Determinants of Adoption of Crop Diversification by Smallholder Rubber Producers in Southern Thailand: Implications on Natural Resource Conservation

Abstract

     There is little empirical evidence regarding the local and internal drivers of diversification in rubber farming systems and crop diversification affecting the decisions of households in undertaking resource conservation measures. This study aimed to analyze the determinants of crop diversification and their effect on natural resource conservation. Primary data were collected from 200 farm households using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that 70 percent of the sampled farmers have diversified their farming systems. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant influence of several factors on the adoption of crop diversification by farmers: lack of water, attendance at agricultural training, rubber price fluctuations, savings, and schooling period. Multiple regression analysis, performed to explore the impact of crop diversification on natural resource conservation at the farm household level, revealed that diversified farming systems have a positive influence on natural resource conservation practices along with the other significant influencing factors of: attendance at agricultural training, schooling period, lack of water, and poor soil fertility. This study has practical implications for the present and future of crop diversification and natural resource conservation promotion in rubber farming systems.