Abstract:
This study aimed to examine conditions, problems and needs for agricultural information utilization of farmers in Kosum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham province.The sample, consisting of 353 farmers in Kosum Phisai District. Maha Sarakham, was obtained through the multi-stage random sampling technique. Percentage, mean, and standard deviation were employed to analyze data gathered. The results were as follows:For conditions of information utilization of farmers, it was found that more than 90 percent of the farmers utilized information acquired from neigbors, television programs, agricultural promotion officers, family members, kamnan (sub-district chiefs) and phuyai ban(village heads) respectively. The farmers' satisfaction toward information sources used was at a moderate level. According to the information contents utilized, it was found that more than 90 percent of the farmers utilized information concerning utilization of chemical fertilizers and prevention and elimination of pests. The overall satisfaction toward information content was at a moderate level Moreover, the study revealed that all fakers utilized information for making their livings. About 94.62 percent acquired information for self-development and for solving daily-life problems, and about 71.10 percent acquired information for transfemng information to other people.For problems of agricultural information utilization of farmers, most problems were considered moderate. Major problnns found included information was limited and inadequate for their needs; the farmers had limited time; they did not know where to acquire information sources; and information sources did not provide timely information for their work,Farmers' needs for agricultural information utilization as a whole were at a moderate level. When each aspect was considered, it was found that the farmers needed information about utilization of chemical fertilizers; information about prevention md eliminaticn of pesty; and information about mixed farming. Regarding information sources needed, the farmers needed information from television programs and from agricultural promotion officers at a high level.