Abstract:
The objectives of this research were 1) to study basic information, opinions and needs to promote the development of lychee quality to the GI standard 2) to study knowledge level of lychee growers before and after attending training 3) quality assessment of Mae Jai Phayao Lychee based on GI standards and 4) finding to extension guidelines for GI Mae Jai Phayao Lychee production. Research was conducted during 2021-2022 using a mixed-method design. The quantitative research was conducted using an interview schedule with 155 lychee growers that were obtained by Taro Yamanes formula and simple random sampling method by drawing lots proportionally. The qualitative research was conducted with 15 key persons obtained by purposive sampling and data were analyzed by using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics is Paired Sample T-test, SWOT analysis and TOWS Matrix method. Results revealed that 1) 78.7% of lychee growers were male with the average age of 60.59 years, 65.2% completed primary education, 96.1% occupation as farmers, and the average 28.41 years of experience in lychee production. The average lychee production area were 6.55 rai/person, 44.5% production area were low land, 44.5% use water from reservoirs to produce lychees. The average income from lychee production were 32,683.87 baht/year. 50.3% of lychee growers had never heard or received information about GI, 44% had heard or received information about GI from training/government sector, and 66.5% had never been trained in lychee production management. Most lychee growers agree that GI will make local reputation and attract tourists. Lychee growers want to promote the water management, improvement and development water resources. 2) After attending the training education forum, it was found that the lychee growers had GI knowledge at a higher level (x̄ = 13.69) than before participating (x̄ = 9.97) and had statistically significant differences (p≤0.05). 3) Sixteen lychee growers have passed the lychee yield quality assessment in accordance with the requirements of GI Mae Jai Phayao Lychee. 4) The extension guidelines for GI Mae Jai Phayao Lychee production, namely: Attacking strategy (SO) is develop and create a distinctive point for GI products "Lychee Mae Jai Phayao"., Preventive strategy (ST) is promote GI products on various platforms., Solution strategy (WO) is knowledge development for lychee growers about the quality lychee production system according to the GI product standard "Lychee Mae Jai Phayao" and Reacting strategy (WT) is a study of consumer demand in order to know the market direction and trend of GI products demand.