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โครงการหนังสืออิเล็กทรอนิกส์ด้านการเกษตร เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว

In addition to the investment in combine harvesting machines, all operators have to invest in
land, buildings, tools and equipment, and trucks. Small operators may have 1-2 machines while big
operators may have 7-10 machines. Prices of the big machines were around 2.4-3 million baht. A net cash
income from the harvesting services is 200 baht/rai in the central region and 290 baht/rai in the
northeastern region. However, the operators have to pay an addition of 25-30 baht/rai for transportation
between regions. Per diems and living allowances for family laborers are not included. Based on various
assumptions, it was estimated that an IRR of the investment in a combine harvesting machine is 5.25%
and a payback period is 10.2 years. Management of custom hiring services is based on the operators’
experiences. Academic principles are rarely used in making decisions.

There are policies and measures affecting the production of combine harvesters and the
operation of custom hiring. They can be classified into several kinds. Some are directly or indirectly
beneficial. While some aim to promote Thai industries, some are binding rather than promoting them. In
addition, some are meant to mitigate the effects of the new minimum wages whereas some are to raise
SMEs’ competencies. However, the study found that none of the surveyed firms use the facilities
provided by these policies and measures.

With regard to the combine harvester industry, the researchers recommended that the policy
makers should try to find ways to increase both demands for and supplies of combine harvesting
machines. In the present economic conditions, new demands for the machines are few while
replacement demands remain. Moreover, the existing measures are sufficient and, therefore, there is no
need for a new measure. However, there is a need to stimulate export demands. Recommendations
include both fiscal and monetary measures. Export tax credits should be given to those who can export
harvesting machines. Various monetary measures should be introduced to support product exhibition and
demonstration in importing countries. Manuals should be translated into local languages. Scholarships
and financial support should be provided for farmers, mechanics, distributors, agents, students, and
teachers to receive trainings to operate and maintain harvesting machines in Thailand.

Technological development can be implemented in hardware and software terms. Investment
tax credits and fiscal policies should be introduced to encourage firms to invest in new or sophisticated
tools and equipment. These can be complemented by monetary policies to provide special windows for
soft loans or facilitate loans through normal channels.

The software, or personnel, development can be divided into two parts. The first part concerns
production workers and the other is about entrepreneurs/owners of the firm. To help raise the
workmanship of workers, qualification standards should be introduced. Various trainings should be
provided for them to move to a higher standard. Owners of the firms, as entrepreneurs, should be given
trainings in various management concepts and principles. All expenses incurred in the trainings of workers
and firm owners should be tax deductible.

Research and development is another factor to be strengthened. In addition to engineering
aspect, all other managerial aspects should be improved as well. A sufficient amount of budget should
be continually allocated to government offices and universities.

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