Determinants of sustainable efficiency of rice farming in peri-urban area, evidence from Ladkrabang district, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Growing urbanisation, dwindling land for rice cultivation, and declining numbers of rice farmers have been major concerns. Yet, many local people living in peri-urban areas still produce rice for their livelihood. This study aimed to estimate the sustainable efficiency (SE) of the rice farmers in the peri-urban areas and investigate the determinants of SE by employing a multiple linear regression methods. Based on data collected from 230 rice farmers in the Ladkrabang district, the peri-urban area located to the East of Bangkok, Thailand, this study revealed that, on average, the SE of sample rice farmers was 0.84. The large-sized farmer had a higher average SE than small-sized and medium-sized ones. The results of regression analysis indicated having heirs working in farm was the most effective variable on the SE of rice farming, followed by participation in agricultural training programs, formal years of schooling, the number of family labour, and subsidies.