a case study in Tambon Pongtalong, Amphoe Pakchong, Changwat Nakon Ratchasima, Thailand Paris, Andi Yuliani creator Dale, Reidar Chairperson Thapa, Gopal B. Examination Committee Soparth Pongquan Examination Committee text series technical report th Bangkok Asian Institute of Technology 1995 continuing eng 88 leaves This research analyses the factors which determining the crop changes with emphasis on farmers perspective. The study attempts to describe systematically the crop patterns and farming practices over last ten years in Tambon Pongtalong, Amphoe Pakchong, and Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The factors responsible for change in cropping patterns and farm practices were also discussed in detail The study found that factors such as cost for labor and input, price for crops, ease of cultivation are major factors influence farmers decision on crop selection. By increasing the amount of loan, the possibility will increase for farmers to allocate some money to cultivate new crops. Institutional factors such as extension both from government offices and private company also contributed to crops changes. It is also found that farmers who joined the agricultural groups are more innovative to try the-new crops. The study also found that farmers are diversifying their cropping patterns from field crops to vegetables and fruit trees. The given recommendations supports the cropping system which encourage the sustainable agriculture development . The study recommended re-organize of extension service at District level. This includes support and supervision, optimize use of contact farmers and increasing on density of contacts. The study also revealed that linkage between research center, Tambon Agriculture Extension Worker and farmers need to be promoted specially on - farm research through establishment of demonstration plot at Tambon level. A set of policies are also_ proposed in order to ensure the efficient extension service at all levels. Notes: I. This Research Study was completed as part of the requirements for the SPRING (Asia) Program. SPRING, an acronym for Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies, is an M.Sc. program jointly offered by AIT and the University of Dortmund, Germany. Under the SPRING Program, a Research Study carrying 12 credits must be conceptualized and completed within only one term, i.e. from 1st May to 31st July. Preferably, the topic should be related to the preceding district development workshop. The SPRING Program thus differs from other M.Sc. programs at AIT where most students write a thesis which spans at least eight months. 2. Professor V.Kreibich (University of Dortmund, Germany) attended the final examinations of the SPRING (Asia) students in August 1995. A Research Study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1995 Agricultural diversification Thailand Nakhon Ratchasima Asian Institute of Technology. http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B15213 http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B15213 100596 20260818090403.0