Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Demonstration Project Series No. 1

Final report of the first batch project in Thailand

Mekong River Commission

Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Final report of the first batch project in Thailand Published by

The Mekong River Commission, Vientiane, Lao PDR, October 2014

Specific project title

Local demonstration site for climate change adaptation of the agricultural-based sector in the Young River Basin, Thailand (2011-2013)

Authors: Prasit Warnset and Yanyong Inmuong

Editors: Barbara Hall and Sopheak Meas

Cite this document as

MRC. (2014). CCAI local demonstration projects on climate change: Final report of the first batch project in Thailand Demonstration Project Series No. 1. Vientiane: Author.

Disclaimer

This report was prepared by the Thai National Demonstration Project Team on behalf of the Mekong River Commission.

Although all effort is made to ensure that the information, opinions and analyses contained in this document are based on sources believed to be reliable, no representation, expressed or implied, is made guaranteeing accuracy, completeness or correctness.

The opinions contained herein reflect the judgment of the authors and are subject to change without notice. The views and opinions of authors expressed do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Mekong River Commission, its agents or the Member Countries.

Neither the Mekong River Commission, nor the Member Countries and any agency thereof, their employees, contractors, subcontractors or their employees, assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the consequences of any third party’s use of the information, opinions and analysis contained in this report.

Graphic design by: Annoulak Phannavanh

© Mekong River Commission 184 Fa Ngoum Road, Unit 18, Ban Sithane Neua, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR Telephone: (856-21) 263 263 Facsimile: (856-21) 263 264 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mrcmekong.org

Seven Development Partners, including Australia, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Germany, Luxemburg, and Sweden, provide financial support to the work of the Mekong River Commission’s Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative. This particular project and its publication would not have been possible without their kind support to which we owe our gratitude.

ISBN: 978-9932-412-10-5 CONTENTS

Figures iii Acronyms and Abbreviations v Acknowledgements vii Executive Summary ix

1. Background 1

2. Objectives 5

3. Methodology 7

4. Activities 15

5. Results 17

6. Conclusions 27

7. Recommendations and lessons learnt 29

References 35 Annex 1: Fieldwork study and information management system inventory results 37

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand i ii Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation FIGURES

Figure 1: Lower Mekong river basins in northeast Thailan 1 Figure 2: The Chi River basin and its tributaries 2 Figure 3: Design and implementation steps of the Thai demonstration project 8 Figure 4: The first project stakeholder meeting 9 Figure 5: The demonstration project sites 9 Figure 6: Fieldwork guide for use by the project researchers, community members and interested stakeholders 12 Figure 7: Signing of the memorandum of understanding between six partners 33

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand iii iv Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS

CCAI Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative Chi RBO Chi River Basin Organization CVCA Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis DWR Thailand Department of Water Resources FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GCM Global circulation model GIS Geographic Information System MRCS Mekong River Commission Secretariat NESDB National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand PRCA Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal RMUTI Rajamangala University of Technology Isan SWAT Soil and Water Assessment Tool TNMC Thai National Mekong Committee WRRO 4 Water Resource Regional Office 4 Khon Kaen

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand v vi Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Chi River Basin Organisation (Chi RBO) would like to express its gratitude to the MRCS for their technical and financial support to the Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) local demonstration project team of Thailand, guiding and supervising our team, and participating in various meetings during the project planning and plan of activities as well as field visits.

Our extended gratitude also goes to the Thai National Mekong Committee (TNMC) and the Thailand Department of Water Resources for their continued support and advice given to the demonstration project team. The TNMC has devoted great effort in providing the necessary administrative services to the project.

The team would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to Khon Kaen Governor, serving as the Chi RBO Chairperson, and the Governors of Kalasin and Roi-Et Provinces for their valuable support, cooperation and assistance. Without them, we would not have been able to accomplish our field work.

We also owe immense gratitude to the President of Sai Na Wang Sub-District Administrative Organization and the President of Wang Luang Municipality who allocated their resources and personnel to implement the fieldwork and assisted us in establishing the Community CCA Learning Centre.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the community leaders, climate champions and leaders of youth groups and school children for their cooperation and support in assisting us in completing all the field work activities.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand vii viii Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The northeast of Thailand is considered one community-based climate change adaptation of the areas that is hardest hit by climate options and strategies for policy development impact, with severe drought and flood and decision-making. increases over the years. The Thai National Mekong Committee (TNMC) and the Thailand From a document review and interviews with Department of Water Resources (DWR) of the the authorities, it emerged that, currently, at Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the national level, within the policy/strategy with technical support from the Mekong River framework on climate change in Thailand, Commission Secretariat (MRCS), assigned the there are no specific references to adaptation Chi River Basin Organization (Chi RBO) with the for rural farmers in drought-prone areas, which responsibility of implementing a CCAI local is the main object of this project. At the lower demonstration project in Thailand, batch 1. tiers – provincial and local governments – there The Chi RBO selected the Young River Basin as is no evidence of climate change adaptation the site for carrying out a joint detailed climate plan and activities within their policy and vulnerability and adaptation study with two planning framework. The fieldwork’s results selected communities, Sai Na Wang and Wang in the Young River Basin further indicate that Luang. water for both agriculture and household use is the resource that is the most vulnerable to the The overall goal of the Thai demonstration impact of climate change. A small farm with a project is to initiate activities for the following: land area of less than 1.6 ha is most vulnerable a climate change impact assessment; an because of its monocropping. Farmers who adaptation and capacity-building plan for have best adapted to climate impacts are stakeholders and target communities; and those who transformed their farmlands into support to a community adaptation plan the integrated farming system and used native for integration into the local and central seed varieties as well as appropriate on-farm governments’ planning system. irrigation system. The project team successfully developed the GIS, the climate model, the The specific objectives of the project are to: (i) hydrological model, FAO’s CropWat model and review national, provincial and local CCA policy the telemetering early warning system. This and strategy; (ii) explore lessons learned from information management system is installed the villagers’ coping strategies and agricultural at four local government offices, remotely adaptation practices to respond to climate connected to the telemetering via the Internet, change impacts; (iii) innovate and test the to serve as a tool to support the development adopted climate information management of climate change adaptation policy and system to detect changes of climate and plan development processes. The climate to serve as a tool for policy and planning change adaptation information produced processes; and (iv) produce an evidence- by the project as well as the policy advocacy based policy brief and a case study report on messages are delivered to the provincial and

