The Modol for Creating the Khok Nong Na Project that Enhances the Happiness Farmers in Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This research had three objectives: 1) to study the components of experience management based on the Khok Nong Na Model, 2) to develop an experience management model for enhancing the happiness of farmers, and 3) to evaluate the developed model in Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao Province. A mixed-methods research design was employed, consisting of three phases: qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, model development through data synthesis, and quantitative research collecting data from a sample of 228 farmers drawn from a population of 525 participants in the Khok Nong Na Model project.

The findings revealed that: 1) the components of experience management were grounded in the Four Bases of Success (Iddhipada 4) and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, comprising five main components: systematic agricultural land management, efficient water system management, sustainable agriculture system development, farmer network group development, and practice in accordance with Iddhipada 4. 2)The developed model, named the K.H.O.K.N.O.G.N.N.A Model (Khok Nong Na Integrated Farming Model), consists of ten input components organized into three groups K.H.O.K (Khok), N.O.G.N (Nong), and N.A (Na)  implemented through a five-step process and directed toward four dimensions of farmer happiness: happiness from sustainable living, group participation, knowledge development, and a lifestyle connected to nature. 3) The evaluation results showed that all components were accepted at a high level ( = 3.41–3.53), with Knowledge Integration scoring highest ( = 3.53). The new body of knowledge generated by this research demonstrates that the model leads to the development of farmers who are skilled, virtuous, and happy possessing sharp agricultural wisdom, the ability to apply Iddhipada 4 in both normal and crisis situations, and the capacity to lead their communities toward sustainability through balanced and moderate management based on the Middle Path principle.