Factors Affecting Increase of Soybean Production in Changwat Phitsanulok

Abstract

The objectives of the research were 1) to analyze social and economic factors affecting soybean production and 2) to study problems and suggestions for soybean production. The sample was derived from 378 farmers in Amphoe Watbode, Prompiram, and Bangrakam, Phitsanulok province, and consisted of farmers who grew soybean after rice paddy in 1996. Data were collected by the use of questionnaires. Statistical procedures included percentage, arithmatic mean, and multiple regression analysis by forward method. The results revealed that factors affecting soybean production of farmers were: increasing production cost, expanding sizes of soybean cropping areas, increasing production incomes, and not being group membership in dealing with soybean. These four variables were accounted for 48.0 percent of soybean production increase. Problems facing farmers in producing soybean were: dispersion of insect pests, lack of farm machinery and labors, lack of capitals, unstable production prices, and lack of appropriate knowledge. Suggestions for development of soybean production based on needs of the farmers were: to seek gorvenmental assistance to advocate group activities, to decrease production cost, to supply soybean seeds, to supply irregation, to guarantee prices, to promote soybean processing, to provide adequate knowledge, and to support farm machinery, pesticides, fertilizers and plant hormone.