An Extension Model of Smart Farming for Vegetable Production by Young Smart Farmers in Eastern Region of Thailand

Abstract

This research article objectives were to study 1) fundamental agricultural conditions and the adoption of smart agricultural technology in vegetable production; 2) smart agricultural extension in vegetable production, analyze and synthesize the extension model for smart farming in vegetable production; and 3) the assessment the model for smart farming in vegetable production. The research was a mixed method research including both quantitative and qualitative methods. The population of this study was 352 young smart farmers and related individuals from various departments. Data were collected by using questionnaires with the sampling of 188 young smart farmers and in-depth interview with the sampling of 6 young smart farmers who adopted technology at the highest level and 5 related individuals with smart farming extension. Data were then analyzed by using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and content analysis.    

The results of the research are found as follows: 1) Most of young smart farmers received knowledge regarding smart farming technology from the government sector, produced the vegetable in the form of fresh vegetable. 56.9% of them adopted smart farming technology at the lowest level; 2) Young smart farmers had the level of knowledge received from the extension in both smart farming technology content and different methods at the low level and wanted to receive the extension at the high level. They thought that smart farming technology was useful and the model in smart farming extension in vegetable production consisted of knowledge resource from government sector, private sector, and educational institutions. The extension aspect was the smart farming technology from upstream, midstream, and downstream. The extension methods in various forms were such as personal, group form, and mass forms and informational technology. The target group was young smart farmers; and 3) The assessment results of the model of smart farming extension model in vegetable production revealed that the propriety, the feasibility, and the utility towards the adoption of smart farming extension in vegetable production were at the highest level. The smart farming extension model in vegetable production of young smart farmers would thrive by having various factors such as extension division, support, policy, farmer, funding, and types of vegetable/valued vegetable.