Abstract:
Winged bean is one of the well-known plants in Thailand Normally, its young pods are used as food, Later, it is found that winged bean possesses a special property in fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere by bacteria in its nodules which outyield other legumes. Hence, winged bean is nutritionally worthy, particularly enriched with protein which is always lacking in the tropical zone, the area that best suits the growing of winged bean, thus, this kind of bean should be encouraged to be grown for commercial purpose. The main objective of this thesis is to study the total cost of winged bean planting, starting from growing until harvest, The author selected to make the study at Amphoe Chan Thuk, Changwat Nakhon Ratchasima during 1979-81. Data have been accumulated from the experimental plots at Chan Thuk, including documents and books related to the winged bean. It is found that the annual growing costs pre rai in 1979-81 amounted to Baht 2,334, 2,650, and 3,117, respectively. The total average cost per rai was Baht 2,776. Most of the expenses were on labour which averaged approximately 52.52% of the total cost. The yield per rai was 85, 61, and 79 Kilograms, in 1979-81, respectively making an average yield of 73 Kilograms. Such a low yield per rai in each year may due to the improper use of seed, as well as unsuitable climatic factors and cultivation practices. Experimenting at the plots faced a lot of problems, such as lack of skill and know-how among the labourers, high cost of investment and market distribution. To solve these problems, close cooperations among all concerned sectors, both government and private, are need, the followings are some recommendations and solutions to the problems; 1. Intensive research on the winged bean varsities should be made to find out the variety that gives highest yield of mature seed, or tuber, or both, which can adapt itself to the various environment, such as in the field in the paddy on the dike and high land, etc. 2. Improvement of the varieties should be developed to obtain bushy form of plant in order to lessen the need of stakes, and to be planted as ordinary field crops. 3. Market expansion of winged bean should be promoted especially in regard to the supply of mature seeds for the vegetable oil industry, which, at the moment in facing the shortage of raw material supply. Besides, the seed cake, the by-product of vegetable oil extraction, can also be supplied to the animal feed industry. Finally, the author believes that the findings of this thesis will be beneficial to the agricultural circle, especially to those who are prepared to plant winged bean for commercial purpose, as well as the private sector and the government authorities concerned.