ความตระหนักของเกษตรกรต่อปัญหาการใช้ที่ดินเพื่อการเพาะปลูกบนพื้นที่สูงในอำเภอแม่แจ่ม จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the fundamental economic and social factors of highland farmers in Mae Chaem District Chiang Mai Province, 2) to analyze the relationship of factors affecting farmers’ awareness regarding land use problems for cultivation in highland areas in Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai province, and 3) to estimate the needs and recommendations for farmers on land use problems for cultivation in highland areas in Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai province. The population of this research was 2,795 farmers who registered with the Mae Chaem District Agriculture Office in 2020 in Ban Thap Subdistrict and Tha Pha Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. The sample size was calculated by applying Taro Yamane's formula with a tolerance level of 0.07 for the sample size of 191 people and using a simple random sampling by drawing farmers' names. The data was collected by using interview schedules having reliability value in knowledge issues (KR – 20) equals 0.712 and awareness issues (Cronbach) equals 0.765. The data were collected between January and July 2021. The statistical measures used to analyze the data were percentage, frequency, mean, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation. Multiple regression analysis was used for hypothesis testing by using “enter” to find the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The results revealed that the majority of farmers were male; the average age of them was 44.26 years old; they graduated from Grade 8; the average number of household members was 4.26; the experience in farming was 21.05 years. In 2020, household income showed an average of 72,900.05 baht and an average outstanding debt of 70,088.48 baht. However, farmers received information about land use problems for cultivation in highland areas as high as 2.40 times; they had contacted agricultural officers 1.32 times and received training 0.67 times. In addition, farmers knew about land use problems for cultivation in highland areas on a high level (x ̅ = 15.35). The hypothesis testing found that factors related to the farmers’ awareness of land use problems for cultivation in highland areas were that gender relationship was negative. The farmers’ awareness of land use problems for cultivation in highland areas was statistically significant at 0.05. The perception of information about land use problems, the positive relationship, and the farmers’ awareness of land use problems for cultivation in highland areas was statistically significant (0.01). The needs of farmers in land use problems for cultivation in highland areas showed that they require the government help with soil improvement in agricultural areas, the planting of fruit trees, and the water retention areas to use during the dry season. The suggestions for farmers in land use problems for cultivation in highland areas include farmers changing from monoculture to the “soil and water” conservation agriculture. The government should train and provide knowledge about land use problems for cultivation in highland areas, and farmers should reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Moreover, relevant agencies should provide knowledge regarding how to improve soil quality to be suitable for cultivation. In addition to that, there should be a demonstration and practice collecting soil samples for analysis. Besides, relevant agencies should promote measures to conserve soil and water in highland areas and create a project on model plots for farmers interested in changing from monoculture to conservation of the soil and water in agriculture to be a model for community farmers to use soil and water resources efficiently and sustainably.