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand ix local governments, some of which later make Sugar Mill Group. The MoU was signed and further reviews of their policy and planning witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Kalasin documents in order to explore ways to integrate Province, Nakoo District Governor, and the the climate change adaptation activities into Chi RBO Committee Coordinating Director. their own institutional planning framework. This agreement encourages the partners to establish climate-resilient pilot areas at each The project was able to successfully establish of the local governments as well as to set up the Community CCA Learning Center at Sai an implementing partnership between Sai Na Wang where many farmer groups and Na Wang Sub-District Watershed Committee government officers could come together to and the Office of Water Resources Region 4. explore and learn from the ‘climate champion’ The object of this partnership is to collect farmers. The very impressive telemetering local water resources data and develop GIS for early warning system has received a great deal efficient planning to address the water shortage of attention from the Khon Kaen Governor and problem, by focusing on diverting floodwater the Kang La Wa National Wetland Manager, to nearby reservoirs. It will also channel water who later requested the project team to invent from outlying areas to Sai Na Wang through a and install this facility at Vieng Kao District small-scale hydropower system. (in the upper stream of Nam Pong River) and the Kang La Wa Wetland of Ban Had District, Although climate change adaptation is both in Khon Kaen Province. The Sai Na Wang relatively new to most Thai government local government, influenced by the project officials and civic groups, through community climate change adaptation policy advocacy, participatory action research during the has revised its Environmental and Agriculture fieldwork activities, they were able to gain a Policy and Plan by including the climate change more insightful understanding about climate adaptation activities as well as by establishing change adaptation. The agriculture-based a Sub-District Water Management Committee climate change adaptation information created and by implementing measures to cope with by the project could enhance understanding the water shortage stress. of the climate vulnerability and adaptation context among sub-national, provincial and The project outputs also led to joint proactive local governments and civic group leaders. measures taken by the local government This project is still at an early stage for and local business sector. These two sectors climate change adaptation implementation considered that climate change impact in Thailand. Consequently, more activities was crucial and thus decided to sign a should be advocated, particularly for: the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) development of a financial support system; between five local governments and one public communication and upscaling; training business sector: Sai Na Wang, Nong Poa, Pho and courses for youth and school children; the Thong, Sra Pang Thong, Lao Yai and Mitrphol building of solar panels for on-farm irrigation;

x Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation the modeling of mixed use surface and groundwater; the establishment of a native seed variety bank; and an examination of more detailed opportunities in mainstreaming climate change adaptation into a local and provincial policy and planning framework.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand xi xii Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 1. Background 1. BACKGROUND Climate change and variability have recently received much attention from the Thai population since drought and flood occur frequently throughout the country. The northeast of Thailand has a land area of 16.9 million ha located in the Lower Mekong BasinClimate (LMB). change andThere variability are three have recentlymain river the ba watersins demand in this is onlyarea: 10,933 Mekong, million m3Chi per and Moon, withreceived 80 sub-basins much attention of cultivated from the land Thai ofyear. 10.4 However, million the ha region (Figure is often 1). facedThe withpopulation of thepopulation northeast since region drought is 21.6 and floodmillion, occur or onesevere th ird water of shortagesthe country’s due to total mostly population, sandy with onlyfrequently one million throughout ha of the irrigated country. land. The Theloam river that has run-off less moisture volume content. is 57,220 Further, million m3 pernortheast year, ofwhereas Thailand thehas awater land area demand of 16.9 is onlysalinity 10,933 becomes million more critical m3 per in someyear. areas, However, the regionmillion hais locatedoften infaced the Lower with Mekong severe Basin water withshortages 75.7 percent due ofto landmostly area sandy classified loam as that has less(LMB). moisture There are content.three main Further, river basins salinity in this becomeslacking organic more content. critical During in somethe dry season,areas, with 75.7 percentarea: Mekong, of land Chi area and Moon,classified with 80as sub-lackingthe organic region experiencescontent. During severe waterthe dry stress season, the regionbasins of experiences cultivated land severe of 10.4 water million stress ha due due to to climate climate change change impact, impact, with minimal with minimal (Figure 1). The population of the northeast rainfall intensity and fewer raining days. This rainfall intensity and fewer raining days. This causes the river basin in the region to region is 21.6 million, or one third of the causes the river basin in the region to dry up, dry up, making the Young River Basin the basin that is most critically vulnerable to country’s total population, with only one making the Young River Basin the basin that is climatemillion ha impact of irrigated in the land. northeast The river region. run-off most critically vulnerable to climate impact in volume is 57,220 million m3 per year, whereas the northeast region.

 ลุมน้ํายอย 2T (โขงสวนที่1 และ กก) - พื้นที่ลุมน้ํา 18,859 ตร.กม. - ประชากรในลมนุ ้ํา 1.8 ลานคน - ปริมาณน้ํา 6,559 ลาน ลบ.ม./ป  ลุมน้ํายอย 3T (โขงสวนที่2 และ 3) - พื้นที่ลุมน้ํา 46,460 ตร.กม. - ประชากรในลมนุ ้ํา 6.1 ลานคน - ปริมาณน้ํา 26,475 ลาน ลบ.ม./ป  ลุมน้ํายอย 5T (ชีและ มูล) - พื้นที่ลุมน้ํา 119, 177 ตร.กม. - ประชากรในลมนุ ้ํา 16.4 ลานคน - ปริมาณน้ํา 30,744 ลาน ลบ.ม./ป  ลุมน้ํายอย 9T (ลุมน้ําโตนเลสาบ) - พื้นที่ลุมน้ํา 4,150 ตร.กม. - ประชากร 548,173 คน - ปริมาณน้ําทา 2,394 ลาน ลบ.ม./ป

Figure 1. Lower Mekong river basins in northeast Thailand

Figure 1. Lower Mekong river basins in northeast Thailand The Young River Basin, a tributary of the Chi Kalasin and Roi-Et Provinces. The upstream River Basin (Figure 2), has a land area of 0.5 catchment at Kalasin Province experiences Themillion Young ha covering River five Basin, provinces, a tributary 23 districts, of thea much Chi longerRiver periodBasin of(Figure drought 2), annually, has a land area of107 0.5 sub-districts, million and ha 864 covering villages. five However, provinces, whereas 23 the districts,lower reach at 107 Roi-Et sub-districts, struggles with and 864 villages.most of the However, Young River most Basin of is the located Young in heavyRiver flood Basin during is locatedthe monsoon in Kalasinmonths. and Roi-Et Provinces. The upstream catchment at Kalasin Province experiences a much longer period Final Report ofof the Firstdrought Batch Project inannually, Thailand whereas the lower reach at Roi-Et struggles with1 heavy flood during the monsoon months.

Figure 2. The Chi River basin and its tributaries

When formulating a local demonstration established an eight-member Steering project under the MRC Climate Change and Committee, consisting of the Director-General Adaptation Initiative (CCAI), the Chi RBO of central government agencies, sub-national consulted with the TNMC and the Department and provincial government directors, NGOs of Water Resources (DWR) of the Ministry and the Khon Kaen Governor. The Governor of Natural Resources and Environment to also set up a working committee of seven select the Young River Basin as the project members to implement the demonstration site. The Chi RBO, chaired by the Khon Kaen project activities. Province Governor, then established a specific committee (Chi RBO Committee Ref. 09/2554, Later, the Chi RBO also formulated its policy of 12 December B.E. 2554) to be in charge and strategy to guide the project team of the Thai local demonstration project. in implementing the project activities by This Committee consists of 27 members promoting active stakeholder involvement from government and non-government through all planning steps and activities. It organization (NGOs). The Governor also also fostered the learning process through

2 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the project team and sub-national, provincial and local stakeholders. The Thai demonstration project therefore required many activities to set up stakeholder meetings and community-based involvement. The Chi RBO later identified the target sites for investigation: the upstream Sai Na Wang drought of Kalasin Province, and the downstream Wang Luang flood-prone area of Roi-Et Province.

