Factors Affecting Farmers' Decision to Greenhouse Vegetable Farming in Santha Subdistrict, Na Noi District, Nan Province

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study factors affecting farmers' decision to greenhouse vegetable farming. The population of this study was 180 farmers in Santha subdistrict, Na Noi district, Nan province who were registered in the Khun Sathan Royal Project Highland Development Project of 2023. The 125-sample size was based on the Taro Yamane formula with an error value of 0.05. Structured interviews were used for data collection. Statistics used were descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results of the research found that the average age of the farmers of 42.73 years. The average of training visits was 4.20 and experience of growing vegetables in greenhouses of 5.51 years. The average agricultural holding area was 16.74 rai. The average income in the agricultural sector of 193,160.00 baht per year. The average cost of growing leafy vegetables was 18,664.71 baht and the average cost of growing fruit vegetables was 69,483.87 baht. The factor that had a positive effect on farmers' decision to grow vegetables in greenhouses was the cost of growing vegetables in greenhouses, meanwhile, the age of the farmer had a negative effect on decision making, statistically significant at the level of 0.05. Therefore, new generations should be encouraged to grow vegetables in greenhouses to reduce production costs and reduce pest outbreaks in the climate change situation.