Extension Needs of Durian Production According to Good Agricultural Practices Stardards for Farmers in Mueang Prachin Buri District, Prachin Buri Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study 1) social and economic conditions, 2) the practice about  durian production according to good agricultural practices standards, 3) extension needs of durian production according to good agricultural practices standards and 4) Problems with extension of durian production in according to good agricultural practice standards. The population consisted of 220 farmers who grow durian in the area of Mueang Prachin Buri district, Prachin Buri province who registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension in the production year of 2021. The 142-sample size was based on Taro Yamane formula with the error value of 0.05. A structured interview was used for data collection. Statistics that used were frequency, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation. The results indicated the following: 1) Most farmers were male, with an average age of 55.26 years old. Graduated from secondary school, the average of experience producing durian was 17.38 years. There was an average durian planting area of 5.13 rai. The average durian production cost was 18,078.17 baht per rai per year. There was an average income from durian production of 98,654.93 baht per rai per year. And there was an average durian yield of 871.90 kilograms per rai. 2) Farmers practice durian production according to the good agricultural practice standards on the issue of water and hygiene and keep minimal records. 3) Farmers extension needs of durian production according to good agricultural practice standards at the highest level on the issue of water. and 4) Most farmers were problems with insufficient water resources for production, and lack of knowledge about water, that is, knowledge about watering should be given according to the growth stage of durian. And there is a suggestion from this research that officials should visit farmers' plots regularly, in order to address water management problems. Water is an important factor in producing quality durian in accordance with good agricultural practices standards