It was expected that the Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang communities would benefit in some way from the demonstration project activities. The project was designed to engage community leaders and local, provincial and sub-national government officers to work cooperatively in all project activities. These include community participatory action research in Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang, the creation and set-up of the climate-hydrology-agriculture-telemetering information management system, and development of climate change adaptation information to be distributed to government agencies and the general public. Further, since climate change adaptation is relatively new to most Thais, it was expected that the project findings and new knowledge on climate change adaptation from the Young River Basin would benefit both the direct stakeholders involved in the project and indirect groups and individuals.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 3 4 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 2. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the project was to • explore lessons learned from the villagers’ implement local adaptation demonstration coping strategies and agricultural activities in the Young River Basin. This adaptation practices to respond to would be achieved by conducting a climate climate change impacts; change impact assessment as well as through adaptation planning and capacity building of • innovate and test the adopted climate relevant stakeholders and target communities information management applied in in addressing climate change impacts and risk, order to detect changes of climate and and advocating and mainstreaming climate to serve as a tool for policy and planning change adaptation in the local and national process; development plans. • create an evidence-based policy brief Specific objectives of the local demonstration and a case study report on community- activities in Thailand were to: based climate change adaptation options and a strategy for policy development • review national, provincial and local and decision-making. climate change adaptation (CCA) policy and strategy, as well as explore to the possibility of integrating the CCA into sectoral development policy;

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 5 6 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 3. METHODOLOGY

The Thai demonstration project is directed and administered by the Chi RBO, which, in principle, emphasizes the need for the involvement of key stakeholders to jointly design the project concept and plan of activities. The Project Steering Committee further identified key working components to be included in the project, including agriculture, policy and planning, information technology, livelihoods and water resources. These require the engagement and input from various governmental agencies and civic groups, as well as local communities to support and fulfill the planned activities. The project design included 11 implementation steps to achieve the overall objectives (Figure 3).

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 7 1. The Chi RBO organizes three stakeholder consultation meetings in order to agree and elaborate on key working components, clarifying and adjusting the CCAI project plan of activities.

2. The Chi RBO establishes the CCAI Project Steering Committee, the project team and the fieldwork team.

3. The project team organizes two stakeholder meetings to seek advice in establishment of climate and agriculture information system and consult the fieldwork study methods and tools.

4. The project team designs and constructs CCAI study methods and tools.

5. The fieldwork team conducts field studies at Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang, which includes: (i) community participatory action research (Tai Baan Research); (ii) household surveys on vulnerability assessment and adaptation; (iii) field observations; and (iv) in-depth interviews with key informants.

6. The project team establishes an in-house climatic information system at WRRO 4, develops and sets up the field telemetering system at the Young River Basin and trains local government authorities on how to operate the climate and agriculture smart information system .

7. The project team organizes a stakeholder meeting to inform and consult fieldwork analysis results and information, and telemetering system operation.

8. The project team collects and reviews CCA policy- and plan-related documents and interviews of authorities.

9. The project team produces CCA documents for public release and establishes the CCA Community Learning Center at the Sai Na Wang local government.

10. The project team produces the CCA policy brief and planning guide, and organizes the provincial and local government meetings to see if it is possible to mainstream CCA into their exisitng policy and plan.

11. The CCA Steering Committee organizes the Chi RBO members and respective government authorities meeting to inform, share CCA findings, and to gain feedback on the overall project results.

Figure 3. Design and implementation steps of the Thai demonstration project Figure 3. Design and implementation steps of the Thai demonstration project

8 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 4

Figure 4. TheFigure first 4.project The firststakeholder project stakeholdermeeting meeting

Figure 4.4. TheThe firstfirst projectproject stakeholderstakeholder meetingmeeting

Sai Na Wang

SaiSai NaNa WangWang

Figure 5. The demonstration project sites

Figure 5. The demonstration project sites Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 9

Figure 5. The demonstration project sites Figure 5. The demonstration project sites

5 5

Study approach and project site Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis selection (CVCA) tool by Dazé, Ambrose and Ehrhart (2009) prepared for CARE. The Project Steering Committee selected the Young River Basin in northeast Thailand as The fieldwork team understood that, indeed, the project site mainly because this basin is the climate change adaptation terms and the hardest hit in the northeast area, facing contexts are poorly understood by local severely adverse climate impacts from both farmers and lay persons. The PRCA process and severe drought and flood. Further, it was activities, which is one type of the Community considered that some communities located Participatory Action Research, would ideally within the Young River Basin could cope with enable these stakeholders to better understand these climate variability effects. The first project climate change vulnerability and adaptation. stakeholder meeting further proposed the Further, it would be even more valuable if this two target sites of the Young River Basin: the community-based PRCA were based on local Sai Na Wang community of Kalasin Province resources, households and farmland, etc. This at the upper catchment, and the Wang Luang would raise awareness among the community community of Roi-Et Province at the lower end members on insightful concepts and basin site (Figures 4 and 5). The former was understanding of climate change vulnerability selected due to its history of severe droughts and adaptation. and the latter, due to heavy flood impacts. The PRCA included the following activities: Community participatory action research (Tai Baan Research) and household • organising a community workshop climate change vulnerability and with the aim of increasing community adaptation assessment surveys members’ understanding of their own resources by doing community resources The fieldwork team reviewed several methods and transect maps; and tools that could be used for an exploration • using maps as interactive learning tools of rural agriculture-based community on by organising a series of community climate impact vulnerability and adaptation. workshops to help community members The team found three key resources as the most can elaborate on and provide profiles of suitable materials for the Thai demonstration community adaptation practices with fieldwork context: the Climate Change Impact respect to climate hazards, exposure, Assessment and Adaptation Strategies by risks and effects; Feetra et al. (1998), produced for the United • seeking community members as Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); the volunteers to work in partnership with Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal the project fieldwork team to conduct (PRCA) by Anyaegbunam, Mefalopulos and household climate vulnerability and Moetsabi (2004), prepared for FAO; and the adaptation surveys;

10 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation • constructing the household • organising the community workshop questionnaire consisting of three main to draw key information to identify parts: the ‘community climate champions’ and then undertaking comprehensive - household social and economic field visits to their farm sites to gain information; comprehensive knowledge; - the nature and scale of climate • conducting in-depth interviews by impacts from drought and any the project team on detailed climate associated adaptive actions; - the nature and scale of climate adaptation practices with these impacts from flood and any individual climate champions. responsive adaptive actions; The fieldwork team also developed the • conducting household surveys as Fieldwork Guide to be used as a protocol by well as field visits and observations by project researchers, community members and the fieldwork team and community interested stakeholders (Figure 6). volunteers (as co-researchers),

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 11 o the nature and scale of climate impacts from drought and any associated adaptive actions; o the nature and scale of climate impacts from flood and any responsive adaptive actions;  conducting household surveys as well as field visits and observations by the fieldwork team and community volunteers (as co-researchers),  organizing the community workshop to draw key information to identify the ‘community climate champions’ and then undertaking comprehensive field visits to their farm sites to gain comprehensive knowledge;  conducting in-depth interviews by the project team on detailed climate adaptation practices with these individual climate champions.

