The Utilization Value of Non–timber Forest Products at the Ban Pang Sawan Community Forest, Khok Khwai Sub–district, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the socio–economic utilization value of non–timber forest products and their processing into commodities for the people living in the Ban Pang Sawan Community, Khok Kwai Sub–district, Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani province. Data was obtained by interviewing 94 household heads or representatives and were evaluated using statistical analysis which included frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, and mean.

The results indicated that most of the people utilizing the non–timber forest products in Ban Pang Sawan community were male (67.0%), with an average age about 51.7 years, among which 58.5% had elementary school education. The main occupation was agriculture, (51.1%), with an average household income of 139,825.70 Baht/year and an average expenditure of around 103,881.80 Baht/year. The average land holding was 5.7 rai, with 46.8% of the individuals having some debt. In total, 10 types of non–timber forest products used were firewood, bamboo, bamboo shoots, wild fruits, wild vegetables, mushrooms, tuber crops, insects, and insect products, small animals and medicinal plants with an estimated total net value of 632,653.50 Baht/year or 6,730.50 Baht/year/household. Mushroom collection had a net value of 202,547.00 Baht/year or 2,154.80 Baht/year/household. Among the surveyed individuals, 34% faced some issues in gathering non–timber forest products. Within the individuals, 43.6% of them did non–timber forest products processing which included charcoal, pickled bamboo shoots and pickled mushrooms with fish sauce, and were valued at 12,424.80, 86,170.00, and 40,000.00 Baht/year, respectively. These processed goods were used in the household, for sale, and for additional income generation in the household. Therefore, government agency units should promote the processing of non–timber forest products for household utilization as a source of additional household income.