A psychometric study of Thai farmer's risk perception on agricultural risks

Abstract

Agricultural risks, such as pests and disease, crop price, debt, and floods and/or droughts, pose a threat to farmers as their livelihood relies on their crop yields. The purpose of this research is to evaluate cash crop and high-value crop farmers’ risk perception towards agricultural risks, as well as their ability to cope and deal with these risks in Ayutthaya and Chanthaburi Province, Thailand.

To determine the perceptions on agricultural risk, the psychometric paradigm was used which is among the first study in Thailand to do so. This study hypothesized that different crop types, farming regions, and socio-economic factors, may play a role in differing risk perceptions in the two groups of farmers. A sample of 100 farmers were chosen from each province via a cluster and purposive sampling technique. Quantitative analysis was used to collect primary data using questionnaires for each group.

The findings showed the age of durian farmers being younger, with 35% under the age of 30 and 65% of rice farmers 50 or older. Education levels varied greatly as 83% of rice farmers’ highest education completed secondary school, while 38% of durian farmers obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. Over 50% of each group’s annual household income was under 100,000 baht (~3,000 USD), with 10% more durian farmers making over 400,000 baht (~11,000 USD). Data showed that both groups perceive pests and disease, crop price, debt, and floods and/or droughts as major risks.

According to the survey results, both groups showed a high level of knowledge and dread for all agricultural risks. Regression analysis results determined age, education, annual household income, rais of land, and financing the farming business statistically significant as factors determining risk perception for both the durian and rice farmers. This study can provide policymakers, agricultural organizations, and future researchers information to be able to implement the most effective strategies to protect the farmer, such as infrastructure grants, crop insurance protection plans, and disaster response education.