ISBN: 970-648-121-4 Benchaphun Ekasingh Phrek Gypmantasiri Kuson Thong-ngam Pichet Grudloyma Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico www.cimmyt.org Maize in Thailand: Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities Benchaphun Ekasingh1 Phrek Gypmantasiri1 Kuson Thong-ngam1 Pichet Grudloyma2 1 The Multiple Cropping Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. 2 Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Thailand. CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org) is an inter nationally funded, not-for-profit organization that conducts research and training related to maize and wheat throughout the developing world. Drawing on strong science and effective partnerships, CIMMYT works to create, share, and use knowledge and technology to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources. Financial support for CIMMYT’s work comes from many sources, including the members of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org), national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies. © International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) 2004. All rights reserved. The designations employed in the presentation of materials in this publication do not imply the expr ession of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CIMMYT or its contributory organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. CIMMYT encourages fair use of this material. Proper citation is requested. Correct citation: Ekasingh, B., P. Gypmantasiri, K. Thong-ngam, and P. Grudloyma. 2004. Maize in Thailand: Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT. ISBN: 970-648-121-4 AGROVOC descriptors: Seed production; Maize; Rice; Cassava; Sugar cane; Rubber tr ees; Food crops; Food security; Farming systems; Rural areas; Farmers; Poverty; Livestock management; Yield incr eases; Economic growth; Marketing; Environmental factors; Agricultural resources; Agricultural policies; International organizations; Project management; Thailand AGRIS category codes: E16 Production Economics F01 Crop Husbandry Dewey decimal classification: 633.1593 Printed in Mexico. iii Contents Page No. Tables ...................................................................................................................................... v Figures ..................................................................................................................................... vi Appendix ..................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... vii Abstract ................................................................................................................................... viii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 2 2. Description of Maize Agro-ecologies ..................................................................................... 4 2.1 General Topography .................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Agro-Ecology Specific Maize Production Systems ..................................................................... 5 2.2.1 Rainfed uplands .............................................................................................................. 5 2.2.2 Rice-based irrigated agro-ecozones ................................................................................ 5 2.3 Biophysical Environment ........................................................................................................... 6 2.3.1 Climate .......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3.2 Soil types ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Institutional Environment .......................................................................................................... 8 2.4.1 Line agency offices ......................................................................................................... 8 2.4.2 Cooperatives and user groups ........................................................................................ 8 2.4.3 Sources of material inputs .............................................................................................. 8 2.4.4 Credit institutions ........................................................................................................... 8 2.4.5 Prices of farm inputs and outputs ................................................................................... 8 2.5 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.5.1 Accessibility status and irrigation facilities ...................................................................... 9 2.5.2 Post-harvest facilities ....................................................................................................10 2.5.3 Markets and marketing practices .................................................................................. 10 2.6 Socioeconomic Characteristics ................................................................................................10 2.6.1 Households and ethnicity ............................................................................................. 10 2.6.2 Literacy and level of education ..................................................................................... 10 2.6.3 Landholdings and tenure systems ................................................................................ 10 2.6.4 Utilization of maize .......................................................................................................11 2.6.5 Farmer types ................................................................................................................ 11 2.6.6 Poverty and level of income ......................................................................................... 11 iv 3. Maize Production Trends and Systems ................................................................................. 14 3.1 Maize Production Trends ......................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Maize Production Systems ...................................................................................................... 14 3.2.1 Major farm enterprises ................................................................................................. 14 3.2.2 Crops and cropping patterns ........................................................................................ 15 3.2.3 Maize cropping calendar .............................................................................................. 16 3.2.4 Maize varieties grown and farmers’ preferences ........................................................... 17 3.2.5 Land preparation and crop management practices ....................................................... 18 3.2.6 Labor use ..................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.7 Material input use ........................................................................................................ 19 3.2.8 Harvest and post-harvest practices ............................................................................... 20 3.2.9 Yields and reasons for yield gap ................................................................................... 20 4. Constraints to Increasing Maize Production Growth ............................................................ 22 4.1 Biotic and Abiotic Constraints ................................................................................................. 22 4.1.1 Major maize pests and diseases ................................................................................... 22 4.1.2 Soil fertility and crop management ............................................................................... 22 4.2 Institutional Constraints ........................................................................................................... 23 4.2.1 Information constraints ................................................................................................. 23 4.2.2 Labor and material inputs supply constraints ................................................................ 23 4.2.3 Credit sources and constraints ...................................................................................... 23 4.3 Other Constraints ...................................................................................................................