Potential of Agricultural Tourism in Ban Mae Lua, Pa Daeng Sub-district, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study: 1) basic economic and social factors, 2) participation of farmers, 3) potential of agricultural tourism sites in Ban Mae Lua, and 4) relationship between socio-economic background factors and the potential of agricultural tourism sites in Ban Mae Lua. A sample group of 124 individuals was selected through multi-stage sampling. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The statistics employed included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square. The research findings revealed that majority of farmers were male, with an average age of 55 years. The education level was primarily elementary. The average annual income was 55,777.86 baht, and average annual expenditure was 42,635.77 baht. The average household size was 4 members, and average agricultural landholding was 1.74 rai. Most farmers were not members of any group (54.84%) and did not receive agricultural information (91.94%). Participation in agricultural tourism management was at a high level ( = 3.81), with highest average of participation in benefits (= 3.88). The potential of agricultural tourism was at a moderate level (= 2.82), with the highest average in attractiveness ( = 2.99). The results revealed that the potential for establishing agricultural tourism of management aspect was significantly related to marital status at 0.05 level. Additionally, the potential for establishing agricultural tourism of service and attractiveness aspect was significantly related to size of agricultural landholding at the 0.01 level. Therefore, infrastructure development should support tourism, particularly by improving access routes to the tourist sites.