The purpose of this paper was to estimate the age structure effect of agricultural labor on technical efficiency by using stochastic frontier analysis. The translog stochastic frontier production function with the technical inefficiency model was estimated simultaneously using maximum likelihood methods. Panel data of agricultural production at the provincial level from 76 provinces for 2009–2013 were used for estimating the model. The estimated results of the technical inefficiency model identified that the labor force aged 60 years and over increased the technical inefficiency, while the labor force aged 15–59 years reduced the technical inefficiency in Thai agricultural production. Therefore, the public sector should be determined in establishing policy options to encourage young people to become young, smart farmers. The use of agricultural mechanization that is easily used by older farmers should also be promoted, along with financial support to enable them to increase production efficiency.

Contract farming is typically considered an appropriate measure for small-scale farmers to solve their constraints and problems. However, despite positive effects, low participation in and high dropout rates from contract farming schemes remain challenges. Therefore, this study objects to evaluate preferences for contract attributes and attribute levels among contracting buyers, farmers, and government officials through data triangulation from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations. Based on Henry Garrett Ranking, Rank Based Quotient, and Rank Based Sum methods, results indicate that the most important attributes were price options, payment, delivery arrangement, input provision, input-use requirements, and product quality standards. Despite a consensus on the ranking of the contract attributes, the preferences for the attribute levels among the stakeholders were heterogeneous. It is recommended that attributes and their levels should be pertinent in contract agreements. Thus, contract design with an adjusted or premium price, 50% of estimated payment before harvesting and the rest after delivery three to five days or lump-sum immediate payment, delivery after harvesting, inputs provision by the contractors through the representative branches or stores located at the local areas or cooperatives, banning active-ingredients or flexible use of inputs from the contractors to produce Good Agricultural Practices or organic products are considerable options.

Contract farming (CF) is considered a relevant measure to tackle the challenges to sustainable development from the serious effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the positive effects of CF, low participation and frequent breaching of contracts remain challenges. Several studies have mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of CF but little is known about their rankings and perceptions of CF from the involved stakeholders. To address these evidence gaps, this study surveys stakeholders, ranks the perceived advantages and disadvantages of CF, and investigates the problems and prospects of CF. The study utilizes data triangulation from three stakeholders: farmers, contractors, and government policymakers. Data include twenty-seven key informant interviews (KIIs), seven focus group discussions (FGDs), and two participant observations (POs). Data are analyzed by a mixed method approach with methods of constant comparison, content analysis, and Rank Based Quotient (RBQ). The results indicate that while the main perceived advantage of CF relates to the outputs, the top three disadvantages of CF relate to issues likely to cause a breach of contract. The results also reveal that there seems to be a difference in the perception of CF’s advantages and disadvantages among the stakeholders. Despite the problems such as breaching several contract terms, mistrust, or market manipulation from the local collectors, CF in Vietnam is overall promising.

The Journal of Business and Retail Management Research

As one of the fastest-aging countries globally, Thailand faces unique challenges in its agricultural landscape due to the accelerated aging of its farming population. As rice is the most important crop, it is essential to understand the perceptions of farmers regarding the effects of aging on rice farming and how they adapt to aging. This research examined the adjustments that rice farmers had made in their practices over the past 5 years to cope with this demographic shift. The study utilized survey data collected from 300 rice farmers across two prominent rice-producing provinces in Thailand. The findings revealed that 32% of the surveyed rice farmers had adapted to the challenges posed by aging. The top two adaptive strategies allowed descendants to be more involved in rice farming activities and utilization of labor-saving machinery. To analyze the factors influencing the decision to adapt to aging, a binary probit model was employed. The results indicated that several factors played a positive and significant role in the rice farmers’ decisions. These included the farmer’s age, the size of agricultural land, access to irrigation, land ownership, the farmer’s perception of the impact of aging on rice farming, willingness to learn to use and embrace innovative technology for planting and harvesting, and a reduced number of farming activities performed through custom hiring services. Among these factors, irrigation, land ownership, and the farmer’s perception of the aging impact were found to have a strong influence on the farmer’s adaptation.