Strengthening of youths to promote local water management with Geo-informatics technology in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of Khlong Suan Mak Basin, Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) develop and evaluate the development of youth groups to transfer knowledge on local water management by Geo-informatics technology in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of Khlong Suan Mak Basin, Kamphaeng Phet Province, and (2) create activities and assess the results of knowledge transfer of youths to other target groups. The methodology in this research consisted of, youth development, creating activities to increase knowledge, satisfaction evaluation of youth groups, and creating knowledge transfer activities and evaluation. The results of the study revealed that 186 youths from 7 schools were able to develop, 49 upstream youths, 76 midstream youths, and 61 downstream youths. The water management in 5 learning topics, comprising (1) water management and local water management, (2) upstream, midstream and downstream water management, (3) Khlong Suan Mak basin management, (4) Geo-informatics technology in water management, and (5) using Geo-informatics technology to support local water management. As a result of the development, it indicated that the youths obtained more knowledge. Furthermore, they were satisfied with their participation in the project at a high level (  = 4.48/5.00, S.D. = 0.64). In respect of the knowledge transfer to other target groups for learning outcomes expansion, it found that the youths were able to transfer knowledge to local people through a lecture-giving method with a proportion of 1: 10, totaling 1,860 people. The evaluation of knowledge transfer in 7 topics included (1) principles of water management, (2) local water management, (3) upstream water management, (4) midstream water management, (5) downstream water management, (6) Geo-informatics technology, and (7) Using Geo-informatics technology to support water management, the result showed that all satisfaction of participants was at high levels in all aspects. In addition, the principle of water management satisfaction was at the highest level ( = 4.28/5.00,  S.D.= 0.69), and the overall of youth network competency was at very good level ( = 8.32/10.00,  S.D.= 1.17).