Thesis Abstract of AGS Students

Socio economic evaluation of integrated soil-water conservation and cropping systems: Case study in Namlang Area, Mae Hong Son province

Ashadi (1992)

Since 1987, Thai-Germany Highland Development Program (TG-HDP) and its coordinated agencies had promoted the Soil-Water Conservation (SWC) and Cropping Systems. One was the Grass Strips Cropping Systems. It was expected that the systems would be an appropriate concept for further implementation in other highland areas.

This study tries to evaluate the innovation, especially as it is viewed from socio-economic aspects. The objectives are to measure the adoption performance of the grass strips system, to assess the effects of the grass strips cropping systems on yield and farm income (rice and corn), soil erosion, livestock feed, and to investigate the socio-economic factors influencing farmers adoption. The location selected was Namlang, Pang Ma Pha Sub District, Mae Hong Son Province.

The method used is descriptive and survey technique. The data were collected through farmer interview. The comparative methods and percentage forms are applied. The logit model is used to analyze the socio-economic factors influencing their adoption. This analysis is based on cross sectional data of the year 1991.

The results revealed that up to 1991, the adoption performance of grass strips system was 42 percent of performance index, 37 percent of farm size index, and 15 percent achievement index. Respecting to the Project's Plan, the grass strips system could fulfill 95 percent of the 1992's target area. However it was the maximum number of achievement to date.

The performance index of improved rice variety (Chao Haw) and corn (Suwan 1) were 43 percent, and 10 percent for fertilizer's adoption. From farmers' view, the local varieties were more preferred.

Comparing to the traditional system, the grass strips system had positive effect on rice yield, but little for the gross margin. It was not significant difference for the yield and gross margin of corn. However the farm land with grass strips could be used continuously and the yields could be maintained, as expected by the project.

Based on farmers' opinion, farmers accepted the effectiveness of the grass strips in soil erosion control, but they would complaine it required more labors, and the grass caused itchiness. From farmers' estimation, the grass strips system yielded in average 706 baskets of grass per rai per year, which could provide feed 0.6 head of livestock.

The logit function indicated that the farmer(s)' adoption can be raised by increasing level of knowledge on grass strips, the farm size, leader adoption, the security of land tenure and the observed yield increment.

To raise the probability of adoption, the priority should be given to the security of land use and the production technology for yield improvement.

Finally, considering to the Grass Strips Cropping Systems advantages and its obstacles, it seems that the Grass Strips Cropping Systems is considered to be a viable alternative of SWC- Cropping Systems development.

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