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