Ethnobotanical Studies on Dwarf Palm (<i>Nannorhops ritchieana</i> (Griff.) Aitchison) and Date Palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.) in Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper is based on research work conducted during 2008-2010 in Dera Ismail Khan (D. I. Khan) District, Pakistan, to investigate Socio-Economic Impacts of Dwarf Palm ( Nannorhops ritchieana ) and Date Palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) on the local inhabitants. A questionnaire for data collection of Dwarf Palm was designed and local people were interviewed. The main Dwarf Palm (Mazri) areas are lying between the Koh-i-Surkh and Marwat hill and yielding about 1000 tons of mazri leaves annually. Date Palm plantations are concentrated in Paniala, Paharpur, Chawdwan and Dhakki. The prominent varieties grown in the area are Dhakki, Shakri, Gulistan, Zaidi, Hillawi, Basra, Azadi and khudarawi. Dhakki Dates are well-known among all other varieties. Total area under dates cultivation in the district is 100,000 hectares, with total production of 11,000 tons dates. An average yield of Dhakki-Dates y -1 ranges from 6500 to 7000 tons i.e., 75% of the total production of dates in the area and dried dates production ranges from 800 - 1000 tons·year -1 . A significant population is involved in processing of mazri and date palm leaves to prepare different products. Dates have a tremendous potential for economic uplift of the people. But growers face limitations and challenges regarding lack of information about customers and markets, harvesting, processing, and packaging techniques and infrastructure for producing good quality fresh dates. Fruit dropping in date palm particularly in Dhakki variety has become a serious concern. More than 70% date fruits drop before maturity. If production and processing constraints are properly handled, this may have significant socio-economic impact on local inhabitants.