Non-timber Forest Products Utilization Value at Nong Khoo Sivicultural Research Station, Surin Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were socio-economic conditions and general information, the amount of non-timber forest products utilization, the value of non-timber forest products utilization, the processing and value added to non-timber forest products for commercial purposes of the villagers who lived in their communities nearby Nong Khoo Research Station. This research also studied about market trade of non-timber forest products at the Sonsongbai local community market. There were 3 sets of designed questionnaire for data collecting from 2 groups of 1) 300 households lived in their communities nearby Nong Khoo Research Station 2) and 4 main traders at Sonsongbai local community market. Statistical analysis were descriptive and quantitative such as frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum and mean.

The result of this study indicated that 73.00 percent of the sample villagers were female with their average age was 51.67 years, 49.33 percent graduated primary school and their major occupation were farmer of 57.33 percent. Average annual household income was 139,825.67 baht and 80.33 percent indebtedness. The average size of their landholding was 9.73 rai. They had received information about forest resources of 66.00 percent. Those who had knowledge about forest law related to non-timber forest products gathered in the national reserved forest at the high level of 54.33 percent. There were 11 types of non-timber forest products being gathered: firewood, bamboo, bamboo shoots, forest fruits, forest vegetables, mushroom, insects and products from insects, resin and gum, small animals and herbs. The total net annual value of their gathered was 4,393,714.09 baht, an average annual household income was 14,645.71 baht. Processing of non-timber forest products for commercial purpose had firewood processing to be charcoal and sold for their family income. While forest product traders at Sonsongbai local community market were mainly operated on their own between 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. The non-timber forest products had sold consist of 41 categories for all seasonal.