THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETS FOR SAFETY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (VEGETABLES AND FRUIT) BY COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN LOP BURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) study current situations of markets for safety agricultural products (vegetables and fruit) by community participation in Lop Buri Province, 2) examine the participation of safety agricultural products (vegetables and fruit) of entrepreneurs in Lop Buri Province, and 3) find the guidelines of market development for agricultural products (vegetables and fruits) in Lop Buri Province. The research samples consisted of 1) 210 farmers who participated in safety agricultural farms (vegetables and fruits) of Lop Buri Provincial Agricultural and Cooperatives Office and whose farms are located in the irrigable area, and 2) public and private stakeholders. The research instruments were a questionnaire and an interview form. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were analyzed by the content analysis.

The research findings were as follows:

1.    According to current situations of markets for safety agricultural products (vegetables and fruit) by community participation in Lop Buri Province, farmers sold their own agricultural products by themselves. Most of them did not intently sell their products to the market because of spending lots of time on the transportation and were not constantly producing agricultural products. However, some farmers needed a specific market which was supported by the government. It could also be the distribution center. Moreover, farmers wanted to participate in processes such as decision making, administration, mutual benefits, and market performance evaluation. 

2.  The arithmetic mean of the development of markets for safety agricultural products (vegetables and fruit) by community participation in Lop Buri Province was overall at a moderate level ( = 3.43, S.D. = 0.25). The mean could be arranged in descending order as the following; the participation in mutual benefits ( = 3.82, S.D. = 0.53), administration ( = 3.40, S.D. = 0.45), evaluation ( = 3.32, S.D. = 0.45), and planning and decision (  = 3.17, S.D. = 0.40).

The guidelines of market development for agricultural products (vegetables and fruit) in Lop Buri Province could be seen in providing the workshop seminars such as agricultural productions to farmers. Moreover, the members should participate in the capacity planning together for the constant producing of agricultural products. The involved agents should support and give some good suggestions to farmers. The establishing networks and the connection between farmers and both public and private agencies should be promoted. The farmer groups of agricultural products should be formed for market development for agricultural products. There could be the encouragement for all group members and experts to discuss and give some advice on how to produce, cultivate, and harvest agricultural products correctly. In addition, the inputs for producing an agricultural product such as the wood vinegar should be supported. The market zoning areas should be arranged for customers’ convenience such as the buying zone for reducing transportation costs. Farmers should also be supported to make their own brans for the acceptance using the same standards in the province.