PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF STINKBEAN (Parkia speciosa Hassk.) PODS IN TRANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to determine production and marketing of stinkbean (Parkia speciosa Hassk.) in Trang province. Data wear collected by interviewing 3 groups of respondents, namely, stinkbean collectors, planters and sellers. The data wear analyzed, tabulated, and presented in terms of frequency, percent, mean, maximum and minimum. Results of the study indicated that most of wild stinkbean collectors (60%) were male and prefer to go alone. The average distance between homestead and the site for stinkbean collection was 4.1 km., and time using for collection was 3 hours per day. Most stinkbean collectors used wood stick for collecting the stinkbean. In 2001 and 2002, the total amounts of the collected stinkbean were 920,900 and 904,270 pods respectively, Most collectors sold collected stinkbeans by themselves and satisfied with selling prices. The average income from stinkbean collection was 23,000 baht per annum. The minimum, maximum and average of stinkbean planted area per farm were 4, 11 and 6.3 rai respectively. Normally, stinkbeans are planted mixed with para rubber, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit and longkong. There are 2 varieties of stinkbean, their local names were sato khao and sato dan. After planting stinkbean for 7 – 8 year stinkbean will bear fruits. The total number of the collected pods of stinkbean in 2001 and 2002 were 152,900 and 198,100 respectively. The average annual income from stinkbean planting per one grower was 81,560 haht. Most of stinkbean sellers obtained the products by buying from the villagers (92.86%). The reasons of the stinkbean sellers for engaging in this enterprise were the demand for and profits obtained from stinkbean were rather high. The varictics of stinkbean selling were sato khao and sato dan. Stinkbeans for sale are selected from the ripped pods. In 2001 and 2002, the total numbers of selling pods of stinkbean were 4,428,500 and 3,976,800 respectively. Prices of sato khao and sato dan range from 200 – 400 baht per 100 pods. The government agencies in this area should provide relevant knowledge especially appropriate stinkbean collection methods for local collectors, in order to avoid negative impacts on the environments and not destroy the mother trees. In addition, extension programs for stinkbean collectors to plant stinkbeans by mixing with other vegetations in their own lands are recommended.