Break Even Point Analysis of Leb Nok Pattani Rice on Farmers in Phatthalung Province

Abstract

                        This research aimed (1) to conduct cost and break-even point analysis of Patthalung farmers’ Leb Nok Pattani rice and (2) to study the farmers’ problems in farming. Interviews were conducted as the research tool. The farmers whose farming areas, according to the land titles, were 1 to10 rais, 11 to 20 rais, and 21 to 30 rais were the interviewees. Findings are summarized as follows:

                        1) The manufacturing and break-even point cost given to the farmers who did not take out a loan for investing in the rented farming areas of 1-10 rais  had an average variable cost  of 2,914.05 baht per rai, an average fixed cost of 1,419.18 baht per rai, an average break-even point cost  of 503.26 kilograms per rai, an average product of 528.32 kilograms per rai, and an average profit of 72.96 kilograms per rai.

                2) The manufacturing and break-even point cost given to the farmers who took out a loan for investing in the rented farming areas of 11-20 rais were an average variable cost  of 2,863.49 baht per rai, an average fixed cost of 1,043.97  baht per rai, an average break-even point cost of 382.41  kilograms per rai, an average product  of 500.63  kilograms per rai, and an average profit of 322.86 kilograms per rai.

                3) The manufacturing and break-even point cost given to the farmers who took out a loan for investing in the rented farming areas of 21-30 rais were an average variable cost of 2,782.45 baht per rai, an average fixed cost of 916.54 baht per rai, an average break-even point cost of 321.59 kilograms per rai, an average product of 498.00 kilograms per rai, and an average profit of 504.13 kilograms per rai.

                4) The farmers’ most essential problems in farming as indicated by the percentage of informants were the expensive cost of production factors (97.64%), unreasonably low prices for the rice (95.80%), and the low rate of production per rai (88.71 %).