Needs of the Utility of Organic Substances in Rice Cultivation of Farmers in Bangsai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

The research aimed to study 1) personal and socio-economic data, 2) utility of organic substances,    3) knowledge of utility of organic substances and 4) needs of the utility of organic substances in rice cultivation. The sample size was 339 farmers from 2,206 rice farmers. Data were collected by using a questionnaire. Statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and hypothesis tested by using Chi-square. The results showed that 56.90% of farmers were male, with an average age of 57.36 years. Farmers with 40.10% completed secondary education/vocational certificate. Average household members were 3.79 people. Average experience growing rice was 27.04 years. Average farming area was 6.02 rai. Average rented area was 13.19 rai and average rice growing area was 19.18 rai. Average income was 8,693.00 baht/rai. Utility of organic substances was of moderate level average of 2.13. Selection of organic substances was used instead of chemicals at a high-level average of 2.62. The source of organic substances received support from government at a high level, average of 2.67. The knowledge level of farmers regarding the use of agricultural organic substances was at a high-level average of 15.79. The need of the utility of organic substances was at a high-level average of 2.53. Hypothesis testing found that experience in growing rice, rice areas, rice rented area, age, education, knowledge and utility of organic substances by farmers related to farmers' need for the utility of organic substances in the rice growing at the 0.05 and 0.01 Significance level respectively