| Author | Suwanna Whangthongtham |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-90-39 |
| Subject(s) | Citrus fruits--Thailand--Pathum Thani--Research
|
| Note |
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Th e economi c and environmental implications of two
alternative citrus production systems were studi ed in two farms
in Pathum Thani province. The investigation focused on the
economic and environmental factors as affected by t h eir pest
contro l practices ( c hemical pesticide and neem mixture extract).
Measured of the economic and history performance of the
farms were described and analysed. The economics of using neem
mixture extract as a means of controlling pest was condu cted by
counting the pests population on both farms. The environmental
implication of using the different pesticides was described by
the water quality, pesticide residues and a bioassay experiment
of n eem. The soc i a l costs associated with the pest control
practices were based on the results of a s u rvey on health hazards
a mong the farmer population in Pathum Thani province.
The study indicated that the main objective of a famer using
chemic als is to maximize the Gross Margin resulting from his
intensive man agement, while that of the n eem farmer is mo re
oriented towards sustainability of the production system while
achieving a specific level of Gross Margin.
Neem mixture extract was significantly effective in
controlling the pest such as leaf miners (Phyllocnitis citrella)
at 1-4 days after spraying. Spiders were abundantly found in t he
neem mixture farm, but were rarely observed in the ch emical farm.
Most of the water quality parameters in both farms were
similar, but the chemi cal pesticides residu es remaining in the
water and fish were evident. This has implications as regards to
the s uit ability of raising fish in the che mi cal orchard
considering its possible e ffects on human heal th. Taking into
consideration information from an opinion survey a mong
aquaculture experts using delphi technique, Nil e tilapia (Tilapia
n ilotica ) could be an appropriate species for introduction to the
neem mixture extract farm.
The health hazard· s urvey in the main citrus cultivation area
showed that the chemicals used in citrus production are hazardous
to the user's health. Social costs occur as medical fees and
opportunity cost of labor. These cost will be saved by the
society as a whole if a h armless pesticide such as the neem
mixture extract will be use d on a larger scale. |
| Year | 1990 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Waibel, Hermann
; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne ;Athapol Noomhorm ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Government of The United Kingdom ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990 |