Extension Needs of Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar Control with Bracon hebetor for Farmers in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) social and economic conditions, 2) the knowledge of Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor, 3) extension needs of Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor, 4) problems and suggestions of extension of Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar  control with Bracon hebetor for farmers. The sample group was used in this research; coconut farmers registered with
the Department of Agricultural Extension in 2021 from 142 farmers. Structured interviews were used for data collection. Statistics to analyze the data include frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and ranking. The results indicated the following: 1) Most of the farmers were male with average of age 54.94 years and graduated primary school, They were trained in agriculture average 2.11 times per year. in agriculture average 2.11 times. The average coconut planting area was 24.01 rai. All farmers owned the land, average experience in coconut cultivation for 21.70 years, average coconut yield was 488.52 fruits/rai/year. The average household income from coconut production was 119,915.49 baht/year. The average cost of coconut production was 19,183.10 baht per year. The average household agricultural labor  was 1.70 people. 2) Farmers had a high level of knowledge about controlling
Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor with anaverage score of 9.32 points. 3) Farmers’ needs for the extension of a learning plots about Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor at the highest level.4) Farmers had problems with a lack of support for Bracons hebetor in the adult stage released
in the plot at the highest level. And Suggestions were; should be setting learning  plot about Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor, supporting the adult Bracon hebetor for release in the plots, and they should organize a trip field trip/ an observe activity for Coconut Black-Headed Caterpillar control with Bracon hebetor.