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Article
A Shifting Cultivation Method for Producing Papaya for Unripe Consumption in Northeast Thailand
Author(s)
Rapatsa Junthasri
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DOI:10.17265/1537-1514/2015.11.005
Affiliation(s)
Rapatsa Junthasri, Ph.D. (horticulture), associate professor, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand.
ABSTRACT
This was a survey research using a questionnaire. The sample population was 40 farmers who produced papaya for immature or unripe consumption. They were questioned about their cultivation practices, including choice of planting locations, land preparation methods, seedling production, irrigation and fertilization methods, method of selecting female or hermaphrodite trees, seed selection methods, harvest methods, and marketing methods. In addition, data were collected from 40 sample trees on the farmers’ fields in five locations in northeastern Thailand: Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Mukdahan, and Khon Kaen provinces for three years (2012, 2013, and 2014). Data were recorded on yield (kilograms per hectare), mean fruit weight, mean flesh thickness, mean fruit length, sales price each month, and mean incidence of Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV). The data showed that the farmers joined together in groups to rent land for papaya production. The rental contracts lasted only about 18 months, for one production cycle, after which the groups of farmers would shift their cultivation to a new location to avoid buildup of pathogens. To minimize spread of PRSV, the farmers mostly chose locations that were surrounded by rubber plantations or forests and had adequate water supply. They reduced costs by producing their own seeds and using locally-available chicken manure as a fertilizer supplement. During the survey period (2012-2014), the price paid to farmers for unripe papaya ranged from a low of 1 baht/kg to a high of 10 baht/kg, with the highest mean prices paid in April and November (reflecting high demand during holidays) and the lowest mean prices paid in July-August and February-March. Data on fruit quality and yield indicated that Kalasin Province had the most favorable climatic conditions for producing unripe papaya.
KEYWORDS
carica papaya, sustainable farming, fruit production, farmer groups, culinary demand, Papaya Ringspot Virus
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References
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