Technologies

Small Irrigation System for Highland Rice Terraces [Thailand]

Checkdam for highland rice terrace

technologies_4114 - Thailand

Completeness: 92%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Srisomkhew Sasirin

662 579 1409 / 669 8269 6410

sasirin0928@gmail.com / sasirin0928@gmail.com

Land Development Department

Paholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10999, Thailand

Thailand

SLM Consultant:

Limtong Pitayakon

66 89 444 6599

pitaya@ldd.go.th / pitaya49@msn.com

Land Development Department

Paholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10999, Thailand

Thailand

land user:

Kayanyaiyie Mr.Vitoon

668 7188 0798

Soil Doctor Volunteer

Moo 5, Ban Don Village, Mae La Noi Sub-district, Huay Hom District, Mae Hong Son Province 58120

Thailand

land user:

Kongvili Mr.Boonpan

668 4740 1550

47 Moo 5, Ban Don Village, Mae La Noi Sub-district, Huay Hom District, Mae Hong Son Province 58120

Thailand

land user:

khangJing Mr.Suchat

668 3660 0272

1/2 Moo 5, Ban Don Village, Mae La Noi Sub-district, Huay Hom District, Mae Hong Son Province 58120

Thailand

land user:

KangJing Mr.Somnuek

668 8764 1683

Village Headman

1 Moo 5, Ban Don Village, Mae La Noi Sub-district, Huay Hom District, Mae Hong Son Province 58120

Thailand

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Land Development Department LDD (Land Development Department LDD) - Thailand

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

11/09/2018

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

Comments:

Water supply systems in the high landscape rice terraces can prevent land degradation and also land users can utilize this area for producing rice in limited agricultural land. Because this system slows down the water flow, it reduces soil erosion into water courses and controls the amount of water that flows from the forest upstream to the rice terraces. This system increases water available to the rice terraces and improves the utilization of water, thus maximizing benefits for growth and yield of rice.

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An irrigation distribution system to highland rice terraces is required for agriculture on these highland slopes. It is based on the principles of water management in the area by diversion of water from natural watersheds upstream to the agricultural land - with regulation by village community consensus.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The topography of this mountainous area, Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, is complex. The height ranges from 994 -1,100 m above sea level (m asl). The main river is Mae La Noi. The climate is cool all year round. The annual average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (⁰C), maximum temperature is 37⁰C in April, and minimum temperature is 8⁰C during December. The annual average rainfall is 1,500 mm and lasts from June to October. The number of households is 147, with total population of approx 763, 400 (Mae La Noi Royal Project Development Center, 2561). An irrigation distribution system to highland rice terraces is required for agriculture on these highland slopes. It is based on the principles of water management in the area by diversion of water from natural watersheds in the upstream areas to the agricultural land - with regulation by village community consensus. The steps of preparation are as follows. 1. Site selection: Rice terraces should be on suitable slopes, not more than 60 degrees, otherwise it will be difficult to excavate the slope and rice fields become very narrow. 2. Reshaping and leveling the slope: The sloping land for rice terrace should be reshaped and levelled by either manpower or mechanical means. The terraces can extend up to 50 m long, be as little as 1 m wide and 0.5 m deep, depending on the slope. The leveling of soil surface in the plot is done by releasing water into that plot and adjust the soil surface until a good level is attained. 3. Soil improvement: Generally, soil structure and fertility in the plots is very low because of reshaping and leveling. It is therefore necessary to restore and improve by application of organic matter, compost, animal manure, legumes, etc. Soil pH must be adjusted, and nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium should be added based on soil analytical results. 4. Rice cultivation: In the first years of cultivation, the terraces may not store water at the desired level, so rice is planted in small holes. Normally, farmers plant rice seedlings (3-5 seedlings per hole) at a spacing of 20 x 20 cm. 5. Fertilizer application: In this highland area focus should be on organic fertilizers to reduce costs, because people can find materials locally such as animal manure and plant residues. 6. Water supply system: Distribution of water to the rice terraces is managed by small dams or weirs to release suitable amount of water through a small water channel to rice terraces. This water distribution system will spread water to all land users in this area, and there is sufficient water for farming throughout the year. 7. Disease and insect control: Most rice varieties are native, so they have high resistance. But there could be some disease/insect outbreaks; they have to be protected according to instructions. The submerged condition in the paddy field can help control weeds, but some labour is still needed. 8. Maintenance: For small dams or weirs, small water channels and terraces, it is necessary to restore and maintain twice a year, i.e. before and after harvest.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Date:

