Financial Assessment of Smallholder Oil Palm Production in Unsuitable Areas of Surat Thani Province, Thailand

Authors

  • Suthijit Choengthong Prince of Songkla University
  • Suchart Choengthong Prince of Songkla University
  • Nongnuch Aungyureekul Kasetsart University
  • Saitip Soraj Kasetsart University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3350.2020

Keywords:

not suitable area, financial analysis, oil palm, sustainability, self-reliance, Surat Thani

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide information on profitability, social status, occupations, sustainability, self-reliance, and risks in small-scale oil palm production in unsuitable areas of Surat Thani, by planted oil palm area Thailand’s largest province. The data were collected from 25 farmers who have newly grown to 25 years old oil palm trees cultivated in unsuitable areas. The data were subjected to financial investment analysis, switching value test, sustainability, and self-sufficiency analysis. The investments in oil palm cultivation were assessed by net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and benefit to cost ratio (BCR). The results show that most growers were senior citizens with primary school education, and the average number of family members was 4.1. They had self-invested and used family members as labor (on average 1.6 men/family). The average oil palm yield in unsuitable areas was 3.60 tons/rai/year. Based on 7% discount rate the NPV was equal to 71,215.17 Thai baht, IRR was 38.72%, and BCR was 2.25. These financial indicators show that the overall performance of oil palm cultivation in unsuitable areas is a worthwhile investment, although with high risks on the revenue side. The oil palm growers had moderate levels of sustainability and self-reliance.

References

Anuraksakornkul, P., N., Pleerak, K., Aiemsawad & P. Yongsiri (2016). Analysis of the Financial in Oil Palm Planting Investments in Chon Buri Province. MFU Connexion: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(2), 108-145.

Arttayakul, N. (2004). The Financial Analysis of Oil Palm Farming Investment in Chon Buri Province (Unpublished master's thesis). Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Aungyureekul, N. (2004). The Teaching Guide for the Management of Agroindustry. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Chaeronrat, S., N. Sarowbon, K., Klannurak, A., Pokprasert, S., Tangsakul, J., Limsira & J.Jindapol (2008). Study on Opportunity and Threat of Important Economic Crops Production. Research Report. Surat Thani: Office of Agricultural Research and Development Region 7.

Choengthong, S., S. Choengthong, N. Aungyureekul, & S. Soraj. (2017). A Financial Investment Analysis and Optimum Replanting Age of Oil Palm of Smallholders. Surat Thani Province. Research Report. Bangkok: Agricultural Research Development Agency.

Chunsurat, S. (2005). Comparative Analysis of Financial Returns Between Rubber and Palm Oil Production in Thailand, the Crop Year of 2003. Research Report. Bangkok: Office of Agricultural Economics.

Jaitheing, A., S. Sangpradap, R. Dowdoung, Y. Riyapan, C. Chowna, & S. Sriku. (2008). Analysis of Return from Producing Oil Palm and Para rubber. Report on research and development in plants and agricultural technology. Research Report. Surat Thani: Office of Agricultural Research and Development Region 7.

Kaewpradit, K. (2010). A Financial Analysis of Comparative Oil Palm Plantation as Classified by Size of Area in Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province (Unpublished master’s thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Kanchanalai, W., P. Chaisit, P. Saifak, K. Sitsiri, K. Kanta, & A. Jaichoen (2009). Land Use for Oil Palm Economics Crop, Academic document no. 171/12/52, Bangkok: Land Development Department. Office of Land Survey and Land Use Planning. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Kangmak, K. (2016). A Financial Comparative Analysis between Para rubber Farming and Oil Palm Farming in Tambon Tha Uthae, Amphoe Kanchanadit, Changwat Surat Thani (Unpublished master’s thesis). Kasetsart University, Thailand

Kerdsub, W. (2004). An Analysis of Returns for Oil Palm of Smallholders in Amphoe Klomgthom (Unpublished master’s thesis). Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand.

Land Development Department. (2013). Oil Palm Plantation Zoning Management in Surat Thani. Bangkok: Division of Land Use Policy and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Land Development Regional Office 11, Surat Thani. (2016). Zoning Project for Oil Palm Plantation, Surat Thani Province, in year 2016. Academic for land development.

Leaosrirattanachai, P. (2014). Feasibility Study and Life Cycle Assessment of Oil Palm in Prachinburi Province (Unpublished master's thesis). Kasetsart Universtiy, Thailand.

Lewsiriwongchareon, S. (2011). Feasibility Study of The Investment in Oil Palm Production in Nong Suea district, Pathumthani Province (Unpublished master's thesis). Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Nillaket, I. & Watanakul, T. (2014). Analysis of Potential Production of Oil Palms and Market Structure: Case Study of Nongkhai and Bungkan Provinces. KKU Res J HS (GS), 2(1), 60-70.

Office of Agricultural Economic. (2017). Analysis of Important Agricultural Commodities, Surat Thani Province. Academic Report. Bangkok: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Pedthong, S. (2011). Cost-Benefit Analysis of Palm Oil Plantation: A Case Study of Sutthinan Farm in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province (Unpublished master's thesis). Maefahluang University, Thailand

Ploywilert, O. (2007). The study on Cost and benefit Analysis of Oil Palm and Jatropha Production in Northern Thailand (Unpublished master's thesis). Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

Promchaisri, S. (2013). A Comparative Analysis of Returns on Investments in Rubber and Oil Palm Plantations in Nakhon Si Thammarat (Unpublished master's thesis). Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand.

Downloads

Published

2020-12-07

How to Cite

Suthijit Choengthong, Suchart Choengthong, Nongnuch Aungyureekul, & Saitip Soraj. (2020). Financial Assessment of Smallholder Oil Palm Production in Unsuitable Areas of Surat Thani Province, Thailand. International Journal of Business and Society, 21(3), 1296–1309. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3350.2020