A process of knowledge application in integrated farming practices of community and farmers: A case study of Ban Nong Kradon Mon, Nong Yasai District, Suphanburi Province

Abstract

    This qualitative research aimed to study a process of knowledge application in integrated farming practices of communityand farmers. Ban Nong Kradon Mon, Nong Yasai District, Suphanburi Province was selected as a case study. Data were collected from group in-depth interview with 5 community leaders purposively selected at a community level. In addition, individual in-depth interviews with 7 farmers selected using typical sampling and template sampling techniques from those who have actually practiced integrated farming. Qualitative data analysis was used through unitizing, categorizing, and templatebased approaches.

The results showed that the process of knowledge application in integrated farming practices at a community level was a learning process aiming to solve agricultural problems with appropriate solutions. Community leaders have a major role in building up a learning process through community forums, causing learning participation in developing integrated farming patterns appropriate to the community context. At the same time, individual farmers used a learning–by-doing process for applying and extending knowledge in their integrated farming practices. The learning process of farmers provided them with expansive knowledge and greater carefulness in the way of practices in consistent with the context of farming areas contributing to agricultural sustainability.