MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON DURIAN EXPORT IN CHANTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative approach with a focus on a single case study. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate efficiency and management of the Department of Agriculture which developed the quality of durian in Chanthaburi Province to bring it up to export-quality standards, 2) to examine the internal and external factors influencing the quality of durian of farmers in Chanthaburi Province, 3) and to utilize the necessary information to develop efficient management of the Department of Agriculture. In this study, the samples were selected using the purposive sampling method, and the data were collected through a semi-structured interview. In addition, the interviews with voice recording were also conducted with 10 key informants, including eight farmers and two employees of the Department of Agriculture in Chanthaburi Province. The study findings unveiled three key guidelines utilized by the Department of Agriculture to enhance the quality of durians. The initial guideline pertained to the export of high-quality durians, encompassing four sub-aspects: transportation, intermediaries, durian weighing, and durian storage. The second guideline focused on durian production, encompassing sub-aspects such as soil quality, water management, weather conditions, and chemical usage. The final guideline pertained to the Department of Agriculture's management, encompassing sub-aspects such as information exchange between farmers and officers, as well as problem-solving mechanisms.