Enhancement of farmers’ hemp production potentials in Northern Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this research was to studied the Enhancement of Farmers’ Hemp Production Potentials in Northern Thailand. Analysis of hemp production conditions for farmers in northern Thailand. and propose guidelines for strengthening the potential of farmers in hemp production in northern Thailand. Quantitative research methods used interviews were used to obtain general information about hemp farmers in the northern region of Thailand. This studied studied a total of 325 people in the area of Chiang Mai Province. Chiang Rai Province, Tak Province, which is the area with the most hemp cultivated in northern Thailand. The studied of general information of hemp growers, it was found that the majority of hemp farmers' main occupations are farmers, 283 cases (87.1 percent), followed by trading occupations, 20 cases (6.2 percent), private business occupations. There were 17 cases (5.2%), 4 civil servants (1.2%) and 1 company employee (0.3%), respectively, in each household. The maximum number of household members is 9 people, the lowest is 1 person. Most farmers have the highest number of household members, 4-6 people, 176 people (54.2 percent), of whom the average number of workers in the sector is 2 people (55.1 percent). In addition to growing hemp plants Farmers still grow other types of crops. In each household, there are 5 types of crops grown as follows: The most popular type of crop is rice, 291 cases (89.5 percent), type 2 is hemp, 223 cases (68.6 percent), type 3 is garden vegetables, number 5. 84 cases (25.8%), type 4 includes passion fruit, 13 cases (4.0%), and type 5 includes corn, 6 cases (1.8%), respectively. In general, farmers are group members. The average monthly income is more than 35,000 baht (67.1 percent). Most farmers, 93.8 percent, are burdened with debt. The analyze of farmers' hemp production conditions, it was found that the hemp strain that farmers like to grow most is the RPF3 strain, which is the strain that gives the highest yield. Most farmers grow hemp to produce fiber. Seeds and inflorescences The amount of seed used per rai for planting to produce fiber was 7 kilograms per rai (64.9 percent). For planting to produce seeds and inflorescences, the amount of seed was 2. kilograms per rai (7.7 percent). Most farmers use an average hemp cultivation area of 0.1 - 10 rai (81.8 percent). Planting to produce fiber and produce seeds or inflorescences will have different planting distances to produce fiber. The planting distance is 10 x 10 centimeters. For planting to produce seeds or inflorescences, the planting distance is 1 x 1 meter. Most farmers use the method of scattering seeds in rows and planting once per year, with the planting period being in June (percentage 49.8) to July (50.2 percent) and the harvesting period is between August (46.2 percent) and September (45.8 percent). Most farmers use approximately 1-10 workers per planting cycle (100,000) to produce hemp. 92.6) For water sources used for cultivation, 60.3 percent comes from irrigation. Most of the fertilizers that farmers use are chemical fertilizers, 72 percent. All farmers receive support from extension officers. The number of extension officers in one planting cycle averages 2 people per farmer. The extension officers come from the Higher Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Public Organization). and communication channels between farmers and extension officials using mobile phones to contact extension officials. For the use of innovation and technology to help with the production of hemp plants, it was found that 75.7 percent used tractors to prepare the planting area, 75.7 percent used seed trucks for planting, and 22.2 percent used sprinklers for watering. All farmers use fiber strippers for processing and automobiles for transporting goods. As for problems and obstacles that arose, most farmers, 14.3 percent, used solutions by informing or consulting or asking extension officials.From the The analyze of the hemp planting potential of farmers in the northern region of Thailand, it was found that the factors that affect the potential level of farmers include: The amount of hemp planting area has a statistically significant effect on the potential level of farmers ( P < 0.01) and attending the training has a statistically significant effect on the potential level of farmers (P < 0.01), including experience in growing hemp plants has a significant effect on the potential level of farmers. Statistically significant ( P < 0.01 ) In addition, from the research study, we also learned guidelines for promoting the potential of farmers and extension officials in growing hemp in all 5 areas as follows: Preparation for growing hempplants by farmers. Farmers' growing conditions Problems regarding the management of farmers' planting systems Developing the potential of farmers in growing hemp crops and the promotion aspect of promoters and agencies involved in promoting hemp cultivation.