Factors affecting diversification in rain-fed agriculture in four amphoes (districts) in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Factors affecting diversification before initiation of the scaling out of farmer-to-farmer learning and innovation were examined for 2308 households in eighteen villages in eight sub-districts (tambons) in four districts (amphoes) of south-eastern Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. The districts, sub-districts and villages were selected in a rapid process based on the criteria of similarity with a pilot site: predominance of sandy soils, undulating topography, presence of farm ponds, absence of large areas with saline soils, absence of other development projects and presence of similar cropping systems based on rain-fed rice, sugarcane and cassava. Each district had two paired tambons termed ‘intervention’ and ‘control’. All 2308 farm households were classified in a rapid census based on the number of farm ponds and combinations of three types of income generating agricultural diversification activities using pond water: (1) fruit, (2) livestock and (3) vegetables. Amphoes, tambons and villages with similar topography, soil and cropping system had similar number of ponds, household size, level of diversity and income levels. Farms with higher numbers of ponds generated more diversification activities. Total and agricultural revenue increased as diversification level increased. Agricultural revenue increased more rapidly as diversification level rose to 2 and 3, while only one diversification activity had less effect.