Abstract:
This study aims to analyze change in demographic structure of the agricultural sector of economic crops as well as measuring the production efficiency and productivity changes of economic crops. It also supports the changing in population structure of agricultural crops in Thailand. An analysis of agricultural population structure of economic crops is done by using Multiple Regression Analysis divided into 4 crops; rice, sugar cane, rubber and palm oil for 400 each from crop year 2011/2012 to 2013/2014 (total of 3 years). The analysis is based on the age of the farmers which are working age (20-59 years) and older age 60 years and above). It is found that the aging population structure affects the yield of different crops. Rice and sugarcane have similar effect and consistency in ages and educational attainment has no impact on older workers. In rubber and palm oil production, it has a great impact on both the working age and the elderly groups. The highest proportion of rubber production is found in the elderly, followed by palm while sugarcane and rice have no impact on the production volume of the age group. The analysis of the economic efficiency of economic crops and the data analysis are performed by using the boundary-line method and Stochastic production frontier analysis, SFA) which the data of the production of rice, sugarcane, rubber and palm oil in the year 2011/2012-2013/2014 for 400 households. It is divided into two age groups, aged 20-59 years and the age range of 60 years and above. It is found that at the group of 20-59 years old has change in technical performance at -8.88 and age range of 60 years or more change in technical performance at -0.67 which this change in technical performance over the age of 60 years that have a higher efficiency over the age range of 20-59 years. This is consistent with the change in technical efficiency of sugarcane production. It was found that the age range 20-59 years, has change in technical performance at the level -1.89 and above 60 years old. The technical performance change is at 2.92. For change in technical performance above the age of 60 years, it is higher than the age range of 20-59 years. Changes in technical performance of rubber production showed that age range 20-59 years 15.14 and above 60 years old, has change in technical performance at 0.00. For change in technical performance above the age of 60 years, it is less effective than the 20-59 age range increased aging results in lower production efficiency. This is consistent with change in technical performance of the production of palm oil found that age range 20-59 years. For change in technical performance at 12.46 and above 60 years old, change in technical performance is at 1.11. This changes the effectiveness of technical images in the age of 60 and above that has less effective than 20-59 year olds. This is because rice and sugarcane are annual crops that have many changes. Each year, the technology can help increase productivity while rubber and palm oil are perennial plants that take longer to yield and use less technology in addition, they require a lot of harvesting techniques and production expertise. As a result, the labor age is higher which effects on production most. The guidelines for changing the agricultural population structure of economic crops are gained through In-depth interviews from agencies involved in agricultural labor. Data analysis based on Content Analysis shows that the policy of the new generation of farmers, have ideas to create new farmer generation to replace older ones to avoid farmer shortage. Technological development and skill development are needed to produce of agricultural workers. The government currently has a policy for farmers to prepare and develop their land. This includes creation of security for all types of workers because it is important to promote a comprehensive social insurance system that addresses needs of agricultural workers.