Development of Rubber Farmer Groups Towards Good Agricultural Practices for Rubber in the form of Cup Lump Rubber in the Northern Region of Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to develop a group of rubber farmers in northern Thailand to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cup-lump rubber and to explore approaches to developing GAP for cup-lump rubber. The study focused on rubber farmers in Phrao District, Chiang Mai Province, using a participatory action research methodology. The research involved two steps.  1) assessing the farmers' capacity to manage rubber plantations according to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) principles; and 2) proposing recommendations for developing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cup-lump rubber farmers. The study found that in 2022, farmers had an average rubber plantation area of 3.31 Ha, generating an average income of 235,549.33 baht per year from rubber plantations, while incurring average plantation management expenses of 4,621.46 baht per year. Most farmers sold their products as dry cup lumps to their cooperative members, and most had a high potential for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in rubber (average 4.13). The development of rubber farmer groups in northern Thailand toward Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for rubber in the form of cup lumps should involve promoting member participation, particularly in farmer group management, and establishing clear standards for rubber trading. This should be coupled with the development of knowledge and skills in rubber plantation management through training with the Rubber Authority of Thailand. Furthermore, product quality should be improved, participatory inspection systems implemented, fair marketing and profit-sharing plans promoted, and sustainability planning implemented. However, to successfully develop farmer potential, farmers must begin by shaping their attitudes toward the benefits of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and promoting knowledge and understanding of proper Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).