Applying Watermelon Rinds to Increase the Marketing Value of Watermelon Growers in the Community of Baan Khokmuang, Chorakhemak Sub-district, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province. Applying Watermelon Rinds to Increase the Marketing Value of Watermelon Growers in the Community of Baan Khokmuang, Chorakhemak Sub-district, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province.

Abstract

This research was for a local purpose aimed at studying watermelon planting data of Baan Khokmuang, study the applying process of watermelon rinds to increase the marketing value and applying watermelon rinds to increase the marketing value of watermelon growers of Baan Khokmuang, Chorakhemak Sub-district, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province. Data collected from 30 people of non-toxic watermelon growers of Baan Khokmuang, Chorakhemak Sub-District, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province. The tools used to collect data were interviews, group discussions, and observation and analysis of data by triangulation technique. The findings were as follows: 1) The study of watermelon planting data of Baan Khokmuang watermelon growers found that: 1.1) Baan Khokmuang had watermelon plantation of 301.27 farms, divided to their own lands of 44 farms and renting lands of 257.27 farms with a rental of 110,735 baht. The total cost of cultivation was 836,655 Baht consisted of the raw material cost of 252,680 Baht, the labor cost of 144,805 Baht and the cost of 439,170 Baht and sales revenue of watermelon total 1,541,710 baht. 1.2) The problems of watermelon planting included soil problems, Pest problems that are interfering with the growth of watermelons, the problem of water that used to water the watermelons, fertilizer problem and problems with the cost of planting watermelons and 1.3) The problem of watermelon distribution can be divided into 5 aspects including watermelon distribution, the marketing of watermelon, the price, the place for sale and the duration of planting. 2) The study of the applying of watermelon rinds to increase market value showed that: 1) Watermelon growers had applied the watermelon rinds to increase marketing value as follows: 1.1) Providing watermelon from the group members to be processed by processing that would provide the expert to transfer the knowledge about processing process to the group members.1.2) Coordinating experts who specialized in processing melon jam to educate the members. 1.3) Group members prepared the place and watermelons for processing and 1.4) Processing of watermelon jam products 2) Watermelon jam mixture comprising 2.1) 1 cup of chopped watermelon rinds (white) 2.2) 2 cups of finely spun watermelon rinds 2.3) 0.5 cup of sugar 2.4)
1 cup of water 2.5) 1 teaspoon of salt 2.6) 1 teaspoon of gelatin and 2.7) 4 teaspoons of lemon juice and 3) the procedures of making watermelon jam products were as follows: 3.1) Boil the watermelon rinds and then scoop out and set aside to drain. 3.2) Mix the watermelon rinds with water, sugar, salt, gelatin and stir well and bring to medium heat until the mixture was cooked. Then add the lemon juice and mix well and 3.3) Put the mixture into prepared container packing cover tightly. and 3) Applying of value-added marketing watermelon rind of watermelon growers Baan Khokmuang was found that members of the group have introduced watermelon jam products for the watermelon festival of Baan Khokmuang by processing the 2nd time of watermelon jam with 50 bottles. The label, stickers, and new packaging had been redesigned by a team of researchers who specialized in product design. The logo came from the co-inventors of the group. After that, the team of researchers and community had introduced the products of watermelon jam at the sweet watermelon festival. From the distribution watermelon jam products to group members who could sell watermelon jam at 1,500 baht. The research team had provided the money to the group members to start the operation.