Fruit Crop Production under Highland Environment of Northern Thailand.

Abstract

About two to three decades ago, the high land areas of Northern Thailand was very rich in natural resources of forest trees. This area was comparatively unknown and therefore neglected. The natural environment there had been very well preserved until the migration of hill peoples from China and Burma. The traditional practices of shifting cultivation by these hill tribes turned the rich forest to poor and infertile land. Soil erosion followed the destruction of forest trees resulting in the altering of watershed system. This in turn caused floods followed by drought in the lowland areas. To restore the ecological environment, reforestation of these previously shifting cultivated land has been practiced by the Royal Forestry Department. However these reforested trees are slow growing and have high mortality rate especially during the dry period. Furthermore, these young forest trees do not receive maintainative attention from hilltribes in the area. Many horticultural crops have been introduced to these hilltribe farmers with the aim of providing income in place of opium cultivation. Among them, perennial fruit trees have great potential as an important tool in solving the problems created by the hilltribe people living in the highland areas. Fruit trees may provide a steady and reliable income for these people. It will also eventually eliminate the practice of shifting cultivation by setting them in one place permanently. If other factors are also favorable, it could curtail the practice of opium poppy cultivation as well. Furthermore, planting of fruit trees conforms with the normal reafforestation practices and conservation plans and assist the development of a more natural environment. The effects of some crops on the environment in the highland areas are discussed.