Extension of Off-season Longan Production for Farmers in Kosamphi Nakhon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) social and economic conditions, 2) the conditions of off-season longan production, 3) the knowledge of off-season longan production, 4) problems and suggestions on extension of off-season longan production and 5) extension needs of off-season longan production of farmers. The population consisted of 462 farmers in Kosamphi Nakhon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province who registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension in the production year of 2021. The 215-sample size was based on Taro Yamane formula with the error value of 0.05. Structured interviews were used for data collection. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results indicated the following: Most of the farmers were male, average age of 55.03 years old. The average off-season longan planting area was 10.05 rai. The average production cost of off-season longans was 11,491.16 baht per rai. Farmers use potassium chlorate for longan flowering in June and most harvested in January. Farmers had a high level of knowledge in off-season longan production on the issue of planting and suitable conditions. Farmers had problems at a high level in 2 issues: lack of project support from the government and lack of market linkage support. The suggestion was government projects should be extension continuously for develop quality off-season longan production and create income stability with a certain market for purchase