Para Rubber Production Management by Farmers in Ladkrating Sub-district, Sanamchaikhet District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study 1) economic and social status of rubber farmers in Latkrating Sub-district, Sanamchaikhet District, Chachoengsao Province; 2) farmers’ motivation on producing rubber; 3) farmers’ knowledge about rubber production; 4) rubber production practices by farmers; 5) farmers’ problems and suggestions for rubber production management.

This study was a survey research. The study population were 587 farmers who were registered with the Rubber Authority of Thailand in the study area in 2016. A sample population size of 400 was calculated using the Taro Yamane formula with a 97% confidence interval. Samples were chosen by simple random sampling. Data were collected by using a structured interview and were then analyzed using descriptive statistics i.e. frequency, percentage, maximum and minimum values, mean and standard deviation.

The results revealed that 1) most of the farmers were male and in the 40-49 years age group. The average number of family members was 5. They used to grow field crops and switched to growing para rubber between 1998 – 2007. The average land used for agriculture was 27.90 rai. (1 rai = 1,600 m2). The average land used for rubber cultivation was 21.90 rai. The average number of laborers used for rubber cultivation was 2.53. Most of them had no experience in rubber cultivation. They received information on rubber cultivation from Rubber Research Institute. 2) The proximity of rubber buyers and knowledge base on rubber cultivation near their houses were farmers’ motivation to grow rubber. 3) Farmers had moderate knowledge of rubber cultivation. The Variety selection, soil preparation, fertilizer application and weed control were the knowledge areas that farmers knew a lot. 4) Farmers’ practice on rubber cultivation was at a high level except for rubber sheet processing and waiting to sell rubber products when the price was high. 5) Farmers’ problems were the high price of chemical fertilizer and the selling price of rubber products was inconsistent. They suggested that the government should control the prices of chemical fertilizer and rubber products.