The Study of Durian Planting Patterns of Farmers in Huai Yot District, Trang Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the durian planting patterns, durian production cost, and SWOT analysis of durian planting patterns of farmers, Huai Yot district, Trang province. Interview schedule was used for data collection from forty-five farmers. Descriptive statistics, empirical data analysis, SWOT analysis, and content analysis were applied for data analysis. The findings revealed that the durian planting pattern of farmers can be classified into 3 main forms: 1) monocrop durian farming, 2) integrated durian farming, and 3) agroforestry durian farming. Farmers' durian production costs, monocrop durian farming was the most costly, followed by integrated durian farming. Finally, agroforestry durian farming had lowest cost. While SWOT analysis of different durian farming patterns of farmers can be summarized as follows: 1) Monocrop durian farming had yielding and high income, but also high production costs. Lack of varied durian species or plant species, 2) Integrated durian farming had a varied durian and plant species. Farmers had a varied income throughout the year, but lack good durian tree management, harvesting produce, and 3) agroforestry durian farming gave a relatively high yield. There were a wide range of species, low production costs, but lack of good care management, making imperfect durian fruit. It could be seen that different patterns of durian planting were associated with the environment, farm management, investment and the results of farming received by farmers. Therefore, farmers may choose to grow durian in ways that suit their potential or in accordance with their intended goals