Water Management, Land Development and Economic
Diversification in Southeast-Asian Deltas

(funded by the European Union / INCO-DC programme)

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TOPIC 1
Institutional Framework, Policies and Irrigation Management

• Red River Delta

1. Decollectivisation and the the new Institutional chain from the Hydraulic Company to the farmer,

2. Definition of duties and power at the different levels of the water chain;

3. Water fee definition and allocation ;

4. Social organisation patterns around pumping units.
   

• Mekong Delta

1. Relationships between farmers and small entrepreneurs offering services for pumping and land preparation

2. Impact of agricultural policies : the "new co-operatives" policy
   

• Chao Phraya Delta

1. Characterise social arrangements for water management, conflict-solving, and their impact on agricultural efficiency

2. Analyse experiences of Water User Groups and the reasons of their ineffectiveness

3. Perspective from the social sciences for proposals of turnover and water-fee establishment

Contacts : 
Dr. Savakon Sudsawasd (KU)  fsocsws@nontri.ku.ac.th
Nittaya Ngernprasertsri (KU)
Dr. Fran็ois Molle (IRD)  odoras@ku.ac.th

TOPIC 2
The "Water Chain"

• Red River Delta

1. Characterisation of the irrigation/drainage demand at the pumping unit level and at the secondary level in the Bac Hung Hai polder (200.000 ha) ; analysis of the impact of the uncoordinated spread of pumping units on the water regime,

2. Modelling of the polder, associating hydraulics and management issues; definition of management rules taking into account local strategies and overall optimisation;

3. Radar Imagery for flood extension (rainy season) and winter cropping patterns.
   

• Mekong Delta

1. Dynamics and patterns of water-use in the dry season vs. water availability and salt water intrusion (macro approach)

2. Case studies on irrigation practices and efficiency in the dry-season (north of the delta)
   

• Chao Phraya Delta

1. Water allocation in the dry-season : theory vs. real practices, physical constraints;

2. Impact on, and responsiveness of, farming systems to water allocation in the dry season

3. Improvements : conjunctive use, cropping calendar shifting and management efficiency.

Contacts : 
Dr. Fran็ois Molle (IRD)  odoras@ku.ac.th
Dr Jesda Keawkulaya (KU) fengjsk@nontri.ku.ac.th
Mr. Chatchom Chompadist (RID/Doras)  occhom@nontri.ku.ac.th
Dr. Thippawan Srijantr (KU/Doras)  agrtws@nontri.ku.ac.th
Chaiwat Prechawit (RID)  chaiwatp@ksc.th.com
Wirat Khao-uppatum (RID)

TOPIC 3
Change in Land Use patterns : 
diversification in poldered raised bed systems

• Red River Delta

1. Technique and cost of Land Development;

2. Profitability and marketing channels;

3. Strategies for diversification
   

• Mekong Delta

1. Techniques of raised beds systems and land development

2. Water Management in two areas with mixed fish/orchards systems

3. Economic Profitability
   

• Chao Phraya Delta

1. Water management in raised bed areas under tidal influence

2. Water Quality (regional and plot level) ; pesticide overuse ; nitrogen cycling

3. Typology of Land development techniques

Contacts : 
Dr. Roongnapa Korparditskul (KU)  rdirnk@nontri.ku.ac.th
Dr. Pongsan (KU)  agrpos@nontri.ku.ac.th
Dr. Fran็ois Molle (IRD)  odoras@ku.ac.th 
Dr. Roland Poss (IRD/DLD)  poss@ksc15.th.com
Mrs. Blandine Cheyroux  blandinecheyroux@hotmail.com

Partners

• Red River Delta

VASI, Hanoi
GRET, Hanoi
Universit้ de Louvain (Belgium)
IRD (ex-ORSTOM) (France)

• Mekong Delta

Cantho University
Hohenheim University (Germany)
IRD (ex-ORSTOM) (France)

• Chao Phraya delta

Kasetsart University (Thailand)
IRD (ex-ORSTOM) (France)

Funding

European Community INCO-DC fund

Project. Duration

3 years (February 1998 - March 2001)

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