Commercial Cultivation of King of Bitters (Andrographis Paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex Nees) of Farmers in Tha Maka District, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

At present, Andrographis paniculata is a plant that is considered important, thus causing a large demand for Andrographis paniculata. Information from the Federation of Thai Industries indicates that the current price of Andrographis paniculata seeds is 60-80 satang per seed from 20 Satang, which has a price up to 4 times higher. The outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand has increased the demand for Andrographis paniculata continuously. The government has continued to encourage farmers across the country to grow quality and standardized medicinal plants to meet the market demand. continued to increase. Thus, the objectives of this study were (1) to study the commercial cultivation of king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees)) of farmers in Tha Maka District, Kanchanaburi Province. (2) Guidelines for solving the problems farmers encountered in commercial cultivation of king of bitters. And (3) commercial cultivation method of farmers. In this study, the cultural qualitative research methodology was used. The data collection was conducted through interviews, observations, focus group discussions and reviews of relevant papers and researches and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results found that the method and guidelines for commercial cultivation of king of bitters of farmers, the results reveals that most farmers use their existing land as cultivation area and use the seeds from the mature pods. The plot is prepared as a raised bed with a 50 cm wide walkway between the plots. The cultivation is done by sowing with organic fertilizer added in the bottom of the hole. Both organic and chemical fertilizers are given afterwards. For the prevention of diseases and weeds, manual removal or use of mowing tools is required. Both leaves and stems of king of bitters can be harvested 110-150 days after sowing during its flowering phase. Dried produce has the storage life of about 1 year. For the year 2021, the farmers sold their produce at a rate of 200,000 baht per rai or 50 baht per kilogram of fresh weight. For the guidelines for solving the problems farmers encountered in commercial cultivation of king of bitters, better care and maintenance should be given to king of bitters for 1-4 harvests in a year because the cost of 2^nd – 4^th harvest is lower. King of bitters is usually harvested during the rainy season and early winter. The suggestions for commercial cultivation are that farmers should follow the weather forecast, establish farmer groups and networks, monitor market news, and enter into contracts with entrepreneurs who buy the produce to insure current and future production risks.