Farmers Participation in Water Resource Management in Main Rice Planting Area of Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

     This research was aimed to study the demography, using water to grow rice and the participation in water resource management of farmers in the main rice planting area and used Qualitative research methodologies were used defined 392 samples. Instruments used in the study were questionnaires and data analysis using descriptive statistics. Weighted average be used to study the participation in water resource management of farmers and used rating scale by defined 5 level of weight follow Likert method. In-depth content analysis.
      In the studied of farmer demographic found most of them were male, had experience in water resources management in rice growing during 21-30 years and had income from rice growing 50,000 baht per year. There had areas for rice growing less than 4 rai in the irrigation area which were water allocation follow duty cycle in to the rice growing areas thoroughly passing water dam entering to marshes in the area of farmers be kept for rice growing 2 times per year.
     When studying the participation of farmers in each point were found that, In terms of thinking participation, the farmers had highest level of participation was Mae Ai District. With the highest level of participation in giving ideas or information through various channels. In terms of making plans participation, the farmers had high level of participation was Fang District. The farmers had high level of planning plantings and require the water for farming activities in the community. In terms of working participation, the farmers had high level of participation was Fang District. With the most participation in being a committee or working group and working together on water management in the area. In terms of monitoring and evaluation participation, the farmers had highest level of participation was Mae Ai District. By the farmers had the highest level participating in the surveillance to prevent the smuggling of water ahead of schedule or blocking the waterway. In terms of getting benefit participation, the farmers had high level of participation was Fang District. By the farmers had highest level in a feeling ownership of water resources in the area.
     By the participating that resulting to water resources management for rice growing successful, farmers must thinking participation in costs of water resources, area survey,  amount of times in rice growing and planning participation in using water and making participation in allocate water follow plan, and caring after allocate water must be assessment  participation in using water and problems that need to be resolved that will made the farmer getting benefit in using water for rice growing effectively.