The fieldwork team also developed the Fieldwork Guide to be used as a protocol by project researchers, community members and interested stakeholders (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Fieldwork guide for use by the project researchers, community members and Figure 6.interested Fieldwork stakeholders guide for use by the project researchers, community members and interested stakeholders

7 12 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Analysis of fieldwork results and The RMUTI team in its stakeholder consultation refinement of key community CCA meeting then identified the information information for public dissemination inventory methods and tools to develop a project information system by: The fieldwork team analysed key information from field study results using content analysis • using the GCMs from the Southeast Asia and the household questionnaire data set with START Regional Centre in Bangkok, data descriptive statistics. More insightful analyses were downscaled to local climate data in of household data sets were also conducted order to create a climate model for the to determine the relationship between socio- Young River Basin; economic and livelihood attributes and the • collating meteorological data such as degree and magnitude of household climate rainfall, temperature, evaporation and vulnerability and adaptation practices. streamflow, from relevant government agencies; The above relationship results were later • using the Soil and Water Assessment revised to produce briefs on climate change Tool (SWAT) model to predict runoff data adaptation as resource materials for public for the Young River Basin; dissemination, such as posters and leaflets, as • applying the FAO CropWat-ClimWat well as booklets for local, provincial and sub- Programme to generate information on national government agencies and civic group crop cultivation patterns in the Young leaders. River Basin; • assessing the climate risk of the Young Climate database, GIS, hydrological River Basin by using predicted future models and smart agriculture information climate scenarios. system inventory CCA government policy and planning re- Since the two demonstration project sites view, and mainstreaming of CCA into the were largely farmland, this required a specific existing local government plans information system to inventory climate, hydrology and agriculture. The project team To mainstream climate change adaptation members from Rajamangala University of into the policy and planning process, the team Technology Isan (RMUTI) were in charge of consulted the Climate Change Adaptation building the project information system by Practitioner’s Guide (2011) by United Nations establishing the Young River Basin GIS-based Development Programme-United Nations system, collating climate- and agriculture- Environmental Programme (UNDP-UNEP) to related data, and archiving the database at the develop an idea and concept of mainstreaming RMUTI Information Centre and Water Resource climate change adaptation into policy and Regional Office 4 Khon Kaen (WRRO 4). planning process. Moreover, the project team

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 13 contacted the Office of Natural Resources and The project team later organised a workshop Environmental Policy and Planning (as the for Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang local focal agency on climate change in Thailand) governments to inform and consult them of the Ministry of Natural Resources and on the need of climate change adaptation Environment to seek their support on climate mainstreaming into their policy and planning change adaptation-related documents for system. review. Further, the team collected and reviewed the Chi RBO Strategic Plan in relation to climate change adaptation implication. The Kalasin and Roi-Et Provincial Strategic Plans as well as Three-Year Development Plans of local governments of Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang were also explored for any existing sectoral or component related to climate change adaptation.

14 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 4. ACTIVITIES

The following are key project activities: • building climate information database and creating a Young River Basin GIS, • conducting stakeholder meetings to hydrological, and agriculture modelling inform and consult with key informants system; regarding project activities; • devising and installing a low-cost climate • designing community climate change telemetering system at four riverside vulnerability-risk-adaptation survey stations of the Young River Basin. tools; • conducting community surveys, using For detailed research and development the inventory tools for identifying activities, refer to Annex 1 of this report. the nature and magnitude of climate impacts, as well as household coping and adaptation strategies; • implementing community participatory research activities, which aim to identify case studies of household ‘champions’ who are currently taking actions to cope with and adapt to climate change impacts, and to gain a better understanding of them and their actions;

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 15 16 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 5. RESULTS

5.1 Outputs

Output 1.1: A database and climate information system is developed to support Results the local climate change adaptation and decision-making process 1.1.1 Organise • The project team invited ten resource persons from a technical the Meteorological Department, the Royal Irrigation consultation Department, the Agriculture Extension Department and meeting for climate the Land Development Department, as well as from Khon data collection and Kaen University’s Department of Agriculture Engineering monitoring. for a consultation meeting. • Representatives from these relevant governmental departments were very pleased to provide their support in climate data record and information for use in the development of the GIS, the climate model, the hydrological model and the CropWat Model. • There were extensive discussions on which programme, methods and tools of climate and agriculture data sets by the participants, and finally, the stakeholders agreed to cooperate in building these climate change adaptation information systems. 1.1.2 Collect baseline • The project team collected the Young River Basin climateclimate and socio- and agriculture-related data sets from the Meteorological economic data from Department, the Water Resources Department, the relevant agencies. Royal Irrigation Department, the Agriculture Extension Department, the Land Development Department, and the Provincial Governments of Kalasin and Roi-Et. • The socio-economic data of the Young River Basin were supported by and drawn from records and information of the National Statistical Office.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 17 1.1.3 Develop an • The GIS with Google Earth base for the Young River Basin information decision was developed with support from the RMUTI Mekong support system. Information Centre and the WRRO 4. • The Young River Basin Climate Model was designed using the GCMs with support from the Southeast Asia START Regional Centre in Bangkok. • The Young River Basin Hydrological Model was also created by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with support from the Department of Water Resources and the Royal Irrigation Department. • The Agriculture Water Demand Model (CropWat-ClimWat) was formulated for the Young River Basin using the FAO CROPWAT 8.0 Programme by the RMUTI team.

1.1.4 Invent and test the • The low-cost prototype telemetering climate early warning use of appropriate system was invented by the RMUTI team. The system was technology for local installed and calibrated at four stations of the Young River climate data-loggers Basin and tested for its effective functioning. The sensors and GIS warning collected basic climate data, rainfall, wind speed and system at sites. direction, temperature and humidity, and stored these data into a data logger. Using the solar panel as an energy source, data from the data-logger were then remotely sent to the main server at RMUTI via a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) module Internet network.

18 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Output 2.1: Current community perception and Results experiences on climate risk and variability, and adaptation practice 2.1.1. Design a set of • The project team extensively reviewed and consulted survey questionnaire vulnerability and adaptation assessment documents, which forms for climate allowed it to construct a questionnaire for use in household change vulnerability vulnerability and adaptation surveys. assessment. 2.1.2. Conduct and • The questionnaire was used to survey a total of 400 analysis of the households. The household vulnerability, risk-and adaptation community field practices data were analysed and key messages on factors surveys on climate related to household vulnerability versus successful coping change vulnerability, and adaptation strategy were also explored (see Annex 1). risk and adaptation • The survey results were also later refined for climate change practice. adaptation knowledge sharing among the general public as well as for Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang local governments to be used in their policy and planning development process.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 19 Output 3.2: Capacity building on climate change Results adaptation at local communities 3.2.1 Revisit and • The community participatory action research and with household summarise the survey results were reviewed and documented for potential community adaptation options to be used by local rural farmers and sub- agricultural-base on national, provincial and local governments. future vulnerability- • The key information of future adaptation options were further risk-adaptation options produced in posters, leaflets and booklets. of the existing survey data. 3.2.2 Organise technical • The project team organised a technical workshop by inviting workshop on flood resource persons from the Department of Water Resources, and drought risks and the Royal Irrigation Department, the Agriculture Extension adaptation options. Department, and the Land Development Department to inform and consult them on the community-based approach to future adaptation options to droughts and floods. • Those key resource persons agreed in principle on the promotion of soil conservation, paddy water ponds, integrated farming, diversified crop products and organic fertiliser utilisation for those concerned. 3.2.3 Prepare a guideline • The project team produced a community guide on an agriculture- report on community based vulnerability issues and successful adaptation by the agriculture-based ‘climate champions’. vulnerability, risk and • The short guide was delivered to the Agriculture Extension adaptation options Department for further distribution to rural farmer group and implementation leaders. strategy.

