Abstract
According
to National Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP 2015-2036) was launched
to increase the renewable energy utilization that would help to secure energy
which is produced domestically. Biomass energy is one of the potential energy
in Thailand. In order to manage biomass raw material continuously and
sustainably, one possible strategy is to promote fast growing tree plantation
without problem of food security by focus on degraded land which is about 20 %
of the whole country. This study determined the study area as soil degradation
area in severe and critical level of agricultural land reform area without
irrigation system to avoid land competition with food cultivation area. The
land suitability for fast growing tree was evaluated by GIS technique with
weighted sum method.
It was
found that the potential areas for fast growing tree plantation is Thailand is
4,406,414.27 Rai (705,026.3 ha). Most of the areas locate in the northern
Thailand at 39.63 percent of the total potential areas. The land suitability of
total potential area was classified into 4 categories, good, fair, low and not
suitable, at 22.05%, 77.51%,
0.26% and 0.18%, respectively. This potential area can provide income for
farmers who own the lands 352 – 586 USD/ha/year depends on productivity of each
land suitability level. Besides, wood produced from this potential area can use
as biofuel to generate electricity about 2,283.8 MW.
From the
mathematic model under the hypothesis of productivity condition, cost and
benefit analysis, among fast growing trees that normally plant in Thailand,
Eucalyptus is the most suitable follow by Acacia, Leuceana and Casuarina,
respectively. However to mitigate impacts which may occur from monoculture for
examples pests and diseases, mix plantation should be recommended. Moreover,
agroforestry system was also the good practice to reduce those impacts, and
instantly implement to farmers in this potential areas.