Knowledge and Practices of Management of Teak Plantation of Small Farmers in Chiangklang District, Nan Province

Abstract

          The purpose of this research was to study the economic and social conditions of the status of teak forest plantation, knowledge and practices of management of teak plantation of small farmers in Chiang Klang District, Nan Province, by defining the population as those who plant monoecious teak plantations with an area of not more than 10 rai in Chiang Klang district, Nan province, namely, Salee Village, Wang Thong, Tut Mai, Nong Phuk, Sri Udom, and Dentara. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with 3 key informants and an interview form with a specific sample of 40 people. A statistical package program analyzed data and used descriptive statistics.

            The results showed that most small farmers were male, 57.5%, average age 61.6 years or 77.5% graduated from primary school, and had an average net income of 14,687.00 baht per household per year. The average expenditure on planting forests is 2,602.50 baht per household per year. Forest plantation area totaling 102 rai 300 square wah or 62.9 % with title deeds. Most of them had teak plantation size 1-3 rai or 74.4%, average plantation age 15.3 years, planted for sale 72.1% for use 23.3%. The small farmers had some knowledge in teak plantation management or 65.0% moderate and 80.0% of teak plantation management practice level. Although they knew teak plantation management, there are still misunderstandings and overlooks about the importance of forest plantation management. As a result, there is no severe and continuous management of the teak plantation, resulting in slow growth and the small size of teak trees. When farmers want to cut down trees for sale, they earn relatively low incomes. The critical problem is farmers do not know the actual market price of teak and, therefore, have no chance of negotiating the price with wood buyers, which may be the main reason leading to the change of land from teak plantation to monoculture or the use of other benefits instead.