Abstract:
To study communication in the training program emphasizing diffusing agricultural new theory as well as to study decision-making process into adoption/rejection of new agricultural theory and factors affecting adoption/rejection of agricultural new theory of farmers participating in the training program at Mabb Euang Nature Farming Center, Banbueng District, Chonburi. Multiple methodology, consisted of participatory observation, in-depth interviews and open-ended questionnaires for 4 trainers was used. The samples were divided into 2 groups: group 1 comprised 106 farmers and group 2 comprised 20 farmers and 9 staff members of Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative. The findings were as follows 1. Communication in Training Program, The trainers had knowledge and skill on what they were training. The content of the training program, which was about sufficient economic system and new agricultural theory, was divided into 7 categories. The trainers used lecture, demonstration, on- the-job training method, group discussion and brainstorming as training tools. 2. Decision-Making Process in 2 Sample Groups, It was found among farmers in group 1 that, in the knowledge stage, most of them understood agricultural new theory on tangible level. In the persuasion stage, the farmers found that the trainers were able to persuade them to see the importance of the new agricultural theory. In the decision stage, the farmers decided to adopt the theory. In group 2 it was found that the decision-making process could be divided into 3 phases: (1) before starting the training program (2) the period during the training up to the closing of the program (3) the after-training period which was 1 month later. 3. There were 3 factors affecting the adoption/rejection of the agricultural new theory. (1) The farmers' ideas which were congruent with the agricultural