Tree-crop diversification in rubber plantations to diversify sources of income for small-scale rubber farmers in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Rubber is an important cash crop for most smallholders in Thailand, where more than 95% of rubber is produced by small farmers who mainly grow rubber trees (hevea) as a monocrop (90% of plantations). But monocrops are subject to price fluctuations, and this system is being increasingly replaced by rubber- based agroforestry systems (rubber-AFS). The aim of this study was to assess the main trajectories of farmers who have changed or are moving from monocrop to rubber-AFS. The results show four differ- ent patterns of diversification: growing fruit trees as a monocrop, then changing to rubber-AFS; growing timber trees as a monocrop, then changing to rubber-AFS; changing from monocrop rubber to rub- ber-AFS; starting with rubber-AFS from the beginning. We also found that farm- ers use seven types of crop associations in their plots, depending on the eco- nomic uses of the intercropped trees. A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) was con- ducted in addition to the economic analysis, with a view to developing guidelines to improve the future of hevea-based plantations.