ผลกระทบจากราคายางพาราตกต่ำต่อสภาพทางเศรษฐกิจและการจัดการสวนยางพาราของเกษตรกรในอำเภอนาหม่อม จังหวัดสงขลา

Abstract

This study aimed to examine (1) the social and economic features of the farmers, (2) the rubber plantation management of the farmers, (3) the impact of rubber price downturn towards the economic situation and rubber plantation management of the farmers, and (4) the farmers' adaptation after the rubber price downturn in Namom District, Songkhla Province. The secondary data was compiled while the primary data was collected from the interview of 120 farmers, who own tapped plantations less than 50 rais and have experienced in rubber plantations at least 10 years. The data analysis was implemented by the descriptive statistics. In addition, the quantitative statistics was applied by t-Statistics in form of Paired Test. The study revealed as details. The farmers are 52.8 years old on average and primary level educated or lower (53.3%). The average household members are 3.99 people; meanwhile, 2.01 members assist in rubber plantation management. The farmers operate rubber plantations as their main occupation (90.8%), and implement supplementary career (70.8%), which is mainly local trading (45.9%). Total incomes and expenditures are 22,688 and 21,214 baht/month on average respectively. The majorities are in debt (81.7%) and are formally financed (94.9%). The farmers' land ownership is 18.27 rais/household. The rubber plantations were occupied for 15.95 rais/household on average. The tapped rubber plantations are 12.54 rais/household. The farmers have experienced in rubber plantations for 29.93 years. The area condition of rubber plantations are mostly flat with sandy loam. All farmers plant RRIM 600 variety. Furthermore, weed elimination is implemented. Most of the weed is eradicated by lawn mower (91.7%), and chemical together with organic fertilizers (67.5%). None of ground cover plants are found (92.5%). The intercrops (in young rubber plantation) and rubber-based intercrops (in mature rubber plantation) are pianted (15.0%, 26.7%) respectively. Most of the farmers tap rubber trees for 3 days and skip 1 day (53.3%). All farmers distribute their produces in form of field latex and do not have any idea to switch the produce from field latex to be raw rubber sheet (90.8%). Before the rubber price downturn, the farmers eam their incomes from rubber plantations and the savings as 32,546 and 7,100 baht/month respectively. Weed elimination is implemented at 1.53 times a year. Chemical fertilizers are applied at 1.47 times/year. The quantity of chemical fertilizers are applied at 83.25 kg/rai/year. After the rubber price downturn, the farmers' incomes and savings decrease to be 12,212 and 2,391 baht/month respectively. Weed eradication is lessened to be 1.38 times/year; in addition, fertilizer application is conducted at 1.08 times/year. The fertilizer quantity is reduced to be 54.94 kilograms/rais. The comparison analysis on the situation before and after the rubber price downturn revealed as follows. The incomes from rubber plantations, savings amount, frequency of weed eradication and fertilizer application, and quantity of fertilizer application decrease with statistical significance with P-Value 0.000 each. The pattern and adaptability after the rubber price downturn revealed as details. The farmers adapt themselves to minimize the impact (59.2%). The production cost reduction is conducted (87.3%). The farmers do not adapt themselves (40.8%) with the following reasons. The farmers earn extra incomes from other sources (44.9%). The time and labors are constrained (36.7%). The bank deposits are drawn out to use in the operation (34.7%). The space is limited (32.7%). The finance and investment are limited (20.4%). To draw out much more money from financial institutions to be used could affect the financial position of the farmers in the future. The area limitations are described as details. The farmers own small size of land; therefore, it is not adequate for other purposes. Some parts of the area are hillside and slope, which are not suitable for agricultural activities.