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multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

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Multipurpose Tree Species in Agro<strong>for</strong>estry Extension Research<br />

In ge :ral, most of the hillside areas in Thailand<br />

are dry and windy all year long. T!,cy are not as<br />

productive as the fertile flat arcps. However,<br />

consitered in light of a natural resource<br />

( o, .rvation strategy, they are vury important as<br />

b-.::cr zones betwcer' the mo itain <strong>for</strong>ests,<br />

populated areas, industrial areas and permanent<br />

agricultural zones,<br />

Most of the hillide areas in which the farmers<br />

live arc similar to the mountains as far as food,<br />

fuclwood resources and other <strong>for</strong>est productL., are<br />

concerned. The association between the villagers<br />

and the mountain <strong>for</strong>ests has decreasvd since the<br />

go.Urnment dccieed those areas protected <strong>for</strong>ests<br />

and wildlife sanctuarics and passed a law<br />

<strong>for</strong>bhdding their utilization,<br />

Where a <strong>for</strong>ested area was declared a protected<br />

reserve the farmers moved out of the <strong>for</strong>est to live<br />

in villages. Agricultural practices were modified<br />

from subsistence to methods enploying<br />

monocultures over large areas. Consequently,<br />

there has been widespread de<strong>for</strong>estation and the<br />

soil has deteriorated so that the yield no longer<br />

justifies the capital invested. When the farmers get<br />

into debt, they migrate to the cities to find work, or<br />

sell their plots and invade the <strong>for</strong>est to grow a few<br />

crops. This cycle has been rep2atcd so often that<br />

the hillsides arc dcgraded and the previously<br />

abundant mountain <strong>for</strong>ests have been dcstroyed.<br />

This is a constant source of conflict be:;,ecn the<br />

Government oiThailand and the rural people.<br />

Background<br />

'his study took place at Klong Mark Nut Village.<br />

1.is <strong>part</strong> of the Royal Hillside Area Deveiopment<br />

Project in Prachinburi Province, near Pangsida<br />

Nz ional Pan,. A <strong>part</strong> of th,; national <strong>for</strong>est was<br />

deveoped through the Forest Village Program as a<br />

demonstration area <strong>for</strong> five nearb, villages at the<br />

foot of Bantad Mountain. Apprcximatcly 3,400<br />

pc,,plc live in these villages.<br />

About 750 people live in the Village ol Klong<br />

Mark Nut. The village is composed of people who<br />

have moved there from several provincc, in<br />

northeast Thailand since 1967. 11is governed by a<br />

PearmsakMakarabhirom<br />

Royal Forest Delrtment<br />

Bangkok, Thailand<br />

89<br />

provincial committee b..--d of dire':' ors which<br />

oversees land distributiu.: o the viiiagers. 2<br />

Three plots, <strong>for</strong> a total of 15 rai (lrai = 1,600m )<br />

are provided to cach family under the program.<br />

The land distributed consists of one ral of living<br />

area, seven rai of rainfed land and seven rat of<br />

irrigated land. The three farmers described in<br />

the case studies, however, received only 0.5 rai<br />

<strong>for</strong> a home plot.<br />

The living area is clustered in a flat area near<br />

a source of water. Although the cultivated area<br />

is also flat, the ,oil is infertile as a result of years<br />

of monocropp'ng with cassava and maize. The<br />

problems of the villagers in this area include low<br />

yields, lack of capital to purchase inputs, low<br />

market prices <strong>for</strong> their products, and crop<br />

damage by the stroaig winds.<br />

Current'Vorestry Activities<br />

Forest activitis undertaken in dhe area oy<br />

the Royal Forest De<strong>part</strong>ment (RFD) include<br />

re<strong>for</strong>estation and maintenance of 500 rai/vr on<br />

steep slopes, and the establishment of village<br />

woodlots. The villagers earn income from<br />

workin in <strong>tree</strong> nurseries and on tr'ee<br />

plantations. However, there are no clear<br />

guidelines <strong>for</strong> administering the harvesting and<br />

distribution of benefits from the government<br />

woodlots.<br />

Agro<strong>for</strong>estry Extension Research<br />

Agro<strong>for</strong>estry is used to promote effective<br />

land utilization in Klong Mark Nut and nearby<br />

villacs. It also aims to encouragey increasing<br />

<strong>part</strong>icipation among farmers. Two important<br />

lessons have 1been learned aboui field extension<br />

<strong>research</strong> in tnis area of Thailand: the RFD does<br />

not have enough resources <strong>for</strong> a-fully funded<br />

<strong>research</strong> ef<strong>for</strong>t. Thus, <strong>research</strong> projects arc<br />

designed contingent upon tie <strong>research</strong>er's<br />

interests and may not be useful to ihe farmers.<br />

Second, <strong>research</strong> projects, experiments, and<br />

demonstrations by government agencies are<br />

often not appropriate <strong>for</strong> farmers' needs.<br />

Experimental designs arc influenced by<br />

standard experimental patterns or the use of

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