Para-rubber Farming under the Unrest Situation in Three Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

          Para-rubber is the important economic crop in three southern border provinces. Therefore, the aims of
this research were to: 1) find out the para-rubber farmers’ demographic and socio-economic characteristics,
para-rubber production, and selling conditions in the three southern border provinces, and 2) compare income from, and cost of, the key para-rubber production systems in the three southern border provinces. Primary data were collected using formal interviews, informal interviews, and non-participant observations from a total sample of 313 para-rubber farmers, using purposive selection. Descriptive statistics and manifest content analysis were applied for data analysis. The results reveal that the para-rubber farmers are late-middle aged. Furthermore, they are very experienced in agricultural farming. The main objective of their para-rubber farming is to have an occupation that is a source of income for their households. The grown para-rubber varieties are RRIM 600 and RRIT 251. Additionally, the most popular para-rubber yield is cup lump rubber which is sold to local middlemen. The key para-rubber production systems can be classified into 5 systems: 1) para-rubber monocropping production system, 2) para-rubber and economic animal production system, 3) para-rubber and rice production system, 4) para-rubber and fruit production system, and 5) para-rubber and oil palm production system. The three para-rubber production systems: para-rubber–economic animals, para-rubber–fruits, and para-rubber–oil palm are attractive production systems because of their high incomes. The incomes of these para-rubber production systems are 338,650, 243,298, and 193,920 baht per year, respectively. Moreover, their costs are 169,890, 41,790, and 7,011 baht per year, respectively. The findings of this research will provide valuable information to policymakers as they formulate appropriate policies to develop para-rubber production.