EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS PLANTED BY SMALL FARMERS IN THE NORTHEAST

Abstract

In a case study on practice of Eucalyptus camaldulensis by small farmers at Den Chang village, Khon Kaen Province, it was observed that the farmers chose to plant trees along the sides of the fields, water-bodies, and roads, rather than planted on a special woodlot. The growth of Eucalyptus trees was generally restricted to separate areas per se since the farmers did not want to lose their agricultural land to tree planting. After planting out, most farmers could not afford the time to look after the planted seedlings due to other more important duties of earning a living. Survival and growth of Eucalyptus was mostly influenced by the amount of rain received, soil conditions, and attacked by grazing livestock. Insect damages occured during their seedlings stage of growth. To the farmer's aspect, trees to be planted need not to be Eucalyptus camaldulensis, rather, other native tree species such as Sadao (Azadirachita indica), Makatae (Sindora siamensis) and Koon (Cassia fistula Linn.) deserved also well attention. Fertilizers test as carried out by the farmer (special case) increased growth of Eucalyptus significantly and gave good impression to the farmer who practiced as well as gave good impression to the eyes of the nearby neighbors, as far as tree fertilization was concerned. Although practice of tree planting in the agricultural field still restricted to small numbers of farmers, however, such practices stimulate the so-called leader and followers in the community. In addition, such practice help to improve land use especially the more efficient use of agricultural field by small farmers. To plant trees as a source of fuelwood did not bring about good inspiration to the farmers, as there were pointed out that part of the income received from selling agricultural crop could be spent to purchase firewood or charcoal. However, to promote the farmers to plant more trees in their un-use farm land, as a source of wood for house construction material, had received strong interest. The farmers also viewed changes from fuelwood to electricity if trees were to be diminished from their farm land.