Intellectual Capital: Organic Rice Production, Processing, and Trade of Farmers in the Upper North Thailand

Authors

  • Yathaweemintr Peuchthonglang, Kangsadan Kanokhong, Phahol Sakkatat, Saisakul Fongmul

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the situation, intellectual capital, and organic rice production, processing, and trade of farmers in the upper northern region of Thailand. The research model is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. The research area is of 1,330 Rai of organic rice for single and group farmers in 9 districts, 26 sub-districts in the upper northern region. Target groups of important informants are divided into 3 groups which are 1) 75 single farmers, 2) 84 group farmers, and 3)15 prototype farmers, folk philosophers, and scholars of organic rice, a total of 174 people selected by the specified criteria. There are 3 types of research instruments which are questionnaires, interview forms, and group discussions. The quantitative data analysis is based on descriptive statistics such as percentage, standard deviation and inferential statistics such as multiple regression analysis. Furthermore, the qualitative data is based on content analysis and synthesis, then write in descriptive technique.  The results of the research are found that:

           1) The situation of organic rice farming of farmers has important factors which are (1) determining the target area to promote rice cultivation; (2) registration of rice farmers; (3) good seed production and distribution, and paddy field rental control; (4) land readjustment and leveling of paddy fields; and (5) increasing in rice production efficiency.

           2) Intellectual capital is derived from the learning of farmers in 7 ways which are (1) ancestors; (2) trial and error; (3) real practice; (4) training; (5) demonstration; (6) learning sources; (7) knowledge exchange between networks

           3) Production models include (1) ground preparation; (2) rice varieties selection; (3) rice planting methods; (4) soil maintenance; (5) pest eradication; (6) harvesting; and (7) requesting for standards. Processing includes (1) threshing; (2) rice milling; (3) packaging; and (4) packaging design. For organic rice trading are (1) membership markets; (2) general markets; (3) flea markets; (4) online markets; and (5) specialty channels.

Published

2020-02-29

Issue

Section

Articles