YIMCHOWNA: GUILDELINES TO PROMOTE RICEBERRY PRODUCTION, A CASE STUDY OF BAN PA MAI FARMING COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE GROUP, THA NGIO SUB-DISTRICT, MUEANG DISTRICT, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research aimed to 1) Study the Riceberry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group; 2) Study the problems of Rice berry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group; 3) Study the guidelines to promote Riceberry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group of Tha Ngio Sub-district, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. This research had used qualitative research method. The research tools were in-depth interviews and group discussions. The sample was from purposive sampling. Key informants consisted of the members of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group with a total of 18 persons, and the supporters and promoters of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group with a total of four persons. The data was analyzed using content analysis and summarization. The research found that 1) Riceberry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group consisted of 1.1) Soil preparation for rice planting; 1.2) Rice seed preparation; 1.3) Rice planting was divided into two types; 1.4) Maintenance, the rice plants must have been nourished with fertilizer according to the growing age; 1.5) Harvesting from the date of planting about 120 - 130 days, the harvest was divided into two types: manual labor and machinery. 2. The Problems of Rice berry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group consisted of 2.1) Funding problems; 2.2) Environmental problems from flooding during the rainy season because the area was a basin; 2.3) Marketing problems, the consumer group was only a small group, making it unable to expand the market much. 3. Guidelines to promote Riceberry production of Ban Pa Mai Farming Community Enterprise Group consisted of 3.1) Promoting the network of community organizations; 3.2) Promoting learning exchange activities; 3.3) Promoting the aspect of marketing.