Abstract:
The objective of this research is to study the spatial potential of Lopburi province as a broiler industry center (before avian influenza epidemic situation). The broiler industry can be classified into 5 sub-industries according to their characteristics and structures : the animal feed industry, the parent stock farm and hatchery industry, the broiler farm industry, the broiler slaughter industry and the chicken frozen food industry. After reviewing the literature, three sets of preliminary selected factors for analyzing the spatial potential of Lopburi province as a broiler industry center are determined : (1) the physical factors, i.e., topographical characteristics, land use characteristics, public utility system and transportation infrastructure; (2) the economic factors, i.e., raw material sources, output sources and financial institutions; and (3) the social factors, i.e., labors in agriculture sector, labors in manufacturing sector and educational services. Primary data are collected via interview surveys with open-end questionires administered on key informants from 3 target groups : broiler farmers, the group of boiler exporters, and a group of specialists and government officials. The Weighted Overlay technique is utilized for analyzing the spatial potential of Lopburi province through individual set and factor importance ratio of each sub-industry. Research results reveal 5 potential areas in Lopburi province : (1) the highest potential areas for every sub-industries in broiler industry are western part of Phattana Nikom District and Tambon Kok Tum in Mueng District; (2) the high potential areas for every sub-industries in broiler industry are Tumbon Nikom Lamnarai, Tumbon Bou Chum, Tumbon Kho Rang, Tumbon Si Latip, Tumbon Huihin in Chai Badan District and the area around eastern Tha Luang District; (3) the high potential areas for the animal feed industry and the moderate potential areas for the others sub-industries in broiler industry are Nong Muang District, Kok Charoen District, the parts of Kok Samrong District, Sra Bot District and Tumbon Na Som, Tumbon Nong Yaitho in Chi Badan District; (4) the low to moderate potential areas for every sub-industries in broiler industry are Mueng District, Tha Wong District and some parts of Kok Samrong District and; 5) the moderate potential areas for some subindustries in broiler industry are part of eastern Tha Luang District and Eastern Phattana Nikom District.