Phop phra is one of 8 districts of Tak Province. The district is situated in a hilly area near the border to Myanmar. About 50% of district's hilly land area left to forest growth and patches of fruit crops orchard. On lands with 20-25% slope, the district extension officers discourage crop cultivation because it would aggravate the soil erosion problem that is already a major concern in the district. Phop phra is composed of 5 tambons, with 46 village communities. Statistic about the district in 1997 shows the population to be 28,931 persons making-up 7,634 households. Crops grown in the district are; maize (33,600 ha), vegetables (3,129 ha), rice (2,288 ha), fruit crops (1,030 ha) and cut flowers or roses (404 ha). Maize yield in the district ranged from 3,750 to 5,000 kg per ha.

Area Cultivated to maize this year (1998) has increased by at least 5.0% compared to the previous crop year of 1997. Due the favourable rainfall conditions (1,110 to 2,068 mm per year), the maize farmers in the district plant two crops of maize, the first crop is planted in May-June and the second crop in September-October. Unlike the maize growing region of the plain of Thailand, farmers in the district plant by hand at the spacing of 75 cm x 50 cm placing 2-3 seeds of maize to a hill. At this seeding rate the plant density is about 53,300 to 70,000 plant per ha (when no thinning is done). Most farmers do thinning when maize is initially seeded at three seeds per hill. Use of machinery is only possible in a few areas in the district, so most of the farmers plant maize using hoe to dig a hole and drop the seed. Proximity to the border also affords the farmers cheap labour to do most of the farm operation that are needed. Control of weeds is a major concerns since conventional land preparation to eliminate weeds is not always possible. To manage the weeds, farmers spray paraquat as post emergence control strategy. A typical fertilizer application to maize is a one time dose of ammophos at the rate of 156 kg per ha when crop is about 25 to 30 days old. Harvesting is done using hired labour.

This survey was done to familiarize the training participants with survey techniques, analysis and interpretation of results. A questionnaire was designed and pre-tested for this specific study. There are 217 items included in the questionnaire and translated in Thai language for ease in conducting and gathering of responses. The data and observations obtained were later transcribed and summarized in English. The survey was conducted in full cooperation of the Department of Agricultural Extension, DOAE, officers at the province and district offices. The selection of village to be surveyed and the choice of farmers were made by the DOAE officers. AMTC trainees were given briefing by DOAE officers about agriculture in the district and the province. After the briefing, the teams ( 5 groups including an interpreter) were dispatched to the farmer’s residence of the interview. When the interview was completed, the team asked the farmer to guide them to his maize fields to gather field assessment data, check the conditions of the maize crop and clarify with the farmer any possible problems and concerns noted during the field visit. All data collected from the survey were summarized and analysed under the direction of the invited lecturer in Economics. A brief report was written to fulfills this requirement of the training course.

The farmers interviewed for this survey probably did not represent the district of Phop phra because the farmers were the better farmers of the district. The survey found the average farm size of the sample farmers was 66.40 ha. His household has 4.0 members and 60% of them working in the farm. The farmers assets data indicate the sample farms were adequately capitalized (THB 675,500) with most of the investment going into the purchase of farm machinery (89%) and equipment (7.73%)

The total cropped area was found higher than the average farm area suggesting that some of the farmers surveyed used the land intensively (cropping intensity is 125%). Although most farmers planted hybrid maize the actual percentage of the farm planted to hybrid maize is only 71.97%, the farm is planted to other crops. On the average, the farmers interviewed rented 13.60 ha of additional at the prevailing rate of THB 2,625 per ha. Relative to current land value of THB 252,000 per ha, the rate of land is cheap. There is a high degree mechanization (60% of the respondents) among the sample farmers. To do most of the farm operations in maize. They usually use their own equipment (60% of the respondents). Those without equipment (40%) hire from within the village to secure the service. Hiring rate of THB 750.00 per ha is quite common. The present average maize farm size has increased by a factor 130.9% compared to the area in 1993. Most commonly use hybrid maize seeds are DK 888, Pioneer 3012 and Cargill 919.

As claimed by the respondents their highest maize yield during a very good year is about 6,081 kg per ha while during the drought year the lowest yield averaged 3,906 kg per ha. Last year’s crop, maize yield average was 5,223 kg per ha and the grain was at an average price of THB 3.98 per kg. Gross return from maize averaged THB 20,787 per ha and when the total input cost of THB 8,713 is deducted, a net return of THB 12,074 is obtained. This gives a ratio of input in the order of 2.38 which is very good. Increasing grain yield in maize is therefore the only way to increase the income of the maize farmers. On a per farm basis, the average gross return of the farmers interviewed is high, THB 252,000. When asked about the most common problems they thought as important, 50% of them mentioned high input cost and 40% considered the price of maize grain is low. The other problems rated by 20% of the respondents as also important are; inadequate financing, inputs not available, labour not available, farm machinery problems, high rent of land drought in early season (Table 1).

Table 1. Summary of survey data taken respondents in Phop Phra District, 1998.