Official Newsletter of the WANA Seed Network
No. 31,
July 2006
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Short communication on practical research or relevant information on agriculture or seed technology are presented in this section.
Technology Transfer Strategy for Community Soybean Seed Production at Lampang, Thailand
T. Manond, S. Aemprapa, S. Sutacom
[Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Lampang Agricultural Research and Training Center, P.O. Box 89, Muang Lampang, 52000 Thailand. E-mail: tmanond@hotmail.com]
Abstract
This study was conducted to transfer a technology that would help farmers to produce good quality soybean for their own use and for sale to other farmers within or outside their communities. Thirty soybean farmers were selected in six villages in Nikom-Pattana sub-district, Muang district, Lampang province, Thailand using purposive random sampling technique. The process of technology transfer consisted of: (i) establishing a soybean seed producers group, (ii) providing training courses on techniques in seed production, processing, quality testing and product promotion for marketing, and (iii) producing soybean seed under supervision by researchers. Data on income from soybean seed production was collected through formal interview using structured questionnaire and personal observations. Income per year from soybean seed production before and after technology transfer was used to evaluate the success of the project. After two years of participation in the project, farmers had established a soybean seed producers group and set up a revolving fund. During the rainy season of the first year (July to November 2002) and second year (July to November 2003), farmers had planted 60 and 159 rai (1 ha@ 6.25 rai) and produced 13,971 kg and 39,453 kg soybean seed, respectively. The areas allocated to soybean seed production in the first and second dry years were 111 and 157 rai, respectively, producing 28,195 and 31,782 kg. After two years of the project, income from soybean production increased by 77%, which was highly significant (p < 0.01). The findings also indicated that success in technology transfer could be achieved through an integrated approach.
Introduction
Agriculture is the main source of economic growth and development in Thailand. The majority of people live in rural areas and engage in agriculture for their livelihoods. They produce rice, soybean, tomato, mango, rubber, etc. Soybean is one of the main crops grown by farmers in Lampang province of northern Thailand. The soybean area in the 2000/01 cropping season was 30,153 rai, with a total production of 6,196 tonnes (Office of Agricultural Economics).
Soybean is produced twice per year; during the rainy and dry seasons. Most of the soybean produced in dry season is sold for consumption. The main problem of soybean farmers in Lampang Province was lack of good quality seed. The majority of farmers do not save seed for the next cropping season, and the few farmers who do so store poor quality seed.
During the rainy season, most farmers plant other crops such as rice and vegetables, resulting to lack of good quality soybean seed for the next dry season planting. In contrast, a survey of mungbean and soybean seed in Pitsanulok Province found that the majority of soybean farmers save seed for planting the next crop or sometimes buy seed from their neighbors (Wanchai 1992). However, almost one-third of the soybean seed used for planting is of low germination. Tippawan (1998) confirmed that in Lampang Province, the most important constraints to soybean production were very low economic benefits, high production costs (e.g., fertilizer, pesticide) and lack of good quality seed, in that order.
This study was initiated to: (i) increase availability and access to good quality soybean seed in the community, (ii) enhance farmers' knowledge and skill in good quality soybean seed production, (iii) increase farmers' income from the production of soybean seed, and (iv) empower farmers to play a greater role in their own economic development.
Approaches to address lack of quality soybean seed
To increase the availability of good quality seed, group discussions were organized with a community of soybean growers. Thirty soybean farmers were selected from six villages in Nikom-Pattana sub-district, Muang district, Lampang province in northern Thailand using purposive sampling technique (Yamane, 1967).
In 2002, a community soybean seed producers group and a pilot project was started by a researcher from the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL). Selection of target group members was based on farmers who: (i) earned their living from soybean production; (ii) had their own suitable land for rainy season production, and (iii) were diligent and interested in joining the group. All activities were monitored and evaluated throughout the project. The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the National Science and Technology Development Agency provided financial support for the project.
Soybean seed supply
To ensure availability and access to quality soybean seed, foundation seed of Rajamangala variety was provided to farmers by the researcher from RMUTL for local seed multiplication and marketing. During the rainy season of the first year, each farmer borrowed and planted the foundation seed to produce seed for sale or save for use in the next season planting. In the dry season, the seed produced were sorted into grain for consumption and seed for multiplication. The grain was sold while the seed was kept for next season planting and multiplication.
 |
| A brainstorming session and problem analysis with farmers on soybean production |
Technology transfer for soybean seed production
An action-oriented research was initiated as a technology transfer strategy to improve the availability of good quality seed, increase income, and improve the livelihoods of soybean farmers. The strategy includes establishing and developing soybean seed producers group and training farmers in the techniques of seed production, processing, quality testing, and product promotion. Soybean seed was produced under the supervision of researchers from RMUTL for a period of two years; August 2002 to July 2004. Annual income from soybean seed production before and after the technology transfer was used to assess the impact of the project. Data was collected from seed producers group through formal interview using structured questionnaire and personal observation. The results were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test.
