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โครงการหนังสืออิเล็กทรอนิกส์ด้านการเกษตร เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว

Abstract

This research was conducted to address four objectives, which were (1) to study the
condition of the barn storage pattern and process used in paddies of Jasmine rice, (2) to
investigate the marginal cost of Jasmine paddy storage, (3) to analyze factors that could influence
Jasmine rice storage decisions and participation in the Barn Pledging Project, and (4) to analyze
the relationship of the barn management process and the quality of Jasmine rice in terms of
fragrance, head rice percentage, chalky kernel percentage, and moisture content in paddy grain. A
survey and experimental research were used in this study. The survey research was conducted in
nine provinces that are recognized as important rice growing sites in the northeastern region of
Thailand. Data were collected using 330 rice samples from farmers who grew conventional and
organic Jasmine rice in irrigated and rainfed areas during the 2017/18 crop year. The experimental
research study was conducted by identifying the appropriate conditions for storing organic and
conventional Jasmine rice and comparing the performance of three types of barns: wooden
barns, galvanized barns, and house storage.
The results revealed that the postharvest process of Jasmine rice was mainly conducted
using household labor. It was found that 81.57% of farmers had their own barns. Barn sizes varied
according to the commercial purpose of the rice, and the farmers who stored the rice only for
household consumption tended to have smaller barns. In addition, the commercial rice was
found to be stored in piles in lieu of rice sacks. Rice for household consumption was stored in
rice sacks and stacked vertically. The floor of a rice barn is generally elevated approximately 1.45
meters above the ground. Meanwhile, barns located in irrigated areas were the least elevated.
Some farmers also used the free space under their barns for other purposes, such as animal
stalls or to store agricultural equipment. Farmers always investigated potential damage and the
cleanliness of the barns before storing their Jasmine rice. The barns were used approximately
once per month, and most farmers relied on the experience handed down from their ancestors
to manage the rice storage.
Jasmine rice was stored for three main purposes: household consumption, to develop
breeder seeds, and to sell. Specifically, 23.26% of a sample of farmers stored rice to sell, while
24.17% of farmers participated in the Barn Pledging Project of BAAC. These latter farmers own the
Jasmine rice cultivated in areas greater than 30 rai. Farmers in rainfed areas held their rice and
waited to sell when the price increased, whereas most farmers in the irrigation area sold their rice
immediately after harvesting because they needed capital to invest in preparing their land to
grow rice in the dry season. Moreover, there were some farmers in the lower-northeastern part of
Thailand who stored their rice for a better price and participated in the Barn Pledging Project at
the highest level.
An analysis of Jasmine rice production costs found that the cash cost of Jasmine rice
production accounted for 5,066 baht per ton, whereas the price of Jasmine rice during the
harvest season averaged 9,524 – 10,271 baht per ton. If farmers stored their rice, they would
have to account for the marginal cost of rice drying, weight loss, and head rice percentage loss
that total approximately 526 baht and 533 baht per ton for a 3- and 6-month storage period,
respectively. Based on the price of Jasmine rice in the 2016/17 crop year, farmers gained profit
over cash costs of 4,954 baht per ton but who stored rice received profits of 9,518-10,281 baht
per ton.

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