COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR EASTERN FARMER ACCORDING TO YOUNG SMART FARMER TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article has objectives to study were: 1) the current capabilities and desired capabilities of Eastern region farmers, particularly smart farmers. 2) to propose sustainable development guidelines for the capabilities of Eastern region farmers, focusing on smart farmers, leading to sustainable development goals. This research employs a mixed-method includes a quantitative sample group of 339 young smart farmers from the Thai Eastern region, data collection through questionnaires, and a qualitative sample group consisting of randomly selected 10 young smart farmers in Rayong province, 10 smart farmers in Chanthaburi province, and 10 smart farmers in Trat province, totaling 30 individuals. Data collection methods include in-depth interviews and participatory observation, with statistical analysis involving frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and research findings indicating that 1) Thai Eastern region farmers have higher desired capabilities in agriculture compared to their current capabilities overall. The Knowledge management according to the changing context and knowledge dissemination according to the role of Young Smart Farmers with value (PNI Modified= 1.39) 2) The development guidelines for Thai Eastern region farmers' capabilities, based on smart farmer characteristics, include the "SMART" framework, which stands for Sustainable agriculture, Moral Management, Awareness of Wellbeing, Responsibility to save the world, and Technology Literacy, contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.