Guidelines for Empowering Coffee Farmers in Highland Areas Pa Deng Sub-district and Huai Mae Phriang Sub-district, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province

Enhancing Farmer Potential , Highland Coffee Farming , Coffee Farmers

This research aimed to: 1) investigate the basic contextual background of coffee farmers, 2) assess the potential of coffee farmers, and 3) propose strategies to enhance their capacity. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The target group consisted of 32 purposively selected coffee farmers residing in Huai Mae Priang and Pa Deng Sub-districts, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province. In addition, 9 key informants were interviewed, including representatives from the Highland People Development Center, the "Pidthong Lang Phra" Royal Initiative Project, and experts in coffee cultivation and processing. Data collection tools comprised a dichotomous-choice questionnaire, which demonstrated a reliability coefficient (KR-20) of 0.924, and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using percentage statistics and content analysis.
The research results were as follows:
1. The contextual background of highland coffee farmers in the studied in Huai Mae Priang and Pa Deng Sub-districts, indicated that most practiced mixed cropping systems and predominantly refrained from using chemical substances. The coffee variety grown was mainly Robusta, and the processing method used was dry processing—sun-drying the coffee cherries before dehusking.
2. The overall capacity of highland coffee farmers of both sub-districts was 51.33%, which was categorized as low. The dimension by descending order were as follows : knowledge of coffee production at 65.38%, management skills at 51.92%, financial and budgeting skills at 45.32%, and access to production equipment and facilities at 42.71%.
3. Recommended strategies to enhance the capacity of highland coffee farmers include: 1) promoting knowledge on seed propagation, pest and disease management in coffee farming; 2) promoting data management through annual financial recordkeeping to improve production and marketing efficiency; 3) enhancing financial literacy and access to funding sources for group-based economic activities, particularly in calculating production costs; and 4) supporting the provision of essential tools, equipment, and small-scale processing facilities to enable collective enterprise operations.

Thesis · Strategy for Sustainable Development

Sasivimol Kalong

Phetchaburi Rajabhat University

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TH-M.SD-001

TH

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