Characteristics of farmer group
Forty per cent of the thirty soybean growers selected for establishing seed producers group were women and the remaining 60% were men. Their average age was 48 years. Most of the farmers (90%) had formal primary education and an average of six years experience in growing soybean (range 2 to 22 years). The average farm size was 7.68 rai and the average income from soybean production was 9,145 Baht per year before the project. The majority of farmers earned their income from grain production and not seed marketing, because there was no sufficient seed for sale.
Soybean seed production and marketing
The training enhanced farmers' skills and enabled them to produce good quality soybean seed and obtain higher yields. The average quantities of seed produced over four seasons of two years was 233, 256, 261 and 204 kg/rai, respectively. The highest yield was obtained by individual farmers during the rainy season of first year (420 kg/rai) and the lowest during the dry season of the second year (43 kg/rai).
Table 1 presents the average and range of soybean yields and percentages of farmers who achieved a certain yield level. During the rainy season of first year, about 40% of farmers obtained lower than 200 kg while 33.3% produced between 200 and 300 kg and 26.7% produced over 300 kg soybean seed per rai. In the rainy season of the second year, most farmers (63.3%) obtained between 200 and 300 kg and 20% of them more than 300 kg per rai soybean seed. More farmers achieved a higher yield than in the first rainy season. The average soybean seed yield for the rainy season of the second year (261 kg rai-1) was higher than first year (233 kg/rai).
:
|
Table 1. Average soybean
yield and production range for dry and rainy seasons
|
||||
| Yield (rai/kg) |
Year 1 (2002/03)
|
Year 2 (2003/04)
|
||
|
Rainy season
(n = 30) |
Dry season
(n = 23) |
Rainy season
(n = 30) |
Dry season
(n = 26) |
|
| < 200 |
40
|
26.1
|
16.7
|
46.2
|
| 200-300 |
33.3
|
39.1
|
63.3
|
38.4
|
| > 300 |
26.7
|
34.8
|
20.0
|
15.4
|
| Average |
233
|
256
|
261
|
204
|
| Range |
120-420
|
164-395
|
112-384
|
43-352
|
 |
| Demonstrating soybean production technolog |
Table 2 presents the quantity of soybean seed produced and the proportion sold for different purposes. During the rainy season of the first year, 13,971 kg seed was produced from 60 rai (9.6 ha). Some 9,911 kg (71%) was sold for seed to generate additional income, 2,560 kg (18%) was saved as seed for the next season planting and the remaining 1,500 kg (11%) was sold for revolving fund. During the rainy season of second year, 39,453 kg soybean seed was produced on 159 rai (25.44 ha). From the total seed production, 36,441 kg (92%) was sold as seed and 3,012 kg (8%) was saved as seed for next season planting.
Similarly, in the dry season of the first year, 28,195 kg of seed was produced on 111 rai (17.76 ha). Some 12,888 kg (46%) was sold for seed production, 2,639 kg (9%) was saved as seed for the next season, and 12,668 kg (45%) was sold as grain for consumption. In the dry season of the second year, 31,782 kg of seed was produced from 155 rai (24.8 ha). About 6,219 kg (20%) was sold for seed production, 3,243 kg (10%) was saved as seed for the next season planting and 22,320 kg (70%) was sold as grain for consumption.
|
Table 2. Quantity of soybean
seed produced and percentage sold during the rainy and dry seasons
|
||||
Item |
Year 1 (2002/03)
|
Year 2 (2003/04)
|
||
|
Rainy
season |
Dry
season |
Rainy
season |
Dry
season |
|
| Area planted (rai) |
60
|
111
|
159
|
155
|
| Total seed produced (kg) |
13,971
|
28,195
|
39,453
|
31,782
|
| Sold as grain (%) |
-
|
45
|
-
|
70
|
| Sold for seed (%) |
71
|
46
|
92
|
20
|
| Seed
saved for next season planting (%) |
18
|
9
|
8
|
10
|
| Seed sold for revolving
fund (%) |
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Note: 1 ha = 6.25 rai | ||||
Quality of soybean seed produced
The Department of Agriculture (DoA) recommends that soybean seed for sale must meet a physical purity of 97% (minimum), germination capacity of 70% (minimum) and moisture content of 9% (maximum). All the soybean seed produced during the rainy and dry seasons from 2002 to 2004 met the minimum national standard (Table 3).
