การสร้างนวัตกรรมอาชีพการเกษตร เพื่อพัฒนาเศรษฐกิจฐานรากและบรรเทาผลกระทบจากโควิด-19 พื้นที่จังหวัดสงขลา (สงขลาโมเดล)

Title

Creating of innovation platform in agricultural career for local economy development and mitigation effects from COVID-19 in the area of Songkhla Province (Songkhla Model)

Keywords

Agricultural innovation platform,foundation economy,Songkhla model

Abstract

Songkhla model project was a project for developing agricultural career and relieve effect of COVID-19 pandemic. The project aimed to transfer scientific knowledge to farmers for increase income, enhancing grassroot economy and transform farmers’ agricultural mindset into appropriate mindset. The project consists of 7 sub-projects (para rubber, oil palm, orchard, laying duck, beef cattle, catfish, and organic vegetable) conducted in area of Rattaphum district and Singhanakhon district Songkhla province. Methodology for this project consist of farmer gathering, organise workshop for knowledge transferring in each sub-project, consulting, and guiding farmer by expert, organise workshop for agricultural mindset steering. In addition, schedule interview was employed for farmers basic information data collection and farmers’ attitude on mindset steering workshop, overview of the project, adoption of the project and achievement of the project in term of income and project investment. The results showed that 247 farmers participated in the project para rubber sub-project was a major agricultural activity (39.40%). Farmers had average area of 10.91 rai, mean family member was 4.31 people with average labour force 2.29 people/family, 71% of farmer family had debt with average value 36,300 baht/family most of debt were in official finance system. COVID-19 pandemic effected 66.00% earned less family income, agricultural cost increased 72.00% at 906.38 baht/month, more than 50% had to pay more in household expenditure. However, farmer family in the study had less effect on family migrate back domicile and children education due to the pandemic. Regarding mindset workshop, farmer had latitude level at agree and practice following principle from mindset workshop in regularly level. Besides, farmers had latitude level at agree for Songkhla project and they gained knowledge in average 67.10% before participating the project. Regarding adoption of knowledge from the project, farmers practiced following knowledge from the project in regularly level. In term of income increasing, farmers earned more 2,034.04 baht/month of 18.99% from participate the project. From 7 sub-projects, 34 innovators were raised. Business model from this project can be analysed as entrepreneurship building in farmers. The project had a chance to extend the works to official provincial organizations by people who directly in charge which are Vice Governor of Songkhla province and President of Songkhla Provincial Administration Organization. Finally, ROI of the project was 57% in 3 years and SROI was 1.00 baht with return 1.25 baht.