Abstract
Nipa palms, a plant species in mangrove forest, are valuable and beneficial for the local community's economy as well as the conservation in the southern region of Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the use of nipa palms in Khanap Nak and focused on the type of products made from nipa palms and the yield of this plant through focus group discussion and interview with the farmers maintaining nipa palm forest. The results suggested that nipa palms in Khanap Nak can yield for 5–100 years. Apart from the benefits to the community in terms of sustainability, as it prevents erosion, it provides sources for the production of food (molasses, granulated sugar, syrup, and vinegar from sap) and raw materials (roofing material and cigarette paper from leaves and stem), which can generate income to community members. It was found that most of the communities earn 90–130 USD/day from palm sugar production. The quantity of nipa palm products varies in each season, resulting in different prices. In this regard, they can produce high quantity of products made from sap from January to March. However, the production of different types of sugar requires local knowledge and wisdom to ensure good quality. Nipa palm production is the sustainable way to utilize mangrove forest resources, leading to effective conservation and good life quality. Regarding problems and difficulties in farming, it was found that natural disaster is a major threat, such as drought, excessive amount of salt or freshwater in certain periods, and insect pests.
Highlights
A plant species in mangrove forest, are valuable and beneficial for the local community’s economy as well as the conservation in the southern region of ailand. is study aimed to investigate the use of nipa palms in Khanap Nak and focused on the type of products made from nipa palms and the yield of this plant through focus group discussion and interview with the farmers maintaining nipa palm forest. e results suggested that nipa palms in Khanap Nak can yield for 5–100 years
Khanap Nak has an area of approximately 38.8 square kilometers with 10 villages and a total population of 5,295 people. e community is a coastal community with a large amount of nipa palms
Khanap Nak is an area with high nipa palm cultivation and has utilized nipa palm to produce a variety of products for a long time
Summary
A plant species in mangrove forest, are valuable and beneficial for the local community’s economy as well as the conservation in the southern region of ailand. is study aimed to investigate the use of nipa palms in Khanap Nak and focused on the type of products made from nipa palms and the yield of this plant through focus group discussion and interview with the farmers maintaining nipa palm forest. e results suggested that nipa palms in Khanap Nak can yield for 5–100 years. A plant species in mangrove forest, are valuable and beneficial for the local community’s economy as well as the conservation in the southern region of ailand. Nipa palm production is the sustainable way to utilize mangrove forest resources, leading to effective conservation and good life quality. Located in Pak Phanang Basin, Khanap Nak is the largest source of nipa palms in ailand [1]. Many local communities inherit traditional techniques for generations to utilize nipa palms that remain a part of the community’s livelihood [1]. The value of nipa palms on environmental, social, and economical aspects is the contribution to sustainable utilization of forest products. The present study aimed to identify a variety of nipa palms’ sap products utilized by local communities in Pak Phanang Basin. It was expected to contribute to the literature regarding the role of nipa palms in these communities, income generation, and its environmental value
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