Mango Leather Development in Kiensvay District, Kandal Province by Adaptation of Traditional Techniques

Abstract

Kiensvay district, Kandal province is a popular place for mango leather processed in Cambodia where plenty of mango trees are grown. However, due to lack of skill and technical knowledge of the people, the product has failed to make economic impact on their livelihoods due to poor product quality that does not meet market standards. Poor sanitation and lack of technical information are mainly responsible for this situation. This study was conducted among producers and farmers in the selected area with the objective to gain an understanding of the technical processing methods and to analyse the economic viability of this product. 55 people in these districts were interviewed with semi-open questionnaire: details of each family’s technical method for mango leather processing were collected. The initial results were used to identify various techniques used by farmers in the processing method. Then, yes/no questionnaire was applied to 20 people in order to deeply understand the process. After this, the technical processes used by farmers were categorised. Experiments were carried out on farmers techniques and tested in controlled laboratory conditions of Graduate School of Royal University of Agriculture. The results of this research will provide an insight into the best processing technique that may be used for commercial development with the aim of improving the income and livelihoods of the inhabitants.