Guidelines for Sustainable Agricultural Development through The Analysis of Cost, Volume, and Profit via an Application: A Case Study of Pesticide-Free Watermelon in Ban Tung Ao, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) study the factors involved in calculating costs, quantity, and profits from growing pesticide-free watermelons in Ban Thung Ao, 2) develop a model for analyzing costs, quantity, and profits from watermelon cultivation through an application, and 3) examine the satisfaction towards the analysis model using the application. This research was a mixed-method: quantitative and qualitative. The sample consisted of members of the community enterprise of pesticide-free watermelon farmers in Ban Thung Ao. In the quantitative study, the data were collected from 52 participants through purposive sampling using a questionnaire and analyzed by using mean and standard deviation. In the qualitative research, 30 key informants were selected based on voluntary participation. The data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, followed by content analysis. The results revealed that: the watermelon yield was 1,500 kilograms per rai, with revenue of 30,750 baht per rai, total cost of 18,046 baht per rai, break- even point 880.29 kilograms per rai. Also, the analysis model for costs, quantity, and profits was developed through the use of a mobile application, as it was an easy-to-access channel that farmers were familiar with and required no additional investment or procurement. Additionally, farmers were satisfied with the application, finding it easy to use, providing valuable data for making production management decisions, reducing production costs, and being beneficial and well-suited to the context of the area.