3.2.4 Produce general • The project team also created a short message on the climate information on climate vulnerability and adaptation strategy in an information sheet and change impacts and mini-poster for distribution to schools and public spaces. adaptation materials.

20 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 3.2.5 Support activities • The project team produced the CCA information set to be used in two community- and displayed at the Community CCA Learning Center at Sai Na based demonstration Wang. sites and share • The project team also provided computer support on with GIS/ experiences with other CropWat/Telemetering Connectivity to the Sai Na Wang local stakeholders from government as well as training for its officials on how to operate the MRC member the system. countries. • The project team also communicated and exchanged experiences on the Thai demonstration project results with the Lao PDR, Cambodia and Viet Nam. • The Lao PDR demonstration project team and its government officials and farmer leaders also carried out on-site visits to the climate champions to learn how to manage farmland water and soil conservation as well as to apply hands-on practices in making organic liquid fertilizer and other alternative livelihoods. 3.2.6 Prepare resource • The project team also produced a short information message such materials on the as in posters and leaflets on adaptation to the climate change community-based impacts strategies by climate champions. The short information climate change was distributed to Sai Na Wang Community CCA Learning Centre, adaptation to support and to all local and provincial governments located in the Young the community River Basin. learning centres, and local and provincial governments.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 21 Output 4.1: A climate change adaptation policy brief Results and implementation strategy 4.1.1 Review related • The project team reviewed Thailand CCA policy- and strategy- documents on related documents, and interviewed the national officers in national policy and charge of the country CCA policy and strategy development. implementation The first climate change-related strategy of Thailand (National activities related Strategic Plan on Climate Change 2008-2012) was completed to climate change in 2009 and the longer-term policy (Thailand Climate Change adaptation. Master Plan 2013-2050) was prepared but not yet approved. Thus, sub-national, provincial and local governments are not required to adopt any CCA policy and planning unless voluntary. • The ongoing five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2012-16) briefly addresses the CCA and only notes the need to work on disaster preparedness and on climate change impacts. It does not mention measures and mechanisms to be used, however. • For the government policy, the present government addresses CCA by focusing on the need to develop a climate change database and preparedness strategy for any natural disasters that might occur. • During the implementation of the Thai demonstration project, the Young River Basin Organisation and the Sai Na Wang local government reviewed their own strategic plans and finally integrated the CCA issues into their strategic plan. • It should be noted here that CCA is very new to most Thais and thus there is very limited information on policy advocacy and relevant practice models. 4.1.2 Synthesise the • The project team produced a climate change vulnerability and overall output of adaptation brief in the form of a booklet and disseminated it to local demonstration sub-national and provincial governments as resource materials activities for climate for their use in CCA policy and strategy development processes. change policy and implementation strategy.

22 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 5.2 Outcomes

Project Achievements objectives a) To review • Reviews on CCA policy and planning documents at the national, sub-national, national, provincial and local government levels indicated that there is no CCA strategic provincial and action plan specifically related to rural farmer households. The only national and local climate change-related agency established is the Thailand Greenhouse Gas climate change Organization, which focuses on mitigation, not on adaptation. adaptation • The CCA project is also contributing key information to the second draft of the (CCA) policy and national CCA strategic plan. strategy, as well • When exploring possibilities for CCA integration into the policy and plan, it was as explore the found that the most feasible way is to introduce CCA to local governments. By possibility of law, the Thai local government is an autonomous council where any community- integrating the driven need can be approved and become local policy and regulation. CCA into sectoral • The CCA is relatively new to most Thai officials and any good practice model development is rarely documented for public consumption. Furthermore, a climate change policy. information system has not been developed in the CCA model. • The CCA-related policy and planning review finds were finally reported to the Chi RBO and the Project Steering Committee. At a consultation meeting, it was later suggested that the project team should decide on whether the Sai Na Wang and the Young RBO could adopt and integrate the CCA into their policy and planning process. The Sai Na Wang and the Young RBO responded positively and volunteered to revise their policy and plan to include the CCA strategy, which would then need further approval by the local council. Subsequently, the CCA strategy was successfully institutionalized and formulated in the Sai Na Wang and the Young RBO policy and planning framework. • After being informed about the project results, the NE regional director of the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand (NESDB) took these findings into account. Later, the director supervised the provincial policy and planning directors to address the need for CCA to be integrated into the provincial strategic plan. NESDB is the agency that oversees all provincial policy and development planning activities across the country. However, this would take time to effect a change since the CCA policy and planning process is as rare as a pilot case to be used by the planners to learn and replicate.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 23 b) To explore lessons • The household survey together with community participatory action learnt from those research results showed clear evidence of successful autonomous villagers on their adaptation of some farmers to the climate change impacts. The most coping strategies vulnerable farmers to climate impacts were monocropping farmers and agricultural whose farmland area was less than 1.6 ha. adaptation • The study results also indicated that the household-based autonomous practices in adaptation to the climate change impacts contained highly valuable response to the information. The ‘climate champions’ illustrated climate farming climate change resilience practices through the use of: (i) integrated farming; (ii) smart impacts. water management in the paddy; (iii) the application of animal manure instead of the chemical fertiliser; (iv) cultivation using native seed that is tolerant to climate disruption; (v) farmland resource cycling; (vi) planting fruit and standing trees to conserve soil moisture content; and (vii) raising fish and poultry in the paddy pond. All of these proved successful in coping with climate uncertainty and variability impacts as well as in the sustainable generation of household income and better livelihoods. • The community-based activities organised by the fieldwork team created a learning platform for community members as well as local and provincial government officers. The experiences, provided by the demonstration project information, have been further developed. As a result, many farmer groups within the province and from other provinces visit the farmland of the climate champions and learn from them. • The Kalasin and Roi-Et provincial agriculture extension officers also planned to review their strategic and annual plans to determine whether it is possible to integrate CCA into their existing policy document; however, the national CCA framework has not yet been developed. • The Land Development Department at the sub-national and provincial offices recognised the farmers’ need of the paddy water pond as well as its valuable benefits. They further revised their own investment plan aiming to allocate their budget more on farm pond promotion.

