Factors Affecting to Farmland Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in Savannakhet Province, Laos People’s Democratic Republic DOI:

Abstract

         The objectives of this research were to study 1) characteristics of basic personal, economic, and social information of farmers and their level of knowledge and understanding of farmers in on-farm water management; 2) factors affecting the success of on-farm water management; and 3) problems, obstacles, and suggestions about factors affecting the success of on-farm water management for sustainable agriculture of The sample group used in the study was 282 farmers which used irrigation water at Ban Wen Tonhaen, in Xayboury District, Savannakhet Province. Qualitative research Target group : 15 people, Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to find percentage, mean, and standard deviation; and inferential statistics, namely multiple regression analysis, to find factors affecting the success of on-farm water management. The study indicates that most of the farmers live at Ban Wen Tonhaen (44.3%), 14.5% were farmers of the Khao Phon Water Users Group, 71.3% were male, with an average age of 49.94 years old, 42.6% had secondary education, 82.3% marital status, an average income  543,000 kip/ month, Agriculture area capacity more than 5,001 square meters 57.4% were no land ownership, 71.6% of the land was inherited by inheritance, 45.7% had been a member of the water user association for 31-40 years, and 53.2% Irrigation Canals cross thought their production land. In terms of the farmer's level of knowledge and understanding of on-farm water management, it revealed that 72.77% had a moderate level since the farmers lack knowledge of the on-farm water management model, academic technical training isn’t thorough; study tours are discontinuous or less. Therefore, the level of knowledge on on-farm water management was not pretty good as expected. Farmers have customary practices for on-farm water management which may be practiced from generation to generation, thus affecting the current level of knowledge. While analyzing the factors affecting the success of on-farm water management, it showed that there were three factors: income, farmers’ knowledge and understanding of on-farm water management of rice cultivation, and the water management model of rice cultivation. In terms of Issues and obstacles, it results that farmers had the most problems with officials and on-farm water management. The farmers suggested that officials should prioritize on-farm water management. Whether it is planning, implementation, inspection, and evaluation, the establishment of regulations between officials and water user groups for participation, acceptance and compliance because it is a brainstorming rule for water management. Farmers within the group should have a discussion and exchange ideas on fair water allocation with leaders of water user groups taking part as main participants in the meeting. It should be clear in pointing out issues including listening to the problems of farmers who use water.