systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...

THE IMPACT OF FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH IN THAILAND
B. shinawatra1, C. sukapon$, P. ~oodtikam' P. ~eundao~,
P. Padermchai , and B. Ontuam 3
This paper examines the impact of two farming systems research
technologies introduced in Dok Kham Tai District, Phayao
Province, Northern Thailand. The two technologies, mungbean
before rice and direct seedin of rice, were considered mature
enough for extension. The ormer was to increase cropping
intensity, farm income, and utilize beginning off-season moisture
while the latter was to stabilize rice production in areas where
there was a problem concerning the unreliability of rainfall. The
adoption of mungbean before rice was widespread with ups and
downs. It was more appropriate in upper paddy where
waterlogging was unlikely. Many farmers suffered losses from
flooding in certain years. Average yields were found to be lower
than expected (40-48 kg/rai versus the expected 88-161 kg/rai). A
total of 10,046 rai was found planted in mungbean in 1991.
Average cash gross margin per farm was 2,876 baht and 506 baht if
family labor was costed. On a per rai basis, cash gross margin was
271 baht and 91 baht with family labor included. Great price
variability was also observed. While mungbean provided farmers
some additional income, added organic matter and fertilizers to
the soil, and yielded higher rice output in the next season, it can
create delays and potential yield loss in the production of the
following rice crop. Direct seeding of rice was not as easily
adopted by farmers in the study area as compared to mungbean
before rice. When rainfall was adequate and regular, farmers did
not see the need to direct seed. Transplanting of rice was still
commonly practiced up to 1989. Direct seeding of rice became
popular in the study area in 1990 onwards because rainfall was
found to be usually inadequate for rice transplanting and labor
costs high during peak demand periods. Direct seeding of rice with
the use of an appropriate model of mechanical seeders introduced
by the FSR project substantially reduced costs of rice planting. In
1991, some 2,433 rai was planted to direct seeded rice in Dok
Kham Tai, Phayao. Farmers found direct seeding convenient, easy
to practice, and cost-effective. Many of them acquired their own
mechanical seeders. The practice is expected to expand at a rapid
rate in the future both in this area and neighboring areas. The
choice between mungbean before rice and direct seeding of rice
sometimes has to be made but with proper time management of
the two crops, farmers can ractice both technologies thereby
enjoying much increased bene p its.
'~ulti~le Cropping Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University,
Chiang Mai, Tha~land.
2~arming Systems Research Institute, Thailand.
3~hayap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.