Reference :
Molle F.; Chompadit C.;
Sopaphun P. 1997. Assessment
of water control at the tertiary and
farm levels : a case study in the
Kamphaengsaen Irrigation
Project, Thailand, DORAS Project,
Research Report n 3, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 58 p.
Authors :
Fran็ois Molle
Chatchom Chompadist
Pongsathorn Sopaphun
Summary :
Many large-scale state run irrigation projects in the world have been
constructed with limited investment regarding on-farm infrastructure. In most cases, it
was expected that some endogenous on-farm management - with costs borne by users - should
take place. In general, insufficient water control is observed with impact on
productivity. Farmers' strategies to offset poor access to water are very varied,
according to site-specific factors such as marker opportunities, capital availability,
social structure, topography and existence of other potential water resources.
This reports presents a case study in the Central Plain of Thailand and
describes the patterns of land development which occurred since the construction of the
Irrigation Project, 25 years ago. It shows how land and water use evolved as both a mover
and a response to land development and who was responsible for new investments : ditch and
tube well digging, regulators in drains have allowed the tapping of secondary resources,
the development of conjunctive use, increased reliability in water supply and crop
diversification.
The magnitude of individual pumping at the farm level is shown and
assessed in economic terms, in order to allow a basic comparison with classical land
development options. Its economic impact is particularly severe on sugarcane : it is shown
how this is responsible for a very low level of water use, distressed yields, and
difficulties in assessing delivery targets for Irrigation officers.
Keywords :
/Thailand/ Chao Phraya/ Mae Klong/ irrigation/ on-farm-development/ water
management/ rice/ sugarcane/ agricultural diversification/ delta/ cropping systems
Contacts :
Mr. Chatchom Chompadist (RID
- DORAS) ) occhom@nontri.ku.ac.th
Dr. Fran็ois Molle (ORSTOM - DORAS) odoras@nontri.ku.ac.th
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