11/09/2018

Location:

Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Name of videographer:

Ms.Sasirin Srisomkhew

Date:

21/03/2018

Location:

Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Date:

11/09/2018

Location:

Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Name of videographer:

Ms.Sasirin Srisomkhew

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Thailand

Region/ State/ Province:

Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • mitigate climate change and its impacts

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Paddy rice and vegetables such as chili, cabbage

Waterways, waterbodies, wetlands

Waterways, waterbodies, wetlands

  • Drainage lines, waterways
Main products/ services:

Small dams or weirs with small water channels to supply/distribute water to rice terraces.

Comments:

Farmers in the area will grow rice in the rainy season for household consumption. The duration of cultivation until harvesting is about 6 months. In the dry season, the farms are converted to several kind of vegetables under support by the Royal Project Foundation.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

The system of water supply of this technology distributes water resources from forest upstream to the rice terrace.

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 3
Specify:

Paddy rice once a year and vegetables 1-2 crops a year

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure
  • water diversion and drainage

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area
Comments:

This water system covered around 200 households, each household covers an area of 0.5 hectare.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces
management measures

management measures

  • M7: Others

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Ms.Sasirin Srisomkhew

Date:

25/09/2018

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The irrigation water distribution system for highland rice terraces by farmers in the village is suitable for highland, sloping agriculture, with slopes ranging from 5-60 degrees. It is based on the principles of water management in the area by diversion of water from natural watersheds in the upstream zone to the agricultural land through the consensus of community members. Distribution of water to the rice terraces is managed by small dams or weir which are used to divert and release suitable amount of water through small water channels to rice terraces. The terraces can extend up to 50m long, 1m (or more) wide and 0.5m deep, depending on the degree of the slope. This water distribution system will spread water to all land users in this area, and there is sufficient water for farming throughout the year.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

0.48 hectare for each farmer

other/ national currency (specify):

Baht (THB)

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

32.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

300

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. prepare small dam and water canal Structural in the first year
2. prepare terraces and land leveling Structural in the first year
3. cultivation Structural before rainny season
4. soil improvement Management after preparing and cultivating the soil
5. rice planting Vegetative rainy season
6. fertilizer application Management after planting
7. irrigation Management after planting
8. disease, pest and weed control Management after planting
9. havesting Agronomic when rice grains are mature
10. None None

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If possible, break down the costs of establishment according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

98100.0

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour prepare dam and canal 7x10 70.0 300.0 21000.0 100.0
Labour planting 7x1 7.0 300.0 2100.0 100.0
Labour maintainance 20x2 40.0 300.0 12000.0 100.0
Labour harvesting 20x7 140.0 300.0 42000.0 100.0
Equipment tractor set 1.0 3000.0 3000.0 100.0
Equipment fuel liter 20.0 30.0 600.0 100.0
Plant material rice seed bag 3.0 100.0 300.0 100.0
Plant material chili seed plant 5000.0 2.0 10000.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fertilizer 21-0-0 bag 3.0 400.0 1200.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fertilizer 15-15-15 bag 3.0 700.0 2100.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fertilizer 16-20-0 bag 3.0 600.0 1800.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides animal manure bag 10.0 200.0 2000.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 98100.0
Comments:

Labour of small and canal preparation was paid in the first year, after that paid for maintain all of these structuer.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. restoration and maintain dam, canal and terrace Structural 2 times a year

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If possible, break down the costs of maintenance according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

1800.0

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour restoring and maintaining the dam, water canal and terraces 2dx3m 6.0 300.0 1800.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1800.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Land user spend their money for 100% of costs

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factors that affect the costs is the labour factor, where farmers need to hire labourers for rice cultivation such as planting, fertilizer application, maintaining the system and harvesting, including, the excavation and restoration of the small dam, water channels and terraces.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1500.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • convex situations

