THE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT OF OFF-SEASON RICE IN NAKHON CHAI SI DISTRICT, NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

             The purpose of this research was (1) to find off-season rice supply chain management model in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom, (2) to analyze off-season rice supply chain management in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom and (3) to find solutions to problems of off-season rice farmers. The sample was 334 off-season rice farmers cultivate in Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom. In this study, mixed- method research design was employed. The statistics such as percentage, mean and standard deviation were used.
                Results of the analysis of off-season rice supply chain management provide valuable insights into planning, procurement, production and transportation of off-season rice supply chain management. In planning, environmental aspects such as water and climate are considered prior to cultivation as to increase production. In procurement, the cost of ordering and the speed of delivery are considered. Farmers learn about the price of rice variety from the intermediary agents and they compare it to the price of quality rice. The relationship between intermediary agents and farmers is essential. A future sale contract is made which enables the intermediary agents to acquire quality products that have been verified ensuring that product quality meets the standards. In production, farmers have expertise in cultivating and harvesting rice which meet the standards. There is an appropriate harvesting period which enables farmers to obtain high yield with good quality. In transportation, the rice mill provides transportation of paddy by sending trucks to the cultivation areas. When the harvesting season arrives, harvesters and transportation vehicles from the rice mill will be sent to the cultivation areas which allows for fast and convenient transportation of paddy.