Abstract:
This research was carried out to study sources and potential of biomass from field corn in Thailand
by collecting data from cultivation areas, factors influencing on productivity, incentives, problems and
obstacles to cultivate field corn in each area. Information concerning cultivation areas and factors influencing
on field corn productivity was collected from secondary data of office of agricultural economics and
department of alternative energy development and efficiency, while the incentives information, problems
and obstacles to cultivate field corn were investigated via questionnaire and in-depth interview. The data
were then statistically analyzed to evaluate potential of biomass from crop residues (stems and leaves of
field corn) in each province of Thailand
The study found that Thailand has totally 6.967 million acres of field corn cultivated area with
productivity of 4.605 million tons per year and crop residues of 6.769 million tons per year. The study also
found that Petchaboon province exhibited the highest potential of field corn crop residues. Nakornratchasima
and Nan became the second and third highest potential with crop residues, respectively. Regarding
to incentives information, problems and obstacles to cultivate field corn in the study area, the study found
that the most motivated factor of field corn cultivation was low labor input requirement, followed by cost
and return factor, simple and familiar cultivation process, and shortern cultivation period, low impact to
social and environment, and government support. However, the study also found that Petchaboon province
has the first highest potential in producing biogas from stems and leaves of field corn in Thailand. Nakornratchasima
and Nan became the second and third highest potential, respectively.