Perception and Knowledge Transferring of New Theory Agriculture Between Practical and Non-practical New Theory Farmers in Mae Faek Mai Subdistrict, San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

          The purposes of this study were to study the perception and knowledge transferring of New Theory Agriculture, and study future decision-making to concern to New Theory Agriculture of farmers in Mae Faek Mai subdistrict, San Sai district, Chiang Mai province. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with two representative government officials and four farmers who practice with New Theory Agriculture, and distribution of structured questionnaires from 55 farmers who practice and another 55 farmers non-practice New Theory Agriculture, selected by purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and inference statistics.
          The results of the study found that the level of awareness about New Theory Agriculture among farmers who practice New Theory Agriculture is at a higher level (understanding) than farmers who non-practice New Theory Agriculture. The source of information perception for both groups of farmers is the personal media, especially community leaders and farmer leaders. Both groups of farmers have the opportunity to meet and talk to share information every day. In particular, farmers who practice New Theory Agriculture communicate with each other within the group by transferring with other people, especially relatives, farmer within group, and people in the community. However, the communication methods of farmers who practice New Theory Agriculture will provide the core successful leaders and farmers embrace knowledge from a variety of sources and analyze it, and also experiment before expanding the results to group members. In addition, farmers who practice New Theory Agriculture intend to expand their agricultural area to do New Theory Agriculture, increasing 40%, while farmers who non-practice New Theory Agriculture tend to practice New Theory Agriculture increasing 85.45%.The factors affecting non-compliance with New Theory Agriculture, due to farmers perceive that agricultural are is not suitable for New Theory Agriculture. This is because farmers who non-practice New Theory Agriculture lack proper knowledge of New Theory Agriculture, they are still unable to practice with New Theory Agriculture.