Integrative Approach of Developing Sustainable Mango Production Systems in Northern Thailand

Abstract

Mango production in northern Thailand has potential to meet two marketing objectives; one is to produce for processing and the other is to produce fresh fruit for export. The variety that has been proved having good quality for processing is Kaew mango, while the currently most preferable variety for export of fresh fruit is Nam Dok Mai. The objective of this paper is to present the integrative approach of developing sustainable mango production for processing and for export of fresh fruit under the northern Thai conditions. Both products may share similar development framework, and yet there are different emphases in certain production processes between the two systems.

The northern Thailand has showed to possess diversity of Kaew mango. Varieties that inherit good quality for processing at mature and at ripen stages are highly desirable. The processed products from Kaew mango are in high demand. But the on-farm production is always unable to provide year round supply. The key success factor is to improve production practices. At present, ideal variety has been identified from local selection, and has named Kaew Chiang Mai. Proper propagation technique and multiplication program need to be designed for distribution to small farm holders. The perception of treating Kaew mango as no-input, no-management fruit crop in the traditional home-garden component crop is no longer feasible if farmers want to upgrade the production system for processing. Interaction between farmers and processing plants has gradually created better understanding of the necessity of linking production and processing under fair benefit sharing arrangement.

Japan is the major importer of fresh mango, specifically Nam Dok Mai variety. The export of fresh fruit is consumer-determined. Failure to comply with the import regulations will result in prosecution by complete rejection. Better cooperation between farmers and distributor-exporters has been observed to produce high quality fresh fruit product. The system requires precision farm practices of farmers and fast and efficient post harvest handling of exporters. The mango cluster strategy has been initiated by groups of Chiang Mai mango farmers whose aim is to produce fresh mango for export, and distributor-exporters from the central region to map out the development pathways for entering the highly competitive mango market in Japan. Some of research and development issues will be highlighted from the farmers-exporters workshop.