The Jujube Production System in Ban Meng Sub-district, Khon Kaen Province, Northeast Thailand

บทคัดย่อ

Jujube is a popular fruit consumed by people in Northeastern Thailand. Jujube trees are drought tolerant and well suited to sandy upland soils. They are also tolerant of soil salinity which is believed to have given a better taste to the fruit. Ban Meng sub-district (tambol) is known as the first area in Khon Kaen province to have started jujube production. Jujube farmers there were interviewed to understand the production system for jujube, assess the costs and benefits of jujube growing, and identify the ecological and social factors that affect success in cultivating this new crop. Although the economic returns are much higher than other upland crops like cassava and sugarcane, farmers need to make a substantial initial investment to establish a jujube orchard, and also need to learn specialized production knowledge and skill. Also, jujube fruit production needs adequate water supply, and high application of expensive inputs including fertilizers, hormones, pesticides and hired labor. Consequently, the agroecological niche of jujube is much narrower than the niches occupied by sugarcane and cassava. Only the farmers who have the necessary resources and growing conditions are able to successfully produce jujube fruit in Ban Meng sub-district.