DIVERSITY AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS OF LOCAL VEGETABLES IN SURAT THANI PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the diversity and consumption patterns of local vegetables in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. The research was conducted from June 2018 to April 2019 by using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with merchants, farmers, and elderly people in Surat Thani Province. The data specified only the local vegetables grown in Surat Thani Province and collected the data regarding 1) name of vegetables, 2) nature of vegetables, 3) place of cultivation, 4) edible parts recording, and 5) consumption patterns. The database was created from all of this information. There were 63 species, 35 families of local vegetables in Surat Thani Province found. The Fabaceae was the most common family found in Surat Thani (12.70%). Most of the local vegetables were herbaceous plants (38.10%) and grown on land (84.13%). The young shoots of those vegetables were the most preferable parts to consume. The most popular consumption pattern was as "Paknhor" (a side dish). The Paknhor is perfectly complemented with any kind of food such as curries, rice noodles in spicy curry and spicy salad. A database of local vegetables in Surat Thani Province was created on a Surat Thani Rajabhat University’s server. The research results was related to the wisdom of the people in the area. Local vegetables should be encouraged to be consumed more widely. In addition, this knowledge could be applied to create a food security management system in the community.