The Study of Farmers’ Decision to Reduce the Burning of Rice Residue, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai Provinces

Abstract

This study investigates the decision-making of rice farmers in Phitsanulok and Sukhothai provinces regarding the reduction of rice residue burning. Data were collected through questionnaires from 192 farmers and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that access to irrigation, social conformity behavior, farm size, and income from rice cultivation significantly increased the likelihood of burning rice residues. In contrast, participation in agricultural programs organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was associated with a decreased likelihood of burning. Farmers who received subsidies for plowing rice residues back into the soil were 18.41% more likely to reduce burning, while those who received microbial decomposition agents were 13.61% more likely to do so, compared to those who did not receive any support. The study also found that removing both measures could lead to a crowding-out effect, diminishing farmers' intrinsic motivation to reduce burning for the benefit of society. Therefore, it is recommended that the government continue subsidizing plowing costs, accelerate research and development of effective microbial agents, and encourage small-scale farmers to participate more actively in agricultural programs. Public awareness campaigns should also be promoted to emphasize the negative impacts of residue burning. Additionally, farmers should utilize agricultural machinery that facilitates residue management, plan their field operations efficiently, and integrate knowledge from government programs to maximize the household use of rice straw.