Assessment of Farmers’ Perception on Rice Seed Production Standard in Nakhon Sawan Province, Lower Northern Thailand

The objectives of this investigation were to determine general background of farmers, their existing rice seed production condition, their perception of rice seed production standard, and constraints on farmers’ rice seed production. The sample of 66 selected rice farmers in Thamai Sub-District, Chumsaeng District, Nakhon Sawan Province was estimated using the formula developed by Arkin (1974) through multistage sampling technique. Data was obtained by interview schedule under close observation and in-depth discussion with key persons in the research site. The results revealed that average age of respondent was 48.09 years. Average year of rice seed cultivation experience was 4.36 years. The average size of owned land for seed cultivation was 3.36 hectares. Total seed cultivation land, accounting for 74.88%, was farmers’ owned land that they inherited from their parents. These can reduce the risk in farming because it is their own land. The results of assessment of farmers’ perception indicated that most of respondents had the required knowledge in seed production standard. They could answer correctly questions regarding rice seed production technology. Most of them had positive attitude toward the proposed standard practice. Nearly 60% of the respondents followed the right production practices. Farmers’ characteristics factors affecting seed yield were number of extension contact, farm media perception, and participation in community intervention program, respectively. The constraints in rice seed production improvement were high cost of inputs, high cost of fertilizer, low rice price, and climate variability, respectively.