Possibility for Krachai-Dam (Kaempferia parviflora Wall ex Baker) Commercial Production

Abstract

The objectives of this reserch were to identify the problems and obstacles of Krachai-Dam production and marketing for the possible commercial production of farmers in Loei, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces. The data were collected from interviewing of seventy nine Krachai-Dam growers, purposively sampled at 5 districts, namely, Phu Rua, Dan Sai, Na Eaeo in Loei province; Chat Trakarn in Phitsanulok province; and Lom Kao in Phetchabun province during February to March 2005. The data derived from the questionnaires were then analyzed by SPSS for Windows version 10.0. Statistical values used were percentages, means and standard deviations. The secondary data concerned pharmaceutical activites of rhizomes and economical cost and returns of growing Krachai-Dam wee also studied as well as the evaluation for commercial production possibility in Thailand. The findings indicated that most farmers were unsatisfied with the price of Krachai-Dam rhizomes which made them earn the high disadvantage of 9,656.59 baht on average after cost of production deduction per rai per season. The Krachai-Dam rhizomes had the average price of 17.33 bahts/kg. whereas the break-even point of Krachai-Dam production was 31.71 bahts/ kg. The main problems and obstacles encountered were the Krachai-Dam marketing, marketplace and the prices of Krachai-Dam rhizomers. The farmers had statd that the price guarantee, marketplace for Krachai- Dam distribution, provding and confirming the actively pharmaceutical ingredients in Krachai-Dam rhizomes by scientists or pharmacologists, quota for growers and standardization of Krachai-Dam rhizomes as raw materials had been the most important needed from the government. The results from the secondary dat about pharmaceutical activities of pure compounds and extracts from Krachai-Dam rhizomes revealed that there were 2 main activities : adaptogenic and vasolidation activities which gave the most influence on purchasing decision of Krachai-Dam comsumers. Therfore, if the government sectors could prove both activities in human and improved the qualities of Krachai-Dam products according to the preference of consumers, growing Krachai-Dam for commercial purpose would have high possibility to succeed in Thailand.