ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARTHWORM FERTILIZER FOUNDATION OF THE BAN PHO SADET OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, MUEANG DISTRICT, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to study the grassroots economic development of vermicompost production by the Ban Pho Sadet occupational group in Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, along with proposing suitable development guidelines. This study employed a mixed methods research approach, integrating quantitative findings to support qualitative data. The quantitative sample consisted of 370 residents in Pho Sadet Sub-district, with the sample size determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table and selected through simple random sampling. Qualitative data were gathered from 20 purposively selected key informants, comprising 2 leaders of the vermicompost production group, 5 group members, 3 community leaders, 5 vermicompost users, and 5 agricultural academics. The research instruments included questionnaires and unstructured interview forms, with data collected through interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The research findings indicate four main aspects of grassroots economic development from vermicompost: 1) marketing promotion and new income generation, 2) increased production, 3) management, and 4) community participation. Overall, the need for development in these areas was at the highest level (mean = 4.57, standard deviation = 0.52). Recommendations for development include: 1) promoting marketing channels and creating alternative income, 2) enhancing standards and developing new products, 3) planning raw material procurement and utilizing technology to increase production efficiency, 4) restructuring management for clarity and implementing information technology systems, and 5) promoting group formation, knowledge sharing, and continuous training to develop knowledge for community-level expansion