24 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation c) To innovate • The GIS Google Earth base, CropWat and the telemetering prototype and test the proved to be effective in helping the Sai Na Wang local government adopted climate learn and cope with climate change impacts. The facilities supported information by the demonstration project accordingly led to the development and management reform of Sai Na Wang sustainable agriculture plan. system that was • Many large farmland owners in Kalasin, Roi-ET and Khon Kaen applied in order Provinces were interested in learning more about the climate and to detect climate hydrological models as well as the CropWat model; the project team changes, which then provided them with techniques and information on the benefits serves as a tool of such facilities. for policy and • The CropWat model received a great deal of attention from the NE planning process. provincial agriculture extension officers who invited the project team to present and demonstrate how to operate the CropWat. Recently, 21 officers from provincial and district offices, after learning from the project team, started to use the programme as part of their routine work. • The climate telemetering early warning device received a great deal of attention from many authorities, and the Khon Kaen Governor recently asked the project to install this facility at Nam Pong River for detecting water quality and water flow changes. The National Wetland Committee of Kang La Wa at Khon Kaen also asked the project team to install another telemetering set at the wetland, the largest in NE Thailand. • This low-cost telemetering facility drew a great deal of attention from Cambodia and Viet Nam project teams. The Thai project team further provided techniques and information on this climate early warning system to them. d) To draft an • In addition to the NE NESDB Director’s decision to advocate for CCA evidence- mainstreaming into the provincial strategic and annual plan, there based policy were very few changes observed, except for the Sai Na Wang and the brief and case Young RBO strategic plan and the agriculture extension movement, as study report on stated above. The reason for this is because Thailand lacked the national community-based CCA framework. However, many national sectoral planners and civil climate change societies highly appreciated these project results, thereby planning adaptation to bring this message to be included in the new draft national CCA options and strategic plan. strategy for policy development and decision-making.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 25 26 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 6. CONCLUSION

The overall demonstration project activities annual income, unlike those who practised was successful and fulfill the study objectives. monocropping. The project also identified The development of CCA policy and planning the climate champion farmers in the two process in Thailand is still in its infant stage, communities, who later received many farmer and the new draft national CCA strategic plan groups, local government authorities, and has been submitted for a public hearing and agriculture extension officers coming to visit comments. Unlike the mitigation approach, and learn from them. the CCA is generally poorly understood by both government officers and general public. The demonstration project team proved that the climate and agriculture information The community participatory action research system that they developed was functioning and household survey analysis results showed effectively. This information system made that surface water resources were the most it possible for all stakeholders to clearly vulnerable to climate impact at the two study understand climate change impacts. The sites. Due to the severe drought in June to July, climate model together with hydrological and most farmers experience hardships, particularly water demand model for cropping received during rice transplanting. Moreover, many a great deal of attention from large farmland households had limited sources of drinking owners, irrigation managers and agriculture water. The farms that were exposed to the extension officers. A number of agriculture highest risk to yield loss by climate variability extension officers made field visits to learn impact were the small farm land with vegetation the CropWat program and later used in their (<1.6 ha) with monocropping. routine work. The telemetering system was further replicated. The Khon Kaen Governor At the project sites, however, it was found that and the Kang La Wa National Wetland Manager some farmers showed that they could cope well requested the project team to install this with the climate change impacts. These climate facility along the Nam Pong River and at the champion farmers transformed their farmland water inflow-outflow site of the Kang La Wa from monocropping to the integrated animal wetland. mixed vegetation varieties. They also built the paddy pond to raise fish and poultry as well as The climate change impact and adaptation supply the pond water with rich nutrients for resource materials distributed by the project the rice plot. These climate-resilient practices team to relevant government agencies and also included native seed varieties, on-farm civic groups became an important awareness- water retention and flow management, and raising tool on climate impact adaptation. Much soil moisture content conservation through feedback and many communication materials an ecology-based approach. In addition, the were provided to the project team following farmers with integrated farming, who adapted the request for more information. The policy well to the climate impacts, also have sufficient brief and CCA policy and planning analysis

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 27 information released by the demonstration project team also led the NE NESDB Director to lobby for the climate issue through the introduction of the CCA to all 21 NE Provincial Policy and Planning Directors.

28 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 7. RECOMMENDATIONS & LESSONS LEARNT

Since the beginning of the Thai local from this project that efforts had been taken by demonstration project in January 2011 to date, the Sai Na Wang local government to integrate the Chi RBO and all participating agencies the adaptation activities to its policy and plan stated that they had learned and understood since all local governments in Thailand are, to more about climate change vulnerability and a certain extent, autonomous administrative the adaptation context. This is as a result of organisations. Further, the agriculture the project design by the Project Steering extension officers have begun to take a step Committee, which put greater focus on the use forward towards carrying out CCA policy and of collective learning approach and stakeholder plan mainstreaming actions. involvement through the entire implementing steps of the project. The fieldwork activities To this end, it is worth considering that while were also planned and promoted the active promoting and placing an institutional CCA involvement of community members by policy and plan at the central government engaging them as co-researchers. Therefore, level may be difficult, it could be feasible at insightful community- and household-based the lower tiers, such as local and provincial information was obtained, benefitting village governments. However, any initiative on representatives, who developed a sense of local and provincial policies and plans needs project ownership. to be passed and be approved by the Local Council and the Provincial Policy and Planning The study also proves that the low-income rural Committee. It is therefore necessary to inform farmers with only small plots of land were the these Council and the Committee Members on highest risk groups to climate change impacts. climate change vulnerability and adaptation, These marginal groups lacked the resources to and to present showcases or best practices adapt to the adverse climate impacts, and the to enhance their better understanding of the local government lacked adequate budget for context and consideration. coping measures to support them. It is clear that the budget allocated from local, provincial Like many communities in NE Thailand, without and central governments are earmarked only government intervention, the Young River for development activities (e.g. transportation, Basin communities do not have any planned education, health, environmental conservation, adaptation. The project also successfully career promotion), and the initiative of climate explored a number of climate champions or change adaptation activities (e.g. integrated ‘autonomous adaptation farmers’ who could farming) is not included in the fiscal policy and adapt and make their farmland resilient to planning framework. However, even though climate variability and consequences. The the national policy and planning framework project team also found that such practice neglects to take into account CCA aspects may not have been evident if no community specifically related to the project focus (i.e. rural workshop or dialogue had been organised; farmers in drought-prone areas), it emerged this best practice is embedded and hidden

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 29 within the community. The establishment of telemetering system set up. The first attempt the Community CCA Learning Centre was a in the region to collate and archive a database, highly useful mechanism for allowing a wider use a relevant software program and establish public or even the mass media to make a more an early warning system was performed by extensive and widespread use of information. this project. Although this information system Senior farmers, local youth groups and school is recognized as a prototype, when the project children showed a proactive interest in and team delivered the results of the climate- gave their best efforts in coping and adapting hydrology-agriculture-information analysis to to the climate impacts. More than ten youth stakeholders, they expressed a greater interest group leaders decided to volunteer as co- and value in further use of spatial planning researchers in the fieldwork project at both Sai process. Na Wang and Wang Luang. When discussing with them the issue of climate change, they Information and feedback from the climate said that they knew a great deal about how to champions are also extremely interesting for adapt to the climate impact as well as about similar activities in the future. The climate preparedness activities. They foresaw that champions expressed their views on the need when they grew up, they might face more for using the solar power to pump water from critical situations of climate consequences, the pond or reservoir to the rice paddy due yet there were courses or learning materials to the high cost of oil and electricity. They available at their school. Further, they added even suggested that there should be some that it would be more beneficial if they could operational model of using groundwater learn the GIS and CropWat model because mixed with surface water during dry months. they considered that these two tools may Moreover, since native seed variety is scarce, help their families conserve and manage their they recognised the need to set up a native farmland water. Also, it is worth noting here seed bank within their community. These that even though the project team produced champions also highlighted the need to climate champion examples to disseminate to conserve public land with native standing trees all local farmers, a number of senior farmers and envisioned that those that remained could had no interest in changing from commercial conserve soil moisture and land temperature. monocropping to a diversified crop system. Movement for a change in the medium and The demonstration project designed and long term may be feasible if CCA initiatives steered by the Chi RBO to explore climate would support these young adults and youth vulnerability and adaptation information from groups. the local communities at Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang provided a huge amount of valuable Another important finding is that the information. The Intergovernmental Panel on local and provincial governments had no Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) also noted that climate-related information system nor any this locally based information is beneficial to

