Organic vegetable farming in Mahasarakham Province, Thailand | |
| Author | Kanokporn Rattanasuteerakul |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-09-05 |
| Subject(s) | Vegetables Thailand Mahasarakham Organic farming Thailand Mahasarakham |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctoral of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. RD-09-05 |
| Abstract | The government of Thailand has implemented organic vegetable promotion programs since the late 1990s under the broader policy of sustainable agriculture development. Based on primary and secondary information, this study analyzed the adoption of particularly organic vegetable farming (OVF) in four districts of Mahasarakham province. Primary information was collected through a questio nnaire survey of 172 vegetable farmers, key informants interview, group discussion and observation. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze factors explaining spatial variation in the extent of OVF, adoption and extent of OVF, and use of organic inputs. This study also assessed advantages and disadvantages of organic and inorganic inputs from farmers’ perspective, and analyzed financial return to labor and land from both organic and mixed vegetables under different scenarios. The findings of the study revealed little progress made in promotion of organic vegetables, despite steady efforts made by several government and non-government organizations. Slightly more than half of the vegetable farmers of ficially designated as organic vegetable farmers in the study area were genuine organic farmers, while others were mixed vegetable farmers who used both organic and inorganic inputs. There was variation in the extent of OVF from one district to another due primarily to variation in soil suitability, availability of irrigation water and degree of external support. At the micro-level, the adoption of OVF was significantly influenced by women’s involvement in OVF, motivational activities carried out by GOs and NGOs, inspiration from comm unity members, attendance of the training, satisfaction with the income from organic vegetables and pest hazard. Regarding the extent of area under OVF, the amount of organic fertilizer available at farmers’ disposal, perception of bad effect of synthetic pes ticides and the past experience in growing vegetable were the significant explanatory factors. While the organic farmers were using only organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides for growing vegetables, mixed farmers were using a blend of both types of inputs, though the amounts of inputs used varied from one type of vegetable to another. The assessment of farmers’ awareness of advantages and disadvantages of inputs showed that they were aware of advantages and disadvantages of both types of inputs. Despite this, particularly the mixed vegetable farmers, who were growing vegetables for mainly commercial purpose, were using inorganic inputs considerably a s OVF farming was not financially attractive. Their use of organic fertilizer was significantly explained by the amount of farm yard manure available at farmers’ disposal, experience in growing vegetables and motivation by community based organizations. The use of bio-pesticide was significantly influenced by the area under vegetables, the perception of bad effect of inorganic pesticide and contact with agricultural extension worker. The financial analyses of three main vegetables grown in the study area, namely, morning glory, green onion and Chinese kale, indicated that OVF was considerably less attractive than the mixed vegetable farming. Still some of the farmers were growing organic vegetables primarily for household consumption. It is possible to make OVF financially attractive through a set of policy interventions in fluencing both yield and price of vegetables. Recommendations have been made for impl ementation of policies and programs conducive to promotion OVF |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. RD-09-05 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thapa, Gopal B. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Rountray, Jayant Kumar ;Shivakoti, Ganesh P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government (RTG) |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |