Getting to know "Egg Rotten Pumpkin of Nan" Nan's local treasure that farmers have jointly developed into a variety of income-generating dishes, creating new opportunities for the community.
When it comes to "pumpkin" many people are familiar with its appetizing yellow color. However, when it comes to "Egg Rotten Pumpkin of Nan" the pumpkin has flesh that is yellow mixed with olive green. Its appearance differs from regular pumpkins, but it offers a sweet, creamy taste with firm flesh and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. This is the charm of Egg Rotten Pumpkin of Nan, a local plant from Nan province that today is not only delicious but also becoming a new opportunity for farmers in the community. Fresh pumpkins from the fields are creatively transformed into various products including mooncakes, cookies, cakes, crackers, pumpkin seed oil, and pumpkin powder, providing more choices for consumers and generating income for locals.
Behind this growth is the collaborative effort of the Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise of Bua Yai Subdistrict, Nan Noi District, Nan Province, led by Thikhamphon Kongsorn, known as "Mae Kamnan," and 182 members. They recognize the value of local plants and aim to preserve them for future generations while developing them into a serious income-generating profession. This includes seed selection, preparing planting areas, caring for soil and water sources, and organic farming methods to ensure high-quality pumpkins with consistent market supply.
At the same time, they emphasize preserving the identity of the local pumpkin. The "Central Do" project has supported the community and related agencies so that the "Egg Rotten Nan 1" and "Egg Rotten Nan 2" pumpkin varieties were officially registered as indigenous local plant varieties on 25 Sep 2026 GMT+7, with the Bua Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organization holding the plant variety rights. Efforts continue to register a Geographical Indication (GI) to certify the uniqueness of the Egg Rotten Pumpkin of Nan, enhancing recognition of local agricultural products.
Another interesting aspect is that the community ensures no pumpkin goes to waste. The group purchases all members' produce, even small or misshapen pumpkins that do not meet fresh market standards, which are then processed into various products. The pumpkin peel and pulp are used as supplemental feed for laying hens. This efficient use helps reduce waste and maximizes benefits from every part of the harvest. This approach is supported by Central Do through establishing an organic pumpkin learning center, constructing sorting and processing facilities, developing water sources with the Hydro Informatics Institute (Public Organization), and promoting green spaces to prepare farmers for better production and processing.
Beyond community development, reaching consumers is also vital. Central Do connects markets through partners including TOPS, Jingjai Farmers' Market, and Good Goods, supporting booths at Jingjai Mahanakhon and Sangkhom Sookjai events. This allows Egg Rotten Pumpkin products to reach new consumer groups, resulting in community enterprise revenue exceeding 1.41 million baht in 2026 (data as of September).
Thus, from a local plant unfamiliar to many, Egg Rotten Pumpkin of Nan is growing into a product that generates income for the community. This shows that when farmers value local resources and receive proper support, their crops can be developed into various products, bringing income back to the community and preserving Nan's indigenous plant varieties as treasured heritage for future generations.