Statement of the Problems

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Statement of the Problems

Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO] 2013c, 2013f reported that rice is the biggest commodity in terms of production in the world. In 2009, world rice production recorded 456,8 million tons of milled rice and in 2011 increase to 481,2 million tons. These rice production based on 163 million ha area harvest in the world. The average of world yield is currently 4.8 tons per ha. It has increase from 2009 respectively. Asia is the biggest region in rice production, accounting for 435 million tons of milled rice production in 2011. It based on 145.2 million hectares rice harvest area. Rice is an important commodity in the world, because of rice is a major food staple and a mainstay for the rural population and for household food security. Asia have an important roles in world rice condition, because of 90 of world rice production comes from Asia. Rice is considered as a “strategic “ commodity in many countries both developed and developing and has consequently remained subject to a wide range of government controls and interventions. Global rice consumption in 2011 is around of 449,7 million tons of milled rice. Asia is not only as the biggest producer in rice commodity in the world but also as the biggest consumer in rice. In 2009, total consumption of milled rice in Asia around of 397 million tons with 77 kg per capita. Based on International Grain Council 2013, shows that there was increasing on trend both of rice production and rice consumption in the world. It is predicted start from 2016, world rice consumption is more higher than world rice production. It is mean that demand of rice is higher than supply. It can affected in sustainable condition. Sustainable of food become the major focus in agricultural development because of the main function of rice as a major staple food in the world. 2 Thailand is agricultural country, with total population growth up to 0,3 until 2012. The increasing of total population not related with total employment in agricultural sector. In 2008 total employment in agriculture about 43 of total population, in 2009 it decreased became 39 respectively. Rice is the most important staple crop for Thailand because 65 of farmer belonging in rice farming. Rice is the important commodity in Thailand, not only as a staple food but also as export commodity FAO, 2013d. International Rice Research Institution [IRRI] 2013 reported that there was increasing in Thailand milled rice production from 2000 until 2011. In 2000 Thailand rice milled production was around of 17.229,27 tons and increased 24.2 in 2009 21.410,73 tons. In addition, consumption of milled rice has increased to approximately 24.3 in 2009 from 10.436 tons in 2000 to 12.969 tons. It can be seen that percentage of increasing in production and consumption is equal. Increasing in rice consumption and rice production become the factor of increasing in pesticides use in Thailand. Mostly pesticides in Thailand is imported product, and increased every year. Paneat 2012 pointed that total imported pesticides in Thailand increased every year. In 2000, quantity of pesticides import less of 40.000 tons, in 2010 quantity of pesticides import was 120.000 ton. It can be seen that Thailand’s pesticides imports was extremely increase. According to Tapintha 1998, pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are used widely in modern agriculture. These chemical compounds are used by farmers worldwide to protect crops from insects and mites, weeds and aquatic plants that clog irrigation systems, plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses, nematodes, snails and slugs, rodents, and birds that consume enormous quantities of seed and grain. Pesticides have been used globally to minimize financial losses and maintain food supplies. Increasing in agricultural production become the main factor of increasing pesticide use. Indiscriminate and excessive uses of pesticides are causing inexorable damage to health and environment. The dissemination of the input intensive technology package during the green revolution period failed to recognize the gravity of mishandling and intricate technology APO, 2000. Increasing in 3 pesticides use can be indicator of environmental pollution. Regarding the more awareness of food safety among environment and consumer, IPM become one of the advance technology that can provide this point. Kumari 2012 pointed that integrated pest management IPM is a systematic approach to pest management that focuses in minimize pest population below economic threshold level ETL or keep pest population at an acceptable level in some tactics. Tactics may include cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods of pest management. Ratchaburi is located 80 kilometers west of Bangkok. Ratchaburi is one province in central of Thailand. Agriculture become the main important of income source in Ratchaburi, which 41,4 of household incomes from agriculture sector. Total land holding in Ratchaburi is currently 21.592.365 rai or 3.454.778,4 ha, of which 39,6 8.541.412 rai is rice area. In 2003 rice production recorded 249.000 tons. Considering the use of pesticides, 75 reported using pesticides, of which 71,1 used chemical pesticides, 5.3 using organic, and 1,3 using natural enemies National Statistic Organization [NSO], 2003. Adoption in IPM technologies cannot do in clearly, there are many factors that can affect the decision making of farmers to adopt or not. Therefore, this study focus on determinate factors that affecting rice farmers to adopt IPM technology in study area Chedi Hak Sub District, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. In order to form an appropriate strategy and recommendation for designing a model of IPM technology and to enhance adoption among farmers.

1.2 Research Questions