POTENTIAL AND OPPORTUNITY FOR BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION OF THE PROTOTYPE FARMERS: THE CASE STUDY OF MAE CHAEM DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The research on potential and opportunity for the beef cattle production of the prototype farmers in the livestock model seeks to solve the burning forest problem and agricultural areas which create smog and climate change in Chiang Mai Province. The research objectives aim to study basic information of prototype farmers who raise beef cattle instead of growing maize, to analysis performance efficiency of beef cattle raising, together with the potential and opportunities for beef cattle production. The research area is conducted in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, based on a participatory observation with integrated operational synergies. The research has tried to develop the prototype farmers in transforming agricultural waste (corn husk, corncob, etc.) into silage food to increase nutrients. The empirical results show that the highest cost is found in the type of fattening farming, with fixed cost of 924,000 Thai Baht, as well as variable cost of 85,900 Thai Baht. This type also provided the highest income of 1,118,500 Thai Baht. Meanwhile, the highest profit belongs to the type of field release with an amount of 193,250 Thai Baht. Analyzing the performance efficiency, the type of field release shows the highest profit, with an amount of 11,600 Thai Baht. Meanwhile, the enclosure-raised beef cattle have the lowest efficiency because it possesses the lowest profit at 7,756 Thai Baht. Based on the SWOT analysis, the strength shows that Thai farmers have more experiences in cattle farming and breeding cattle. The weaknesses expose that most farmers and beef cattle cooperatives have no long-term planned production, marketing goals, and lacking working capital. The opportunities are the government sector highly supports investment in the beef cattle industry in terms of investment and various resources. Moreover, there are more advantages in logistics and supply chain management for beef cattle exports to neighboring countries because there are a path and linkage of the logistics systems. Finally, the threats indicate the shortages of raw materials and no concentrated food production plants in some areas result in higher food transportation costs.