Extension Needs in Cassava Production of Farmers in Ban Bueng District, Chonburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study 1) social and economic elementary conditions                       2) conditions of cassava production 3) cassava production knowledge 4) extension needs of cassava production 5) problems and suggestions in extension needs of cassava production for farmers. The samples of this study were 164 cassava production farmers in Ban Bueng District, Chonburi Province who registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension in the production year of 2021. Structured interviews was used for data collection. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics in percentage, mean, frequency, standard deviation, minimum, maximum and rank. The results of study indicated that: 1) Most of the farmers were male with average age of 50.26 years old and 48.20% completed primary education. The average cassava production experience was 21.78 years. The average cassava planting area was 23.84 rai per each farmer. The average labor used in cassava planting was 4.52 persons. The average cassava yield was 3,470.30 kilograms per rai. The average production cost was 4,750.70 baht per rai. The average income from selling produce was 8,108.43 baht per rai. 2) Most of the farmers raised the planting grooves, improved the soil with organic fertilizer, kept the saplings for making their own seedlings and planting the sapling Rayong 9,used cassava stalks older than 11-month growth cycle. The farmers found cassava mealybugs and witches’ broom disease on fields. Harvesting early produce was between 11-12 months old and sold fresh cassava after harvesting immediately. 3) Farmers' understanding of cassava production was at the highest level with an average score of 13.03 points. 4) The farmers had the greatest extension needs for cassava production on issue of financial support for the Cassava Growers Income Insurance Project. 5) The farmers' problems included chemical fertilizer problems, expensive herbicides and had a dry spell. Therefore, knowledges and inputs on cassava production according to the farmers’ need should be supported