Jirasupa Tangtitawong. Traditional ecological knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants in agriculture : a case study of Pluk Mai Lai community, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2017.
Traditional ecological knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants in agriculture : a case study of Pluk Mai Lai community, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Abstract:
This research aimed to study the utilization of medicinal plants in agriculture and the factors affecting the use of medicinal plants in agriculture in farmers' household-level and Traditional Ecological knowledge of medicinal plants in agriculture. The study employed a survey of 125 households and in-depth interview of 3 local wisdom people who are using medicinal plants in agriculture. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS program using Logistic Regression Analysis. This study also collected the reasons why the farmers used and did not use medicinal plants in agriculture. The results found that Pluk Mai Lai community has long settled for more than 100 years, and most of the lands are used in agriculture. There is irrigation system in this area, so most of the plants planted are farm and horticulture plants. There are some agricultural learning centers and a conservation of 600 medicinal plants collected in the herb garden. There were only 24 households ( 19. 2% ) that used medicinal plants in agriculture. The local wisdoms used 62 plants which can be grown or collected in this area, and 9 plants that all of them used the same such as Neem, Siam weed, Mangosteen, Citronella grass, Custard apple, Greater galangal, Chilli, Bergamot, and Eucalyptus. These plants were used as herbicide to control pests, plants diseases, and weeds. The types of agriculture and income from agricultural factors were found to be statistically significant which affect the use of medicinal plants in agriculture at 0.05 significance level. The reasons the farmers used medicinal plants in agriculture because of the health of their family, customers, and community. Using medicinal plants could help farmers to reduce the costs of farming, and local wisdoms, members or groups in the community and government staff could support the use of medicinal plants in agriculture. Utilization of medicinal plants in agriculture will help the way of farming to be more environmentally friendly and could lead to a Sustainable Agricultural System. Related officers should promote and support by providing knowledge and learning experiences about the use of medicinal plants through agricultural learning centers. Knowledge sharing by the local wisdoms must be the first priority to transfer Traditional Ecological knowledge of medicinal plants in Agriculture to the farmers in the community.