Extension Needs of Durian Production in Collaborative Farm for Farmers in Phra Rak Subdistrict, Phato District, Chumphon Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study (1) social and economic conditions of farmers (2) extension needs of durian production in collaborative farm and (3) problems and recommendations with extension needs of durian production in collaborative farm. The population consisted of 140 durian farmers in Phra Rak subdistrict, Phato district, Chumphon province who registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension in the production year of 2021/2022. Structured interviews were used for data collection. Statistics used were frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation ranking and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results indicated that (1) most farmers were male, with an average age of 52.36 years, graduated from junior high school. The average experience in growing durian was 16.41 years. There was an average number of durian production workers of 3.07 people. There was an average total agricultural area of 20.51 rai. There was an average durian planting area of 12.63 rai, which was an area that yields an average of 8.77 rai of durian. The average cost of producing durians was 21,972 baht per rai per year, while the average income from selling durians was approximately 129,785 baht per rai per year. (2) Farmers faced moderate problems related to durian production factors, which were associated with age and the area of durian cultivation. Problems with durian production knowledge and extension were low level and related to production costs and income from durian sales. Marketing problems were also low level and related to gender, while issues with the management of large plantation groups were minimal and associated with income from durian sales.