H ighland R esearch and D evelopment I nstitute

Thai Highlands Climatic conditions: Heavy monsoon rainfall Low temperature (winter season) Areas: Total country area: 51 million ha North of Thailand: 17 million ha - Lowland: 3 million ha - Upland: 5 million ha - Highland: 9 million ha (52% of the North, above 500 msl)

Thai Hill–tribe Population Hill–tribe population at 275,000 majority were Karen and Hmong Living in 20 provinces of northern and western part of Thailand (UN Survey 1965 – 1966) Unit: People, Thousands Thai Highlands

Problems 1. Poverty - No other crops grown in the highlands - Low yield of food crops + agri. products 2. Deforestation - Slash and burn cultivation - Farming in altitude 1,000-1,400 msl 3. Opium poppy cultivation - Cultivated area 17,920 ha - Yield 10 kg/ha - Farm gate price $US/kg (UNODC Survey, 1967) Thai Highlands

Program Areas and Beneficiaries Program Cent ers Villag es Populati on Royal Project ,911 Expanded areas ,325 Repetitive Opium Areas ,563 Water Conservation ,586 Knowledge Network ,971 Other Highlands-2,765703,440 Total2663,829964,916

Development Model           Land use planning: water and soil conservation Integration of GOs and local communities Social and community development Technology transfer and farm demonstration Production and marketing planning  Food security  Sufficient income  Better livelihood  Sound environment

1.Agricultural productivity 2.Postharvest and marketing 3.Biodiversity and natural 4.Social mechanism 5.Area-based research program Research Programs

Ame village MaeChanLuang, Duangjasai Jiangjasai, Santikiri Moderate control of resources utilization, development interventions supporting the conservation Conserved Forest Buffer Zone Soil and water conservation adopted in farming system Soil and water conservation - Slope Strictly control of resources utilization, development intervention supporting the conservation with public participation Soil and water conservation adopted in farming system Paddy rice Elevation and Land Use

Development Goal Food Security and Income Generating of Highland Communities Living in Cohesion with Upstream Environment Sound Environment in Upstream Watershed Sufficient food crops Sector Objectives Access of Alternative Crops and Careers Research Projects - Selection of pure seed line - Test of appropriate varieties - Improvement of soil fertility - Integrated pest control - Farming system - Native food/herbal plants Increasing Food Crops Productivity - Improving existing crops productivity - Introduction of new perennial and annual crops - Value added of indigenous knowledge Agrodiversity and off-farm adoption - Study of biodiversity index - Payment for ecosystem services - Social mechanism in envi. management - Rules and regulations Economic and Social Incentives Supporting and Growth Area-Based Research Program Concept 1818

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