variety innovations among rubber farmers

Abstract

            This research aims to: 1) explore and compare the yield of rubber production with the rubber tapping systems chosen by farmers in Ban Na Doem District, Surat Thani Province; 2) analyze the factors affecting the adoption of the high-yielding rubber variety RRIT251 among rubber farmers in Ban Na Doem District, Surat Thani Province; and
3) propose guidelines for promoting the planting of the high-yielding rubber variety RRIT251 and the adoption of appropriate tapping systems to increase latex production in the Ban Na Doem District, Surat Thani Province. This study is quantitative research, using questionnaires to collect data from 215 farmers cultivating the RRIT251 rubber variety in Ban Na Doem District, Surat Thani Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, maximum, minimum, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, including t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis.

            The results of the study revealed that: 1) there are four rubber tapping systems used by farmers in the area. The most widely used system is the one-third of the trunk, Two days every other day system (44.1%), followed by the one-fourth of the trunk, Two days every other day system (26.3%), the one-fourth of the trunk, One day every other day system (19.7%), and the one-third of the trunk, One day every other day system (9.9%), respectively. Different rubber tapping systems have different rubber yields with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. In addition, the one-third of the trunk Two days every other day system produces a higher yield compared to other tapping systems.
2) factors affecting the adoption of the high-yielding rubber variety RRIT251 include personal characteristics, economic characteristics, social characteristics, and perception of innovation characteristics, whereas information sources did not significantly affect the acceptance of the RRIT251 variety at the 0.05 level; and 3) the suggestions made by farmers to promote and foster acceptance of the RRIT251 variety can be categorized into three main issues. The most frequently suggested measure was the need to publicize the advantages of the RRIT251 variety (42.50%), followed by the need to improve the variety and resolve issues before promoting cultivation (30.00%), and the need to provide cautions and guidance on planting and tapping techniques (27.50%), respectively.