FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION IN AROMATIC COCONUT PRODUCTION OF FARMERS IN RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to compare production cost and net

return between farmers with and without GI certificate and to study factors

affecting the adoption of Geographical indication in Aromatic coconut production

of famers in Ratchaburi Province. The sample groups were collected from 250

Aromatic coconut farmers with and without GI certificate. The study found that

Aromatic coconut farmers with GI certificate have average net return (profit) and

average cost higher than farmers without GI certificate. Aromatic coconut farmers

with GI certificate had average net return equal to 27,546.25 and average cost

equal to 23,043.26 baht per rai (variable cost 19,689.98 and fixed cost 3,353.28

bath per rai). Aromatic coconut farmers without GI certificate had average net

return equal to 19,713.31, and average cost equal to 19,374.41 baht per rai

(variable cost 16,684.13 and fixed cost 2,690.28 bath per rai). From logit model

indicated that factors affecting farmers to adopt GI in Aromatic coconut production

were household’s member, selling price of Aromatic coconut, farmer’s attitude of

GI, and numbers of contact with Agricultural Extension officer would increase the

probability to join the GI with statistically significant at 0.01, Age increased the

probability to join the GI with statistically significant at 0.10, and household’s

labors decreased the probability to join the GI with statistically significant at 0.10.

The recommendations from this study were that government should

promote and encourage farmers to realize the important of having GI certificate,

meanwhile encouraging farmers with GI certificate to establish GI farmer group to

increase the bargaining power.