Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

tamarinds. In Thailand and the Philippines, farmers are growing the sweet
types on a limited plantation scale. Selections have been made from among
the natural stands growing in those countries. In Thailand, more than 50
sweet tamarind cultivars are grown, while in the Philippines, eight selected
cultivars are popular among the farmers. These sweet types have created a
resurgence of interest in many countries of the Southeast Asian region and
encouraged researchers to undertake studies on tamarind.
The impact of this has been less spectacular in the South Asian countries and
India, the largest producers and exporters of tamarind, who continue to grow
sour types. Some farmers in Tamil Nadu grow selected superior cultivars
which are known to be heavy bearers but the availability of grafted plants is
limited to only a few cultivars and in a few locations. Only three improved
cultivars are available in India, all of which are the sour types, although a
number of selected lines are under development.
Continued attention to the genetic improvement of planting materials is
essential for further commercial exploitation. Recent research on Rhizobia,
mycorrhizae and the early growth of trees can be applied to the
establishment of medium-scale plantations provided that suitable planting
materials are produced through vegetative propagation and that such
materials are readily available. A large number of constraints are apparent in
achieving these goals, but the technology exists to overcome them as
outlined in this monograph.
Where no priority research agenda exists at the different national levels, the
value of international organisations becoming involved with efforts to
improve tamarind and to develop sustainable cultivars and use is all the more
apparent. International organisations can stimulate the exchange of
germplasm, promote the development of planting supply systems and
support research and development by making technologies widely available.
The approach taken by ICRAF in Africa to collect, characterise and make
available germplasm of tamarind, particularly for use in agroforestry
systems, has made a positive impact in a very short time in a number of
countries. ICUC continues to be a vehicle promoting better utilisation of
neglected species such as tamarind and, as this monograph shows, is able to
put researchers in one country in touch with others with similar interests
elsewhere.
It will also be very clear from this monograph that much produce can be
wasted due to the lack of organisation at the village level for harvesting,
transporting produce and marketing. Very few data are available on
marketing. Nonetheless training in aspects of production and marketing
pioneered by Kasetsart University in Thailand in relation to small orchard
production of sweet tamarind led rapidly to smallholders becoming involved
in business planning. Such efforts need to be replicated so that ultimately
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