30 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation members from local communities because reforming water management and the cropping it can be easily understood and applied/ system. Some climate champions at Sai Na upscalled to their own communities. Indeed, Wang who successfully adapted their farms by many communities come to learn and obtain combining animal raising with rice cropping experience on the climate champion farms at and who had been successful were similar to Sai Na Wang, and later bring the concept and those in Bangladesh (E-Jahan & Pemsl, 2011). practice home to be replicated. In addition to on-farm adaptation, the project found the need for institutional adaption, The fieldwork study approach made use of and e.g. building community water infrastructure, modified the methods and tools of Feenstraet developing resource material and providing et al. (1998), Anyaegbunam, Mefalopulos training in order to support farmers. As Deressa and Moetsabi (2004) and Dazé, Ambrose and et al. (2009) and Raymond and Robinson Ehrhart (2009) to suit the local context. It also (2013) stressed, these interventions should be emphasized the learning process by drawing initiated by the governments. on community lessons learned in exploring climate vulnerability, risk, and adaptation Development on policy and planning of of community and individual households. CCA at all levels - central, provincial and This approach fostered the participation of local government levels - is very limited in community members and youth groups as well Thailand. Zaheer (2012) reported that this is as female groups in the activities where they a very common situation in most developed could also learn and understand more about and developing countries, in particular in climate change and its impacts. Aalst et al. local government councils (Baker et al., (2008) and MRC (2010) noted that vulnerability 2012; Saavedra & Budd, 2009). Khailani and assessment requires a learning process, which Perera (2013) also reported that most central leads to an adaptation and livelihood support, governments rarely used the local best especially for the poor, to cope with the practice model to guide their development of climate impact. Mitchell and Tanner (2006) and CCA policy and planning process. The Regional Macchi (2008) also reported that poverty from Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge droughts and floods was classified as a social Platform for Asia (AKP, 2012) also noted that vulnerability, and that the socially vulnerable most government agencies at all levels did should be supported by the governments and not have a science-based and climate change private sectors. information system. According to Dockertya et al. (2005) and Brisley et al. (2012), using In this project, it was observed that the on-farm such an information system would help policy adaptation to climate impact observed was makers and planners as well as community similar to what was reported by Wassmann et leaders understand more about the context of al. (2009), suggesting the need for farm-scale climate impact, vulnerability and adaptation resilience to both droughts and floods by methods.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 31 Bhaktikul (2012) reported that Thailand did not • determining the roles and functions have a complex dataset for elaborating on the as well as resources that the local inter-relationship between the human system government should have in order and agro-ecology under changing climates. to support local farmer groups in transforming farmland production The final demonstration project stakeholder and making it resilient to the climate meeting was organised on 28 March 2013 variability; by the Chi RBO in Kalasin Province, with • developing appropriate energy-smart 54 participants from local and provincial facilities (e.g. solar panels) as well as governments, civic group leaders and non- determining how both practice models government organisations (see Figure 7). of groundwater and surface water can The objectives of the meeting were to: pool be used for farming during drought the common views on the further steps of periods; CCA actions and sign a Memorandum of • formulating the community’s native Understanding between six partners, five seed bank for local farmers; local governments and one large sugar mill • providing continuous support to the factory in order to address climate change Community CCA Learning Center, with and adaptation. The meeting summarized and the local government and climate suggested further activities and support from champions’ playing a cooperative the MRC, as follows: role in disseminating climate-resilient information; • developing an environmental education • upscaling and setting up more course that focuses on climate change telemetering systems within the Young impact, vulnerability and adaptation for River Basin. youth groups and school children; • studying the need for local and provincial governments to establish a climate information system, in particularly seeking the best information programme package that suits local and provincial governments for use in climate policy and planning process; • investigating more detailed opportunities for and barriers to mainstreaming CCA into local and provincial government policy and planning framework;

32 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation  investigating more detailed opportunities for and barriers to mainstreaming CCA into local and provincial government policy and planning framework;  determining the roles and functions as well as resources that the local government should have in order to support local farmer groups in transforming farmland production and making it resilient to the climate variability;  developing appropriate energy-smart facilities (e.g. solar panels) as well as determining how both practice models of groundwater and surface water can be used for farming during drought periods;  formulating the community’s native seed bank for local farmers;  investigating more detailed opportunities for andproviding barriers continuous to mainstreaming support to the Community CCA Learning Center, with CCA into local and provincial government policy theand localplanning government framework; and climate champions’ playing a cooperative role in  determining the roles and functions as well disseminating as resources climate-resilient that the local information; government should have in order to support upscaling local farmerand setting groups up more in telemetering systems within the Young River transforming farmland production and makingBasin. it resilient to the climate variability;

 developing appropriate energy-smart facilities (e.g. solar panels) as well as determining how both practice models of groundwater and surface water can be used for farming during drought periods;

 formulating the community’s native seed bank for local farmers;  providing continuous support to the Community CCA Learning Center, with the local government and climate champions’ playing a cooperative role in disseminating climate-resilient information;  upscaling and setting up more telemetering systems within the Young River Basin.

Figure 7. Signing of the memorandum of understanding between six partners

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 33

34 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation REFERENCES

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Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 35 IPCC. (2007). Climate change 2007 - Impacts, Advances in Agronomy, 102, adaptation and vulnerability: Contribution 91-133. doi: 10.1016/S0065- of Working Group II to the fourth 2113(09)01003-7 assessment report of the IPCC. Cambridge, Zaheer, K., Alesworth, N., Bajwa, N., & UK: Cambridge University Press. Birwani, Z. (2012). Community Macchi, M. (2008). Indigenous and traditional based vulnerability assessment: peoples and climate change Issues Paper: Kharo Chan, Keti Bunder and ICUN. Jiwani. Karachi: World Wide Fund MRC. (2010). Review of climate change for Nature - Pakistan. adaptation methods and tools Technical Paper No. 34. Vientiane: Author. Raymond, C. M., & Robinson, G. M. (2013). Factors affecting rural landholders’ adaptation to climate change: Insights from formal institutions and communities of practice. Global Environmental Change, 23(1), 103–114. doi: doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2012.11.004 Saavedra, C., & Budd, W. W. (2009). Climate change and environmental planning: Working to build community resilience and adaptive capacity in Washington State, USA. Habitat International, 33(3), 246–252. doi: doi:10.1016/j. habitatint.2008.10.004 UNDP-UNEP. (2011). Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development planning: A guide for practitioners Environment for the MDGs Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/pdf/ mainstreaming-cc-adaptation-web.pdf van Aalst, M. K., Cannon, T., & Burton, I. (2008). Community level adaptation to climate change: The potential role of participatory community risk assessment. Global Environmental Change, 18(1), 165–179. doi: doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2007.06.002 Wassmann, R., Jagadish, S. V. K., Sumfleth, K., Pathak, H., Howell, G., Ismail, A., . . . Heuer, S. (2009). Regional vulnerability of climate change impacts on Asian rice production and scope for adaptation.

