Application of Indigenous Wisdom to Agricultural Water Management of Upper Drainage Moon River Communities (Lumnammoon) in Nakhonratchasima Province

Abstract

This research consisted of 3 objectives. They were to 1) study indigenous wisdom to agriculturalwater management of upper drainage Moon river communities, 2) manage water for supporting agriculture of upper drainage Moon river communities (Lumnammoon) in Nakhonratchasima Province, and apply indigenous wisdom to agriculturalwater management of upper drainage Moon river communities in Nakhonratchasima Province. This was both a documentary and a field trip research from 12 communities. The target consisted of 3 groups. They were a knowledge a group, a practice group and a general group from 3 areas: upstream (Khonburi district), midstream (Chalermprakirt district), and downstream (Muangyang district) of upper drainage Moon river in Nakhonratchasima province. Data were collected from participatory observation and non-participatory observation, interview, and focus group conversation from 87 samples.

The results were found as follows:

The water management for supporting agriculture of upper drainage Moon river communities ( Lumnammoon) in Nakhonratchasima province was based on knowledge, belief, culture, discipline, prohibition, methods, ability, and a variety of tools which might be a private or community product. They were water wheel, irrigation system, soil dam, canal, and Saikai canal. There were both similarity and difference for using the original and modern indigenous wisdom. The upstream area was based on only the irrigation system causing absence of the original wisdom. The midstream area was based on the electric water pump. The downstream area was based on pond, and water pump.

The application of indigenous wisdom to agricultural water management of upper drainage Moon river communities in Nakhonratchasima Province consisted of 4 types: farming, fishing, animal raise, and horticulture. It was found that the main area of agriculture was upstream area with the irrigation system. There was an application of electric water pump at the midstream area. The downstream area was based on both the original and modern wisdom such as pumping water from the canal, and bringing water to the farm. So, the water management should share visions, have a strategic plan of integrated water resources management focusing on forest, soil, and water conservation, agricultural system improvement, using appropriately indigenous wisdom tools, having stable careers, and having lasting income of agriculturists of upper drainage Moon river communities (Lumnarnmoon) in Nakhonratchasima Province