Promote and Develop the Quality of Durian to Meet Good Agricultural Standards; Case Study Large Agriculture Plot of Durian SiKhiet Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has a policy to promote and develop the quality of durian to meet good agricultural standards and control, prevent, and solve the problem of inferior quality durian entering the market. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province is the fifth-largest durian-producing area in the country. Country With a total production of 2023 of 80,959 tons, the main production sources are in Tha Sala District, Sichon District, Nopphitam District, and Phipun District, which is in the area of Si Khit Subdistrict, Sichon District, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Farmers have joined the project to promote and develop durian quality to meet good agricultural standards. In this study, the objectives were to (1) study the production of large plots of durian according to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the area of Si Khit Subdistrict, Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, (2) promote and develop the quality of large plots of durian in the subdistrict area. Si Khit, Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to meet good agricultural standards

Methodology: Qualitative Research was used in the study, using the In-depth Interview Questionnaire to collect data from 10 key informants: A group of durian farmers who have developed durian quality to good agricultural standards in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. A group of durian orchard farmers in Si Khit Subdistrict who operate or are interested in developing durian quality to good agricultural standards. A group of academics and community scholars are also working on developing durian quality to good agricultural standards. Data analysis used the content analysis method (Content Analysis).

Results: The production of large durian plots according to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards in the Si Khit Subdistrict area found that farmers could fully comply with the standards. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in terms of (1) water sources, (2) planting areas, (3) use of agricultural hazardous substances, (4) storage and transportation of produce, (5) data recording, (6) Production to be safe from pests, (7) Production process management to produce quality products, and (8) Harvesting and post-harvest practices.  The guidelines for promoting and developing the quality of large durian plots in the Si Khit Subdistrict, it was found to: (1) The water source should be developed as an intelligent water system. (2) The planting area should be developed according to GAP standards. (3) The use of materials, Danger, farmers should be trained (4) in storage, there should be training in maintaining (5) data recording, and a clear format for recording information should be established. (6) Production is safe from pests, research information about pest diseases (7) in managing production processes to produce quality products. Encourage new farmers and (8) harvesting and post-harvest practices. There should be training on how to view produce according to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Conclusion: Si Khit Subdistrict farmers excel in areas such as water sources, pest management, and harvesting techniques, and they successfully follow GAP standards for large durian plots. It is advised to create intelligent water systems, offer training on the handling and storage of hazardous materials, and create unambiguous data recording formats to further improve quality.