Dried Flowers from the Thai Royal Project

MANILA, Philippines - The Royal Project Foundation of Thailand initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej has successfully produced dried flowers for livelihood of the hilltribes and villagers in the highlands of Thailand. The academe (Kasetsart University) was tapped to provide and develop technologies for gathering, cultivation and processing of native plant materials.

Among the technologies developed are bleaching, drying, plasticization and coloring of dried materials and skeletonization of leaves for development of a diversity of products. The project is in its 13th year now and has placed Thailand at the center of Dried Flower Suppliers in the World Market. Export value of dried flowers from Thailand reached 59.8 million Baht in 1993 and rose to 116 million baht in 1996 and is continuously increasing year by year.

Native Dried Flower Materials in Thailand

Thailand is native to 15,000 species of vascular plants. Wild flowers abound all over the country even in the grasslands, mountains and shorelines. Examples of native wild flora from the North developed for commerce are: Anaphalis margaritaces, Anaphylium affine, Tricholepis karensium, Polycarpeae corymbosa, Osbeckia chinensis, Eragrostis zeylanica, Cibotium barometz, Pteridium aquilinum and many others. Ubon Ratchatani supplies the Lagerstroemia seedpods, Xyris indica, Leonotis nepetaefolia, bamboo flowers and several species of grass flowers. Chantaburi and Rayong supplies either ferns or palm leaf materials.

After rice harvest, the farmers collect from the wild or grow special varieties for sale to the project at a contract price. The project generates income and more importantly made the farmers realize the importance of forests and wild flora. Now the farmers protect the forests knowing that it can be a stable and continuing source of income in the future.

Contract Growers of Dried Flower Materials

The Dried Flower Project does not only encourage the collection of wild plants and flowers but also promotes the planting of wild seeds and exotic crops like barley, oats, wheat, sorghum, pearl millet, gypsophila, linseed, hydrangea, wild Luffa, rose, yarrow, Mollucella, sesame and various kinds of herbs such as chamomile, coriander, thyme, and rosemary.

Producing these crops in the highlands has supplied additional income to the farmers so much so that they find no need to grow opium poppies and Marijuana crops for a living.