The guidelines for enhancing farmers’ potential towards the participatory guarantee system of Chaiyaphum Organic Farmers Network

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the problem conditions and approaches to empower farmers to enter the participatory organic agriculture standard (PGS) certification of the Chaiyaphum Organic Farming Network. A mixed-methods design was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data. The study was divided into three phases: 1) collecting questionnaire responses from 108 farmers, 2) interviewing 21 farmers, and 3) focusing group discussions with 21 members from the farmer-development group selected by purposive sampling. The statistics used in the quantitative data analysis were percentage, mean, and standard deviation and qualitative data using content analysis methods. The results showed that the problem condition of entering the standard certification was at a low level on average ( = 2.19), while the moderate problem condition were Item 13 ( = 2.80), Item 8 ( = 2.57), and Item 7 ( = 2.51). As one crucial lesson and suggestion, the participants reported the committee's delay in the announcement to use PGS because of disagreement in rule no. 1.

          The interview revealed the participants’ questions to specific definitions of terms and guidelines. To solve the problems, several actions were initiated to support the farmers. For example, definitions of terms and guidelines, especially for item 1, were improved to be clear, a video clip presentation was created, the announcement to use PGS and the guarantee of plantation plots were accelerated, and policies were publicized. The research impacts were the development of standards for the assurance and the acknowledgement and the announcement of to use of PGS. Further research should be conducted to increase knowledge on raising livestock in local organic systems, especially using antibiotics and herbs to cure sick animals.