ปัจจัยที่มีผลต่อการยอมรับการปฏิบัติทางการเกษตรที่ดีของผู้ปลูกผักในอำเภอปากซอง จังหวัดจำปาสัก สาธารณรัฐประชาธิปไตยประชาชนลาว

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study some personal, economic, and social characteristics of vegetable growers in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR); 2) to examine factors affecting the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by vegetable growers; and, 3) to explore problems, needs, and recommendations regarding GAP implementation among vegetable growers. The study employed a structured interview to collect data from 240 vegetable growers in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, Lao PDR, between November and December 2023. Statistical analysis included frequency, maximum and minimum values, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Multiple regression analysis was also performed to determine factors influencing GAP adoption among vegetable growers in the study area. Results showed that many vegetable growers were male (64.58%), with an average age of 51.09 years, and one-third completed upper secondary education. Vegetable growers had an average of 24.55 years of experience in vegetable cultivation and an average of 3.74 household members being agricultural laborers. In 2023, vegetable growers earned an average income of 68.85 million kip/year (approximately 108,094 Thai baht/year) from vegetable cultivation, with an average cultivation area of 19.18 rai. The average production cost was 33.85 million kip/year (approximately 53,144 Thai baht/year). Most vegetable growers (88.75%) had a single sale channel, with intermediaries being the primary outlet. All vegetable growers received the information via GAP training for sources of GAP information. In addition, they acquired GAP information from other sources, such as YouTube and other farmers. Regarding government support for GAP implementation, it was found that a large number of vegetable growers (48.75%) received support in terms of knowledge about chemical fertilizer use and related regulations. They were also provided with advice on fertilizer application methods and consultation on plot management. Vegetable growers' knowledge of GAP was high (X ̅ = 18.74), while their implementation of GAP was moderate (X ̅ = 1.67). Regression analysis revealed that information sources and government suppor significantly influenced GAP adoption at 0.01 level. To facilitate more GAP adoption, relevant government agencies, including Agricultural Cooperatives Department and Clean Agriculture Development and Plant growing agency in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, should seek or create suitable communication channels to disseminate GAP information. They should also increase the frequency of field visits to meet vegetable growers to boost their confidence and provide helpful advice. The agencies should regularly organize training to enhance vegetable growers' knowledge of plant diseases and pests, which, in turn, would help reduce their concern about these problems. Demonstrations should also be arranged to show the improvement achieved by new methods in vegetable cultivation. These measures would improve vegetable growers' understanding of and confidence in GAP, which ultimately would lead to more adoption and practice of GAP. In addition, government agencies at the policy level, such as Department of Rural Development and Cooperatives and Ministry of Industry and Trade, should collectively plan and introduce concrete measures to support the agricultural sector, such as price support and price control for production factors to reduce vegetable growers' cultivation costs. They should also continually introduce policies that support GAP.