6.3.
Characters and Role of Chain Actors
GROWERS
General Characteristics and Cropping
The pomelo growers in Thailand cultivate Pomelo on an approximately average of 4.5 rai or 0.72 hectares per family. Presently there are 65,638 pomelo growers (OAE, 2008) in Thailand.
They are mainly dependent on family labour and hire external labour mainly in the harvest season. The family members are in charge for weeding, watering, fertilizing and chemical application to monitor pests and diseases. Pomelo is harvested by hand, cut from the stem with a knife or scissor.
The average investment costs for Pomelo orchards is about 67.350 THB per/ha according OAE (OAE, 2008). Main production cost are for pesticides, other chemical agents, fertilizers, fuel for water pump and labor.
The largest area of Pomelo cultivation is in the South (56.23%) followed by the North (17.79%) and the Central (17.09%). The major varieties for export markets are Khao Thong Dee and Khao Nam Pueng. The average yield in 2007 was 9.38 MT per hectare increased by 2.75% compared with 2006 (9.33 Ton per hectare).
According to interviews with pomelo growers in Nakorn Chai Sri, Nakorn Pathom province, the pomelo production area is decreasing. The pomelo growers replaced pomelo with other crop such as paddy (attractive price in rice crop 2007/08), guava, and rose apple. There are several explanations such as the price of pomelo maintained basically on the same level while production costs increased significantly, urbanization pushes the land price in the outskirt of Bangkok up, old pomelo cultivation area became more vulnerable to pests and diseases (some orchards are older than 20 years) and loss of soil fertility. Old pomelo trees would need to be replaced with new seedlings but the farmers are uncertain of the high investment and production price fluctuations, some areas have been subject to repeated flooding.
Although the harvest time is to a certain extend all year round - the major production yields between August and September (“Som Pee” - season) and main second season is in April to May (“Som Tawai”- season). As pomelo can be stored for several months they are marketed the whole year – although with seasonal and regional price fluctuations.
The pomelo producers in Wieng Kaen cultivate approximately 5-6 rai per family (or approx. 1 ha). Some of them cultivate also other cash crops such as rubber to decrease the risk from pomelo production and price fluctuations.
The main varieties grown in Wieng Kaen are Thong Dee and Khao Nam Puang with some Chandler/Pink Pomelo (10%).