การจัดการการผลิตและการดำรงชีพของครัวเรือนเกษตรกรชาวสวนยางพาราภายใต้ระบบการทำสวนยางพาราร่วมกับกิจกรรมไม้ผลในตำบลทุ่งนุ้ย อำเภอควนกาหลง จังหวัดสตูล

Abstract

This study was survey research that aimed to examine the states of economy, society, production management, and sustainable livelihoods under rubber-based intercropping system along with fruit trees of farmer households in Thungnui sub-district, Khuan Kalong district, Satun Province. Suggestions and guidelines for developing the rubber-based intercropping along with fruit tree activities would be provided to let farmer households have sustainable livelihoods. 256 people were selected as a sample group. A structured instrument was used for data collection. And also, 20 represented farmers were selected for in-depth interviewing with a semi-structured instrument. Descriptive statistics such as average and percentage were used for data analysis. The results of the study indicated that there were 85 households equal to 33.20% doing rubber- based cropping activities by planting rubber trees along with more than 3 kinds of fruit trees. Most farmers would plant these fruit trees at different plots to facilitate plantation management. The famous fruit trees intercropped with rubber trees were rambutan, long kong, mangosteen, durian, and chempedak, Farmers had experienced for doing rubber plantations and fruit trees at an average of more than 25 years and earned incomes from the agricultural sector for an average at 196,219.44 baht/year. The study found that the major incomes were those from rubber plantations and the secondary incomes were those from doing fruit trees. Household labor was used mostly. Trends that mostly affected the livelihoods of farmers were decreasing rubber and fruit prices, increasing production cost, having rainfall uncertainty, oversupplying of rubber and fruit production, and having low new generation learning in the agricultural sector. Farmers had assets and capitals for livelihoods. Then farmers adapted themselves for having sustainable livelihoods by reducing chemical fertilizers, applying more organic fertilizers, doing home accounting, planning to do farming annually, grouping in the community, etc. These helped for better finance, livelihood, health, and social relationship. In brief, livelihoods of farmers doing rubber-based intercropping by planting rubber trees along with fruit trees were at the level that still needed for more adaptations. Farmers still lacked knowledge body for rubber plantation management and correct grouping. Good supports provided by the government sector have yet to reach all farmers.