DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR NATURAL PLANT SUPPLEMENT PRODUCTION FOR FARMERS IN TABAO SUB-DISTRICT, SURIN PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to 1) study problems and needs in reducing production costs and using natural plant supplements, 2) develop suitable processes for producing chitosan supplements and evaluate the physical quality of the developed products, 3) transfer knowledge and technology for natural plant supplement production to farmers, and 4) evaluate participants' satisfaction with knowledge and technology transfer. The research sample consisted of 115 farmers from Tabao Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province, selected through purposive sampling. Research instruments included questionnaires, production process recording and evaluation forms, knowledge transfer media, and satisfaction evaluation forms. Results revealed that farmers faced increasing production costs (76.2%), soil quality deterioration (68.7%), and health problems from chemical use (62.2%). The developed production process utilized three main raw materials: ready-made chitosan powder, clean water, and vinegar (5%), demonstrating superior efficiency compared to traditional methods by reducing costs by 50-55%, decreasing production time to only 25-30 minutes, and improving dissolution efficiency to 92%. Knowledge transfer encompassed chitosan properties, production processes, application methods, brand design, and online marketing channels. The overall satisfaction evaluation was at the highest level (mean = 4.70), with content and service delivery receiving the highest equal scores (4.75), followed by practical application (4.65) and knowledge comprehension (4.64), respectively. The evaluation results reflected successful knowledge transfer, enabling farmers to acquire knowledge, achieve satisfaction with services provided, and develop confidence in practical application, establishing a sustainable foundation for developing farmers' self-reliance capacity.