Reference :

Kasetsart University, ORSTOM,
1996. Identification of agricultural and irrigation patterns in the Central Plain of Thailand : prospects for agricultural research and development, 220 p., DORAS Project, Bangkok

Summary :

A macro-approach of the Central Plain
The main objectives of the identification survey of the Central Plain carried out by the DORAS team were :

• to assess the overall diversity of situations and to identify the main contrasts, especially regarding cropping systems and water control conditions

• to identify the main problems and dynamics and to establish an initial grading of their main determinants

• to provide guidance for the choice of representative areas for the detailed research, surveys and monitoring of the second phase of the Project

• to involve researchers from different disciplines in a participative and interdisciplinary approach of the region

• to set up an extensive documentation about the Central Plain, including books, papers, thesis, statistics, data base and a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Many statistical data have been collected from various government offices (NSO, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior, RID,..), corrected, processed and mapped. Preliminary maps, statistical analysis and book analysis were presented and discussed during weekly meetings of the Doras team in Kamphaengsen campus.

From November 1994 up to the end of 1995, fields surveys and visits to different administrations, including 45 RID's Projects, have been carried out. Interviews with farmers and with officers of the Agricultural Extension Department helped characterizing the cropping patterns and checking the limits of the main cropping pattern areas. Additional field trips have helped checking the land use classification derived from the satellite images and specifying some particular cropping patterns. The findings of the first step have been presented in the report : "Agricultural and Irrigation Patterns in the Central Plain of Thailand : preliminary analysis and prospects for agricultural research and development ". This report is an identification report and not a synthesis of agricultural dynamics in the Central Plain. It gathers extensive information about :

• The physical and historical background of the Central Plain

• Population features; the distribution and evolution of the total and rural populations, together with migration flows

• The cropping systems in Central Plain. Several maps enhance the diversity in rice-growing, giving details on the levels of intensification (average yields, varieties, number of crops per year) and in diversification areas (animal husbandry, vegetables, etc.).

• The dynamics of agriculture towards an increasingly diversified production, with an historical perspective, description of policies and examples of recent changes.

• The patterns of land development, water use, water control and water management, with details about the evolutions in the last few decades and current bottlenecks.

• The farm characteristics, including detailed information and mapping of data concerning land tenure, pluri-activity, farm-equipment, use of input, local constraints to development, etc. In conclusion, this information is succinctly synthesized to derive some main priorities for research and development.
  

Participants of DORAS Project in the study (by alphabetical order):

Mr. Kanapol Jupamanee, K.U / Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Roongnapa Korparditskul, K.U / Environmental Science Laboratory
Mr. Ekassit Kositsakulchai, K.U / Department of Irrigation Engineering
Mr. Bruno Launay, ORSTOM / Junior assistant, Laboratory for Rural Studies
Dr. Eric Mollard, ORSTOM / Laboratory for Rural Studies
Dr. Fran็ois Molle, ORSTOM / Laboratory for Rural Studies
Mrs. Chatcharee Naritoom, K.U / Extension and Training Office
Mrs. Nittaya Ngernprasertsri, K.U / Dept. of Political Science and Public Administration
Mrs. Atinut Saejiew, K.U / Soil and Fertilizer Testing and Applied Research Laboratory
Dr. Pongsatorn Sopaphun, K.U / Department of Irrigation Engineering
Dr. Pongpan Trimongkolkul, K.U / Department of Vocational Education
Mr. Audthasit Wongmaneeroj, K.U / Department of Soil Science

Keywords :

Thailand/ irrigation/ water management/ flood/ rice/ agricultural diversification/ delta/ Chao Phraya/ cropping systems/ farming systems/ zoning/ GIS/ remote sensing/ innovation/ migration/ intensification/

Contacts :

odoras@nontri.ku.ac.th