|
Table 3. Quality of soybean
seed produced during 2002 to 2004 crop seasons
|
||||
| Year |
Season
|
Analytical purity (%)
|
Moisture content (%)
|
Germination (%)
|
| Year
1 (2002/03) |
Rainy season
|
99.57
|
11.75
|
94
|
|
Dry season
|
99.86
|
8.35
|
83
|
|
| Year
2 (2003/04) |
Rainy
season
|
99.45
|
8.12
|
92
|
|
Dry season
|
99.25
|
8.41
|
88
|
|
| National standard |
98
|
8
|
10
|
|
| Seed sold for revolving
fund (%) |
11
|
98 |
9 |
70 |
| Note: 1 ha = 6.25 rai | ||||
 |
Farmers (women and men) evaluating soybean seed quality (germination) |
Costs and returns from soybean production
In the past, farmers never earned any income from soybean seed production during the rainy season because production was low and not enough seed is available for sale. An analysis of costs and returns during the rainy season of 2003 showed that average total cost for soybean production was 2,470 baht/rai. With an average yield of 256 kg/rai and selling price of 17.9 baht/kg, the income from soybean seed production was 4,582 baht/rai with net return of 2,112 baht/rai (86 %) (Table 4). Farmers produced good quality seed for themselves and had extra for sale to other farmers, thus earning additional income.
The total production cost of soybean in the dry season of 2004 was 1,963 baht/rai and the average yield was 204 kg/rai. At the selling price of 15.69 baht/kg, the total income was 3,201 baht/rai with net return or profit of 1,238 baht/rai (63%) from soybean seed production. Farmers had a lower average yield in the dry season of 2004 than in the same period in 2003 due to drought, but increased price from lower global yields earned them better returns in the dry season of 2004 (Table 4).
|
Table 4. Soybean production
costs and returns in rainy and dry seasons
|
||
Items |
2003
Rainy season (n = 30) |
2004
Dry season (n = 26) |
|
Baht
|
||
| 1.
Total production cost |
2,470
|
1,963
|
| Production cost |
768
|
869
|
| Seed |
182
|
131
|
| Fertilizer |
116
|
337
|
| Herbicides |
169
|
116
|
| Threshing |
159
|
121
|
| Petrol (home-farm) |
32
|
40
|
| Food and beverage (labor exchange) |
111
|
124
|
| Labor cost |
1,702
|
1,094
|
| Family labor (unpaid seed money) |
379
|
494
|
| Hired labor (paid seed money) |
1,323
|
600
|
| 2. Average yield per rai (kg) |
256
|
204
|
| 3. Average price per kg |
17.90
|
15.69
|
| 4. Income per rai |
4,582
|
3,201
|
| 5. Profit per rai |
2,112
|
1,238
|
| Total return (%) |
85.5
|
63.06
|
| Note USD 1= 42 Baht | ||
Income from soybean seed production
The income from seed produced and seed saved for the next planting season was used to calculate the income and benefits for the farmers (Table 5). During the rainy season of 2002 (the first year), the average income from soybean seed production was 2,863 baht (USD 68) per rai with a range of 850 to 6,240 baht/rai. The majority of farmers (83.3%) had income of less than 4,000 baht/rai. In the rainy season of 2003 (the second year), the mean income was 4,582 baht (USD 109) per rai, the majority of farmers (63.3%) had income of 4,000 to 6,000 baht/rai. Income from soybean seed production varied from 2,936 to 7,070 baht/rai. Although there was wider disparity on income between the two rainy seasons, the average income from soybean seed production was higher during the second year and there was an increase in the number of farmers that received better returns compared to year 1 (Table 5).
