Studies on production and collection aspects of Mahua (Madhuca latifolia) in Jharkhand

Abstract

Present experiment was conducted on the production and collection aspects of Mahua produce in nine villages of Ranchi, Jharkhand. These villages are situated near by the forest and their livelihood depends upon the collection of NTFP produces from the forest. The study area was surveyed through household survey with the help of predesigned questionnaire using simple random sampling technique with 15% sampling intensity, taking the household as sampling unit. The total number of family found in the study areas are 2868, while the total number of Mahua tree found in the study area was 956. The average one way distance travelled for Mahua flower collection by the villagers of Urghuttu market varied from 0.2km to 3km, by the villagers of Ormanjhi market is from 0.2km to 2.5km and by the villagers of Mandar market is varies from 0.1km to 2.0km. The average time spent to collect Mahua flower by the villagers of Urghuttu market area is more in comparison to other two areas. The time spent on per day basis to collect Mahua seed/fruits by the villagers residing in vicinity of three market areas indicated variation from village to village i.e. 1 - 2 hr. The average quantity of flowers and seeds collected by the villagers of Urghuttu market is from 75- 90 kg/tree and 10-15 kg/tree respectively. The average quantity of flowers and seeds collected by the villagers varied from 70-85 kg/tree and 10-15 kg/tree respectively. The total quantity of flowers and seeds collected in a season by the villagers varied from 178.50-238.50qtl. and 23.80-39.75qtl. respectively. The sale price of Mahua flower varied from Rs. 15.00-22.00 and Rs. 10.00-15.00 for seeds. The revenue generated by the sale of flowers varied from Rs. 2124.00 - 2718.00 by the villagers of the study area.