Measuring the labour productivity of sericultural farmers in Mahasarakham province, Thailand

Sericultural farming is important to the local economy of Mahasarakham province of Thailand. This study measured the labour productivity of sericultural farmers by calculating the total labour value added per hour worked, given that the total labour value added refers to the difference between the total revenue and the total cost, not including the labour cost. This mixed-method research collected empirical data from 160 households in five districts of Mahasarakham during the 2020 production cycle using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Silk mulberry sales minus all costs (except labour) were used to represent the added value of labour. The overall total revenue data and total costs in each production cycle were used in this study. The study's results revealed that farmers' total labour productivity equated to 1.68 USD per hour per production cycle, 9.69 USD per day and 1,559.61 USD per year, calculated using the added value of labour divided by total hours worked. When comparing by district, Na Dun had the highest productivity of labour at 1.90 USD per hour, followed by Na Chueak (1.82 USD per hour), Wapi Pathum (1.70 USD per hour), Phayakkhaphum Phisai (1.50 USD per hour) and Yang Sisurat tires (1.46 USD per hour), respectively. The research results showed that the labour productivity of the studied sericultural farmers, 1.68 USD per hour, was higher than the minimum wage of Mahasarakham labours in 2022, which was 1.26 USD per hour. Despite the higher productivity cost, various challenges faced by the farmers were also identified, including a shortage of labour, lack of a market to support production, insufficient promotion and support from government agencies, a low price for silk products, damage to barns repair costs, lack of investment and production factors. The procedures and methods used to raise silkworms are complicated and time-consuming. Traditional farmers' barns are insufficient for raising silkworms and sick silk varieties; a suitable barn design and systematic production management are recommended, providing the research's empirical evidence confirmed to help enhance labour productivity. Based on the results and discussions, this paper recommends future studies to investigate practical guides to help increase labour productivity and tackle the challenges facing local sericultural farming to a wider extent. Key words: Labour productivity, Measuring labour productivity, Sericultural farmers, Value-added labour