native vetiver grass learning center and local wisdom utilization in Phu Sing district Sisaket province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: 1) to study the native vetiver grass in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, 2) to study local wisdom utilization in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, and 3) to establish the native vetiver grass learning center and local wisdom utilization in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province.The purposive samples were agriculturists, staffs at Royal Agriculture Development Center of Phu Sing, staffs at Land Development Department, community leaders, teachers, students, citizens in the area of Phu Sing district, officers at public health center,  local wisdom philosophers of herbs, and women’s group of OTOP product in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province. This qualitative research and Quantitative Research participatory research consisted of 3 steps as follows: 1) study the native vetiver grass in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, 2)perform participating operation of the community to study area aspect in order to collect information about the utilization of native vetiver grass usage according to local wisdom and to study the knowledge conveying from model PTT agriculturist including women’s group of vetiver grass handicrafts in the Royal project at Khukhan district, Sisaket province, and 3) establish native vetiver grass learning center and local utilization in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province. The instruments used in this study were document analysis form, structured interview form, and questionnaires which were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, IOC, exploration factor analysis, and content analysis in systematic descriptive statistic.

The findings revealed that:

1. The overall result of 21 samples found that 14 people (66.7%) knew local vetiver grass while 7 people (33.3%) don’t. Well-known vetiver grass species were Songkhla 3, Roi-ed, Kumpaengpetch 2, Surat, Sri Lanka, NakhonSawan, covered vetiver grass, parted vetiver grass, and grouped vetiver grass. Moreover, the knowledge aspects of 21 samples people before participating in the project were, for instance, reducing soil erosion, making fertilizer, producing animal food, making vetiver grass handicraft and local wisdom utilization. These skills were used by 9 people (42.9%) followed by breeding native vetiver grass which was used by 8 people (38.1%), The planting of native vetiver grass seedlings was adopted least at 4 people (19.0%) respectively. After participating in this project, number of samples who used breeding native vetiver grass method was 21 people (100%) followed by reducing soil erosion, making fertilizer, producing animal food, medicine, making vetiver grass handicraft and local wisdom utilization amount of 20 people (95.2%). The minor implementation of 2 issues of knowledge gaining after participating in this project were planting of native vetiver grass seedlings and establishing native vetiver grass learning center. The establishment of learning center in demonstration plots area was supported by 19 people (90.5%) respectively.


2. Concerning to the local wisdom utilization of native vetiver grass in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, the result revealed that 1) the native vetiver grass used for conserving soil, water and preserving natural resources were 2 kinds: Songkhla 3 and Roi-et, 2) the native vetiver grass was selected to use for ruminant animal feeding, 3) the villagers used the native vetiver for ruminant animal feeding to make fermented plant, 4). the products of vetiver grass handicraft, 5) the medical advantage was anti-fungal disease.


3. In the aspect of establishing native vetiver grass learning Center and local wisdom utilization in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, the learning center was located at Land Development Station in the area of Phu Sing Agricultural Development Center with 20 rai (32,000 square meters)of demonstration plots of vetiver grass which will be used both as demonstration plots and distribution center for agriculturists and extended to sustainable development.

Keywords: native vetiver grass, learning center, local wisdom utilization