8.1.
Growers
CONSTRAINTS:
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Increase of production costs
Growers note that the costs of fertilizers and pesticides are relatively high (up to 40% of total production costs - depending on the farming system). As a response many farmers moved towards integrated farming techniques and to increase soil fertility with more organic inputs vs. external synthetic fertilizer.
Also costs of fuel for irrigation pumps and transportation increased and amounts for approximately 40% of production costs.
Since the oil price increased since 2006, it pushed the fertilizer and agriculture input prices by 150 -500% up, compared with the fertilizer price level in 2006. Although oil prices decreased recently again the input prices still maintain on the high level so far.
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Risk and financing
In some areas orchards are relatively old and need re-planting – in others extension is ongoing or needed to fulfill economy of scale requirements. Still pomelo requires a relatively high initial investment compared with other short production cycle crops. It needs more than four years before first harvest and full harvest is not realized until the 8th or 9th year. This creates financial risks and burden to small scale growers.
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Small scale production pattern
Pomelo farming is based in small scale farming patterns in Thailand. Although this has advantages in risk management and environmental terms it is a constraint in management requirements and flexibility of adjustments as well as for capital resources
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Insufficient pruning
High trees make it difficult to check ripeness level of individual fruits before harvesting
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Lack of understanding and knowledge of proper farm and production management
There are no clear formulated and enforced production rules (such as for soil management and good agricultural practice) and post harvest rules for the majority of farmers. The practice of pomelo production is not unified.
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Lack of documentation, record and accounting skills
Generally the small scale pomelo farmers are not very familiar with farm records and documentation of inputs. Although some of the farmers do it, it is not always sufficient - systematic and unified. It is necessary for the farmer to keep farm records to monitor costs of production, quality production management, a traceability system and to comply with relevant certification requirements as well.