Social Return on Investment of the Snakeskin Gourami (Plasalid) Farming in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province to Become Smart Farmer

Abstract

       The purposes of were to : 1) study aimed to study the process of snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming in the pattern of semi-intensive farming, 2) to evaluate Social Return on Investment (SROI) of snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming, 3) to evaluate and CO₂ equivalent emission before and after forecasts of Smart Farmer concepts, and 4) to  propose guideline for developing snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming. Data were collected by using questionnaire from 165 households in 23 villages using the proportion quota sampling method. The results showed that the assessment of SROI in snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming before and after applying the Smart Farmer concepts  were 1.90 and 2.43 respectively. The cost of farming was divided into three main processes, which were pond preparation, farming, and harvesting. CO2 equivalent emission before applying the Smart Farmer approach was a total of 2.038 KgCO₂eq /crop/Rai and when after applying, CO₂ equivalent emission was 1.660 KgCO₂eq / crop / Rai. As far as a forcasting of the implementation of  the Smart Farmer concepts there are increased knowledge about snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming, applying knowledge to decision making in solving the problems, career development for product quality and consumer safety, and reduction of  the main cost of snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming. Also, the management of waste from production increases economic value and consider environmental responsibility by changing the fuel energy from diesel to biodiesel. It indicates that the implementation of Smart Farmer concepts to snakeskin gourami (Plasalid) farming can increase social returns on investment by 27.89% and can help reduce CO₂ equivalent emission by 18.55%.