An Appropriate Agricultural Extension System for Central Region of Thailand

Abstract

The Purposes of this research were: 1) to determine the philosophy, policy and responsibilities of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) at the central and regional levels; 2) to study the basic situation of academic offices administrators, extension officers and farmer leaders; 3) to determine the appropriateness, efficiency and sufficiency of the agricultural extension service operations that the DOAE are conducting in the central region of Thailand; 4) to study some of the significant variables affecting the agricultural extension system; and 5) to propose an appropriate system for the central region of Thailand. The study was based on an analysis of relevant documents and survey data obtained from mailed questionnaires. The sample group comprised a simple random sampling and a multi-stage sampling of 100 academic officers and administrators of the DOAE and a purposive sampling of 120 extension officers of the DOAE. The mailed questionnaires were returned by 95 (95.00%) of the academic officers and administrators, and 100 (83.34%) of the extension officers. A total of 100 farmer leaders from regions which were selected by a simple random sampling were interviewed. Statistical procedures used in analyzing the data included frequency, percentage, mean, t-test, analysis of variance and the Scheffes'test. Based on this study, it was concluded that: the DOAE had not directly identified its philosophy, but has the responsibility and authority to serve and transfer modern agricultural knowledge and technology to farmers throughout the country. The DOAE has set a policy that is consistent with the policies of the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the National Economic and Social Plan and global changes in the agricultural economy. The Central Administration is responsible for policy making, general administration, academic and extension service administration while the Local Administration adopts the policies and the plans from the Central Administration for implementation and also represents the Ministry at the provincial and subdistrict levels as well. The appropriateness, efficiency and sufficiency of the agricultural extension service operations were rated "fair" by the academic officers, administrators, and extension officers while the significance of the selected variables of the agricultural extension system were rated "above average". The comparisons among the mean scores of opinion ratings on the appropriateness of the Participatory Agricultural Extension System (PAES), Farming System Development Agricultural Extension System, and Farmers'Activity Agricultural Extension System showed that the PAES mean score was rated highest by the academic officers, administrators, extension officers, and farmer leaders. The PAES mean score rated by the farmer leaders was significantly higher than those of the academic officers, administrators, and extension officers (P≤ 0.05). There were no significant differences found when a comparison was made among the other mean scores. The farmer leaders were of the opinions that PAES was the most appropriateness agricultural system for the central region of Thailand. Therefore the agricultural extension system for the Thai central region is based on the PAES by selecting only elements from the agricultural extension system and significant variables that rated "above average" to be synthesized and appropriately integrated. Then set up a structural framework comprising concepts, objectives, principles, system elements, evaluation procedures, system approach, management and extension strategies as a guideline for practical application.