A study of coffee extension status in the upper Northern provinces of Thailand
This study describes the problems encountered by the coffee extension programmes in the highlands of northern Thailand. It was started in 1984 and finished in 1986 and covered 9 upper northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Payao, Mae Hong Sorn and Tak. Problems enumerated were: inadequate training efforts in support of extension programmes; farmers did not follow directions given by the extension staff operating under government agencies and non-government highland development projects; crop husbandry measures were not taken sufficiently like mulching, weeding, fertilization and control of pests and diseases like stemborer pest and rust disease; inadequate know-how of hilltribe farmers of coffee technology; inadequate capital to buy inputs for proper field management; insufficient skill of extension officers to transfer knowledge and experience and lack of confidence to advise farmers proper ways of coffee growing; insufficient production versus a high demand on local Thai market and finally unstable prices, which discouraged farmers from selecting coffee as a profitable cash crop away from poppy cultivation. Recommendations for improved running of extension programmes include the following: -Establishment of proper recommendations on how to grow coffee. -Most suitable varieties should be introduced and certified seed distributed. -Credit systems should be introduced to ease access of farmers to farm inputs and spraying equipment. -Increase training of both extension officers and farmers in appropriate coffee technology towards increased production. -Improved channelling of coffee produce from farmers to market outlets to guarantee optimal prices. -The goverment should intensify its commitment to coffee extension and development and should set up an organization with full authority regarding promotion, national policy, production and quality and price control of coffee on a regional and national level
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Chiang Mai (Tailandia)
1988
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| Subjects: | COFFEA, EXTENSION, CAPACITACIÓN, ASISTENCIA TECNICA, TAILANDIA, |
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