Extension Guidelines of Rice Production Adhering to Halal Standards of Farmers, Thailand

Abstract

          The purposes of this research were to study (1) social and economic fundamental conditions of farmers (2) general condition of farmers’ Rice production (3) the knowledge of the farmers about rice production in accordance with Good Agricultural Practice (4) needs of farmesin Rice production adhering to halal standards of farmers and (5) problems and the suggestion of extension guidelinesof Rice production adhering to Halal standards of farmers.

          Population was 320 rice farmers in Surin Province who registered with the Rice Department in the production year of 2018/19. The sample size was 178 determined by using Taro Yamane formula, with a dislocation level of 0.05. And focus group of purposive sampling of 5 people, consisting of 3 representatives of rice growers, 1 academic and 1 rice-related business person. Structuredinterview was used for data collection. Statistics used werefrequency, percentage, average, standard deviation and ranking.

          The results revealed the following: (1) Most of farmers were female with an average age of 56.91 years and completed primary education level. The average members in household were 1.32 persons. They had rice production experience of 33.93 years on average. The average area of holding 14.37 rai, loans funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). The average monthly household income was 82,7048.82 baht. The average household income was 18,653.63 baht. And the average debt is 216,233.57 baht. (2) In general rice production conditions the farmers grow KhaoDawk Mali 105 species. The rice production areas was sandy loam using rain water for cultivation, found burns, and harvested rice by observing the color of the ears. (3) Farmers were knowledgeable about rice production in accordance with good agricultural practice standards. (4) Extension needs of farmers in the production of rice products in accordance with Halal standards, knowledge of management regarding Halal product standards and sharing and learning about halal standards. And (5) Problems regarding the promotion regarding the principle of producing rice products according to Halal standards. For suggestion to other departments would include the integration of knowledge-based training to famers and flietirp and study trips and guild lines for farmers to understand Halal standards to lead to further market expansion.