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

on surface

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
  • elderly

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

crop quality

decreased
increased
Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased

drinking water quality

decreased
increased

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased

irrigation water quality

decreased
increased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

health situation

worsened
improved

land use/ water rights

worsened
improved

cultural opportunities

reduced
improved

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased

water quality

decreased
increased

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved

surface runoff

increased
decreased

excess water drainage

reduced
improved

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Soil

soil loss

increased
decreased

soil accumulation

decreased
increased

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased

acidity

increased
reduced
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased

plant diversity

decreased
increased

animal diversity

decreased
increased

beneficial species

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

flood impacts

increased
decreased

drought impacts

increased
decreased

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

impact of greenhouse gases

increased
reduced

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature moderately
seasonal temperature summer not well
annual rainfall well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm moderately
local thunderstorm moderately
local hailstorm moderately
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
forest fire moderately
Biological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases not well at all
insect/ worm infestation not well at all

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • more than 50%
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The villagers are self-reliant by living in balance between demand and supply to meet their own needs. So every household will grow rice for their consumption and solve some problems in water management of these rice terraces by their community.
Villagers have knowledge and technology of water management and systematically and continuously transfer to other land users from generation to generation, causing a connection between kinship and community. There are groups to solve the main problems of the community.
Villagers have a stable and strong mental state with the hard thinking to fight the obstacle in the way of living, to achieve a more prosperous life. Individual communities have strength in self-reliance, and also have strong mind in learning, having virtue and rationality in thinking and decision-making.
They have the ability to promote agriculture with natural resources and ecological tourism and develop the communication system for visitors to access the local information and facilities.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The selection of appropriate technology can solve the problem of soil degradation, reduce soil erosion and manage adequate water supply to agricultural area for the whole year.
The villagers have to rely and trust on each other with high willingness to share their knowledge and experience.
Communities have the ability to use existing natural resources in maximizing benefits, and at the same time they try to conserve and prevent soil degradation in this area.
Community networking allows them to conduct activities to achieve self-reliance.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Land users’ lack of ownership of the land that cannot be legally owned by individuals, as the area is located in a preserved forest. The villagers therefore might be afraid to move out of the area in the future. The community leaders and villagers need to solve this problem, one thing being that they should ask the government to help.
Lack of opportunities for children to have education caused by the poverty of their parents. Schools in the area have increased educational opportunities for poor children by sponsoring underprivileged children.
Lack of social and health welfare because this area is far from the city. Villagers will not be able to reach the hospital in time in the case of emergency. Villagers take the right treatment from the gold card or project 30 baht free treatment of all diseases for emergency situations.
Lack the coverage of energy and communication system in this area. Some areas still lack electricity, telephone and internet facilities. Some villagers purchased and installed solar panels for their own use.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The villagers lack the ownership of the land, which located in the conserved forest. That means they do not have right to hold the land. The government has a policy to solve these problems, and at the same time serve and arrange this preserved forest as natural resource.
Lack of educational opportunities, The study site is located in a remote area. Children living there lack opportunities in education. The government has a policy to give underprivileged children equal education to children.
Villagers lack social and health welfare because of the remoteness of the place that they live. It is difficult to access medical treatment and hospital. The government has set up and supported the budget to develop district health promotion hospitals in the sub-district level.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users
  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts
  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Ecological tourism of Mae La Noi Development Center, Royal Project

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=818zn7JMKsU

Title/ description:

Mae La Noi Royal Project Foundation

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8pFfl18fC8

Title/ description:

Mae La Noi Development Center of Royal Project Foundation

URL:

http://www.mhsdc.org/interest510.htm

Title/ description:

History of Mae La Noi Development Center

URL:

http://www.mhsdc.org/rypmaenoi.htm

Title/ description:

Mae La Noi Project for tourism of beautiful paddy rice terrace

URL:

https://mgronline.com/travel/detail/9590000106920

Title/ description:

Mae La Noi Development Center of Royal Project Foundation

URL:

http://royalprojectthailand.com/maelanoi

Title/ description:

Rice terrace in highland

URL:

http://www.ricethailand.go.th/rkb/management/index.php

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