2021: The Development of S&T for Sustainable Community Water Resource Management following His Majesty the King’s Initiative

06/02/2024

From the water challenge situation in Thailand, HII has focused on creating and transferring knowledge on science and technology in water resources management that aimed to prepare severe climate change, including to develop the good practices of community water resources management according to 20-year HII’s framework (2017-2036).

The advantage of this project has been linked to the important action following His Majesty the King’s Initiative, i.e., managed water resources at country, local and community levels, supported self-managed water to communities, increased water capital for consumption and agriculture, planned cultivation for increasing productivity and income, solved poverty problem, accessed good resources, and reduced social inequality.

The objective of this project was to transfer and expand science and technology’s outcomes, develop local people and community to create water information, water map and spatial water source information, support implementation activity, manage and plan water source development in own area appropriately. These led to security of water, food, community economy and energy.

The implementation of science and technology adaptation for water resource management was expanded by 60 core communities in 19 watershed areas and 1,816 villages that led to 1,471 households in 6.728 sq.km. for the new-theory agriculture, 3 forests and 4 benefits covering forest area 2,176 sq.km., decrease average expenses to 7 million Baht/year, increase average income to 28 million Baht/year, increase productivity in dry season for 3,887 million Baht, alleviate flood and drought for 6,112 sq.km., and help the government saving compensation cost over 7,551 million Baht.

Non Tae Community, Nong Kham Sub-district, Khon Sawan District, Chaiyaphum Province

Good practice of science and technology application for linking water resource management systems.

Non Tae Community is located in Nong Kham Sub-district, Khon Sawan District, Chaiyaphum Province, in Chi river basin. The main canal flowing through the community are Kam Canal, Saeng Canal, and Yang Wai Canal. Covering 4.8 sq.km. of total area, population of 360 households, agricultural area is 4 sq.km., and most farmers are rice farmers. In 1992, the community shifted to sugarcane cultivation, resulting in losses due to flooding and drought.

In 2011, Non Tae Community participated in a community water management project to address the drought and flood issues in rain-fed areas. With sustainable 84 communities, they managed community water resources following H.M. the King’s initiative, analyzed systematical water source linkage, dredged canal around Saeng Swamp for boundary control, expanded water storage and boundary over 392,000 sq.m., and developed the integrated new-theory agriculture for alleviating flood from tropical storm Dianmu. Furthermore, the Royal Irrigation Department has continuously expanded the outcome to be the community water resource management model, and the community in rain-fed area that strengthened collaboration networks among communities, public sector and private sector. This achievement has led to sustainable community water resource management system.

Implementation example

• Water management by “Water circulation system”

The community operated water reuse system by “Kha Kae” (community wisdom: water linkage tool) in the integrated new-theory agriculture covering 96,000 sq.m. Currently, there are 80 household members. The process begins with using solar cells to pump water through a pipeline into elevated tanks. There is no Float Switch installation to stop pumping when the tank is full. Overflow water from a tank is directed through pipes to water channel surrounding the agricultural plots. The remaining water from diversion to agricultural plot and fish pond, flows back to Saeng Swamp that benefits circulating water in agricultural system and water reuse. The outcome is to save fuel cost and energy from water pumping.

  •  Land adjustment “One Paddy, One Forest”

Land adjustment “One Paddy, One Forest” is to integrate forests into the rice fields. Covering a total of 12,800 sq.m. which divided into 5 parts: 6,400 sq.m. of rice field, 800 sq.m. of resident and animal farm, 1,600 sq.m. of pond, 1,600 sq.m. of One Forest, and 2,400 sq.m. of the new-theory agriculture. The productivity in the plots such as various tree species and forest products, are consumed in households and sold to the community for year-round income. Currently, this good practice has expanded to 10 households alongside 36 households of the new-theory agriculture.

  •  Water situation monitoring “Think Macro, Act Micro”

The community participated in water situation monitoring through a line group of community water network. Aimed to plan collecting rainfall data from August to November every year, coordinate with relevant agencies, analyze water situation data for planning more efficient and timely water collection and before water levels decrease, able to pump water from Chi river to refill Kam Canal, and storage water to distribute into agricultural areas. Currently, water situation monitoring network members are covering 11 villages in Nong Kham Sub-district.

Achievement summary

•  Establishing new-theory agriculture group in Nong Kham Sub-district for 36 people (2014-2020), generated income 1.84 million Baht/year, reduced expenses 0.57 million Baht/year, and increased income 3,458,000 Baht during the dry season (January to April) through water management, water situation analysis, and crop planning.

•  Water source management by pipe installation for water capital collection in the area to reduce water pumping costs. Previously, full rice cultivation on 33,600 sq.m. required pumping water from Kam Canal without storage. Subsequently, reduced rice cultivation areas to alleviate water shortage and divert water from Kam Canal into the Royal Pond. This benefits to save pumping costs to 7,200 Baht/year.

•  Restoring public pond and developing water management structure by dredging public pond boundaries in a total area 0.04 sq.km., increasing water storage 37,800 cubic meters, beneficiary 154 households (1,326 people), and agricultural areas 0.96 sq.km., the integrated new-theory agriculture 0.096 sq.km., and 80 household members.

•  Linking waterways and natural water sources by systematically digging old water channels to link water from Chi River – Saeng Canal – Noi Canal – Nam Khun Swamp – Saeng Swamp – Kam Canal, including installing water gate to control water level, storing water for consumption and agriculture. A total water capacity of over 13.21 MCM., supporting agricultural areas 4 sq.km., and water security 360 households.

•  Community water situation monitoring supported pumping water from Chi River into Kam Canal (8,000 meters) before water levels decrease, resulting in water storage 2.85 MCM., agriculture area 4 sq.km., beneficiary 332 households, and 1,472 population.