Potential developments in smart farming among alumni members of the Future Farmers Organization of Thailand, Central Region

Abstract

The study results revealed that out of 130 alumni members surveyed, 37 were engaged in agriculture. The details indicated that they primarily focused on growing field crops (21.62%), followed by vegetable growing, beef/dairy cattle rearing, duck rearing, ornamental plant growing, organic farming, mixed farming, orcharding, and seed-producing (16.21%, 13.51%, 13.51%, 10.81%, 8.10%, 8.10%, 5.40%, and 2.70%, respectively). The sample group utilized the knowledge and experience gained from activities of the Future Farmers Organization of Thailand (FFT) to establish production cooperation networks most frequently (86.52%), followed by marketing (63.75%) and exchange of knowledge (60.65%). The sample group indicated a need for potential development in production at the highest level (  = 4.56, S.D. = 0.132), followed by processing and product value addition (  = 4.32, S.D. = 0.163). Approaches suggested to increase production capacity included: 1) creating a smart farming system; 2) managing products and services; 3) developing branding, packaging, and accreditation; 4) administering agribusiness and marketing; and 5) managing finances and accounting through the establishment of an accounting system and capital analysis for business planning.Regarding a comparison of agricultural production potential development, there was a statistically significant difference at the 0.01 level between female and male sample group members. The former emphasized the importance of processing, innovation to reduce production costs, and the utilization of technology to replace labor, respectively.