Similarly, during the dry season of the first year (2003), the average income from soybean seed production was 2,736 baht (USD 65) per rai, ranging from 1,176 to 4,032 baht. About 47.8% of farmers had more than 3,000 baht. During the dry season of the second year (2004), the average income from soybean seed production was 3,313 baht (USD 78) per rai with a range of 640 to 5,644 baht. The majority of farmers (61.6%) had more than 3,000 baht/rai. The average income from soybean seed production was higher during the second year and there was an increase in the number of farmers receiving better returns compared to year 1 (Table 5).
|
Table 5. Income distribution
from soybean seed production during rainy and dry seasons (n = 30)
|
|||||
|
Income
class (baht/rai)
|
Rainy
season
|
Income
class (baht/rai)
|
Dry season
|
||
|
2002
|
2003
|
2003
|
2004
|
||
|
% of farmers
|
% of farmers
|
||||
|
< 4000
|
83.3
|
26.7
|
< 2000
|
26.1
|
19.2
|
|
4000-6000
|
10.0
|
63.3
|
2000-3000
|
26.1
|
19.2
|
|
> 6000
|
6.7
|
10.0
|
> 3000
|
47.8
|
61.6
|
|
Average income
|
2,863
|
4,582
|
2,736
|
3,313
|
|
|
Income
Minimum Maximum |
850 6,240 |
2,936 7,070 |
1,176 4,032 |
640 5,644 |
|
Comparison of farmers' income before and after the project
 |
| Farmers display soybean seed at the community level |
 |
| Farmers distribute soybean seed to farmers outside their community |
Several lessons have been learned from the study. First, researchers played a facilitating role and allowed farmers to discuss among themselves how to solve their problems and continue the seed production business. Second, the researchers motivated both men and women farmers to participate in soybean seed production including participation in planning and decision-making, implementing agricultural activities (e.g. roguing, seed quality testing, etc), and evaluating inputs and outputs and the benefits from the income. Third, the technology transfer strategy used encouraged small farmers to produce enough good quality seed for their own use and for sale to other farmers within and outside their communities.
The following strategies were used in the study:
|
1-
|
Establishment and development of soybean seed producers group. Farmers came together from six different villages to form a seed producers group and elect group leaders. |
|
2-
|
Provision of training courses in soybean seed production technology (planting, harvesting, cleaning, quality testing), marketing, and management. In terms of technology transfer, the researchers should identify simple or appropriate technologies to transfer. |
|
3-
|
Brainstorming with farmers. The researchers facilitated farmers' discussions and helped them to develop a strong group. This would help farmers to achieve their group objectives. |
|
4-
|
Seed production and marketing. This process enabled farmers to produce quality seed that were acceptable to their clients. |
|
5-
|
Follow-up and evaluation. The activity generated innovative ideas for achieving the goals of soybean seed production. Farmers had a clear picture of available alternative options and were able to switch to a suitable strategy in achieving their goals. They identified ways of improving on their past performances. |
|
6-
|
Linkage with local organizations. Small farmers need to be in contact with a number of formal agencies that have interest in their work. In this project, farmers maintained good relationship with the Nikom-Keawlom cooperative, which provides assistance for all their activities (processing, packaging, etc.). |
|
7-
|
Linkage with the community school. Farmers taught their children about soybean production skills in the school, which motivated the group and give them self-confidence, self-fulfillment, and a sense of responsibility as good models for the children. This in turn enabled them to realize their capacity. |
 |
Farmers teaching their children about seed testing |
Conclusions and implications
Farmers established and developed a soybean seed producers group and set up a revolving fund for the business. They have improved their knowledge and skills in production, processing, marketing, and accounting, which is manifested in increased crop yield and income. Both men and women farmers who participated in the project can now produce good quality soybean seed with corresponding increase in income. The findings therefore indicate that success in technology transfer could be achieved through an integrated approach. The most important elements were the empowerment of farmers to solve their own problems, enhancement of self-confidence, encouragement to participate in all activities especially in planning and decision-making, implementation, equitable sharing of benefits, and monitoring and evaluation. These have consequently strengthened the farmers' group. Moreover, the increased income would enable them to stand on their own and sustain the development of their community.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the Biotec and NSTDA for providing financial support for the project. We wish to extend our appreciation to soybean farmers of Nikom-Patana sub-district for participating in the project and patiently answering responding to the questionnaire. Tippawan wishes also to express her gratitude to the manager of Nikom-Patana cooperative for his suggestions, cooperation, friendship and care during all phases of the research work.
References
Manond, T. 1998. Assessment of training needs in short courses for soybean growing farmers. The Kasetsart Journal: Social Science. 19(2):114-122.
Office of Agricultural Economics. 2003. Agricultural Statistic of Thailand Year 2002/2003. http://www.oae.go.th/statistic/year book/2002-03.
Wanchai, C. 1992. Survey on quality of mung bean and soya bean seed of farmers at Pitsanulok Province, Thailand. Kasetkhuana Journal 7(2): 54-63.
Yamane, T. 1967. Statistics: An introductory analysis. 2nd New York. Harper and Rows.