Proceedings of the UNESCO - University of Tsukuba International Seminar on Traditional Technology for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Asian-Pacific Region, held in Tsukuba Science City, Japan, 11-14 December, 1995.
Editors: Kozo Ishizuka, D. Sc. , Shigeru Hisajima, D. Sc. , Darryl R.J. Macer, Ph.D.
Northern mountainous areas of Thailand are climatically marginal areas for growing deciduous fruit trees which require some duration of chilling temperature under 10oC to break dormancy and resume subsequent bud sprouting. Growing deciduous fruit trees in these areas has a great potential incorporating agroforestry systems. It has been experimented by the Royal Project at Ang Kang Station.
I would like to introduce the work of Mr. Yamagishi, a graduate student. He has developed a sustainable orchard system here in Tsukuba. He grows persimmons and Japanese apricots, and as intercrops grow several field crops and manure crops including leguminous species. No cultivation is practiced and the surface of the soil is covered with mowed manure crops and weed. Energy input is as least as possible, no chemical fertilizers nor pesticides are used. Fallen leaves and other organic materials from the nearby forest are the only source of fertilization. Although the growth of the trees are rather slow and the yield of the fruits are much less compared with the conventional orchards with heavy input of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals, still some fruit production is realized.
I think this type of deciduous fruit growing is feasible in many subtropical areas, as well as tropical fruit growing. It is characterized by low energy and low chemical input and in harmony with environment.
One thing to be considered is the quality maintenance of the fruits after harvest during transportation and marketing. It will take several days to transport the fruits from the remote growing district to big cities, and the ambient temperature during that period is rather high even in winter. On site cooling is very effective and again a low energy input and low cost system is required. One of the successful examples is a passive cooling system using a roof-pond developed by Mrs. Sornsrivichai at Chiang Mai University.
In conclusion, deciduous fruit growing incorporated in an agroforestry system offers a promising type of agriculture which is environmentally oriented and at the same time a secure income for the farmers.