Cost and Return Analysis of Dry Season Commercial Crop Production in Ponebok Subdistrict, Ponesawan District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the socio-economic conditions of farmers and analyze the costs, returns, and return on investment (ROI) of dry-season crop cultivation in Phon Bok Subdistrict, Phon Sawan District, Nakhon Phanom Province. A quantitative research methodology was employed. The sample consisted of 36 farming households engaged in the cultivation of short-season or low-water-use crops on at least one rai of land in Village No. 1, Phon Bok Subdistrict, in 2023. Data were collected using questionnaires and purposive sampling based on specific criteria. The majority of farmers were aged between 41 and 50 years, had attained upper secondary education, and had an average of two household members involved in farming. Most had 11–20 years of farming experience, access to clean water year-round from private wells, and used electricity supplied by the Provincial Electricity Authority. Household debt ranged from 10,000 to 50,000 baht. On average, farmers cultivated 11–15 rai of land under the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land tenure system. The most commonly grown dry-season crops included Chinese cabbage, kale, yardlong beans, and animal feed corn, which were primarily sold at local agricultural markets. Cost and return analysis showed that kale offered the highest ROI, with a net profit of 7,788.77 baht per rai (ROI 30.19%, cost 25,799.19 baht per rai), followed by yardlong beans (net profit 8,137 baht per rai, ROI 22.7%, cost 35,852.73 baht per rai), and Chinese cabbage (net profit 3,480.16 baht per rai, ROI 19.35%, cost 17,989.84 baht per rai). In contrast, animal feed corn resulted in a net loss of 1,268.24 baht per rai (ROI -14.68%, cost 8,638.68 baht per rai). The study concludes that crop selection significantly affects profitability. It is recommended that farmers grow crops with high returns and reasonable costs, such as kale, yardlong beans, or Chinese cabbage, and avoid low-return crops like animal feed corn. Furthermore, the development of marketing channels and the promotion of farmer cooperatives should be encouraged to enhance efficiency and sustainability in dry-season agriculture.