36 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Annex 1: Fieldwork study and information management system inventory results Fieldwork study and information Annex 1

management system inventory results

Secretariat Office of the Chi River Basin Committee SecretariatWater Office Resource of the Chi Regional River Office Basin Committee 4 Thailand Water Resource Regional Office 4 Thailand

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 37 Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation Initiative of Mekong River Basin

October 2011 Background Project activities Key project activities undertaken include: The objective of this report is to provide an overview of the first year of implementation • organising stakeholder meetings to of the community-based Climate Change and inform and consult with key informants Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) project activities regarding project activities; in northeast of Thailand. The CCAI project • designing community climate change is financially supported by the Mekong vulnerability, risk, and adaptation survey River Commission (MRC) in collaboration tools; with the Thailand Department of Water • carrying out community surveys, using Resources (DWR) of the Ministry of National the inventory tools that aimed to identify Resources and Environment (MNRE), under the nature and magnitude of climate the directive of Thailand National Mekong impacts, as well as household coping Committee. The organizations in charge of and adaptation strategies; supervision and guidance of the CCAI project • implementing community participatory implementation in Thailand are the Chi River research activities, which aimed to Basin Organization (Chi-RBO) in northeast identify case studies of household Thailand and the Working Group on Climate champions who are currently taking Change and Adaptation Initiative of the MRC. actions to cope and adapt to climate The project implementation team consists of change impacts, and to gain a better leading researchers from the DWR Regional understanding of these champions and Office 4 at Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen University, their actions; E-San University, the Rajamangala University of • building a climate information database Technology Isan, Khon Kaen Campus, and the and creating a Young River Basin GIS, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Thailand. climate model, a hydrological model and water demand for rice cropping model; The Thailand CCAI project sites, Sai Na Wang • devising and setting up a low-cost in Na Koo District, Kalasin Province and Wang climate telemetering system at the four Luang in Selapoom District, Roi-Et Province, riversides of the Young River Basin. both in the Young River Basin, are among the communities hardest hit by the impacts of climate change.

38 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation CCAI Thailand project team

The CCAI Thailand project is administered by the Secretariat Office of the Chi River Basin Committee of Water Resource Regional Office 4 Thailand and the Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation Initiative of the Mekong River Basin. The project implementation team consists of personnel from six government and non-government organizations (NGOs) and agencies. The project manager is Prasit Wanset, Director of the Chi River Basin Intersectional Cooperation Division of the DWR Regional Office 4, Khon Kaen Thailand. Other project leaders are from Khon Kaen University (KKU), Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Khon KaenCampus (RMUTI), WWF Thailand, E-San University, and the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Programme.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 39 Working group on climate change 16. Dr Vicien Kerdsook RDI Khon Kaen adaptation initiative of the Young University, Member River Basin 17. Asst. Prof. Teunjai Dulyajindaporn, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, 1. Asst. Prof. Dr Yanyong Inmuong, Khon Member Kaen University, Chairperson 18. Nakorn Najaroon, Member 2. Dr Jongkol Pimwapee, Water and Quality 19. Rattaphon Pitakthepsombat WWF of Life Foundation, Vice-Chair Thailand, Member 3. Director of Environmental Center Region 20. Mayor of Banderd Municipality Council, 10, Member Yasothorn Province, Member 4. Director of Natural Resource and 21. Mayor of Wang Luang Municipality Environment, Kalasin Province, Member Council, Roi-Et Province, Member 5. Director of Natural Resource and 22. Bamroong Kayota Member of the Chi Environment, Roi-Et Province, Member River Basin Committee, Member 6. Director of Natural Resource and 23. Badit Akalapracha Member of the Young Environment, Yasothorn Province, River Basin Committee, Member Member 24. Pranot Kerdvicha Member of the Chi 7. Director of Meteorological Center Upper River Basin Committee, Member Northeast Thailand, Member 25. Somkid Singsong Chairperson of Huay 8. Director of Meteorological Center Lower Sam Mo Sub-Basin Committee, Member Northeast Thailand, Member 26. Director of Secretariat Office of Lower 9. Monchai Sawasdewaree Department of Chi River Basin Committee, Member Royal Irrigation, Member 27. Prasit Wanset Director of Secretariat 10. Reanthong Pansaita Director of Office of Upper Chi River Basin Northeast Agriculture Research Center Committee Secretariat Member 11. Director of Upper Northeast Hydrological Project implementation team Center, Member 12. Montri Deemanop ONSEDB Northeast 1. Prasit Wanset (Water Resources Regional Office, Member Office 4), Project manager 13. Dr Ashara Phubapan E-San University, 2. Asst. Prof. Dr Yanyong Inmuong Member (KhonKaen University-KKU), Technical 14. Asst. Prof. Rachaphat Ratanavaraha Team Leader Rajamangala University of Technology 3. Asst Prof Rachaphat Ratanavaraha Isan, Member (RMUTI), RMUTI Team Leader 15. Dr Singthong Plangpongpan 4. Rattaphon Pitakthepsombat (WWF Rajamangala University of Technology Thailand), WWF Team Leader Isan, Member

40 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 5. Dr Aschara Pubphapan (E-San University), leaders in project implementation. In particular, ESU Team Leader 5T members regarded the participation of 6. Nakorn Najaroon, CCAI Project community leaders and villagers in project Coordinator activities as an opportunity for them to learn 7. Alisa Rue (Australian Youth Ambassadors and share information with CCAI researchers. for Development, Assistant Researcher The second consultation meeting, held at Stakeholder Consultation the Rim Pao Hotel, Kalasin Province on 14 Meetings January 2011, involved MRC representatives, the Governors of Kalasin and Roi-Et Provinces, In 2011, four consultation meetings were and concerned provincial, district and sub- organized to inform and consult stakeholders district organisations, non-government on the CCAI project. organizations (NGOs) and community groups (Figure 2). At this meeting, the CCAI project The first meeting, held at the Faculty of Public team briefed stakeholders and sought their Health, KKU in Khon Kaen on 24 December feedback on the project and its aims, and the 2010, involved key members of the Mekong plan of activities. Feedback from stakeholders River Commission (MRC) 5T area (Chi/Mun focused on the impacts experienced in Young River Basins) organization in developing the Sub-Basin communities from droughts and draft Thailand CCAI plan of activities (Figure floods. Participants observed the variation 1). At this meeting, 5T members made critical in monsoonal weather patterns in recent contributions to the scheduling of project years, which has created greater uncertainty activities, including the directive that all for farmers in their rice growing calendar. fieldwork should be completed prior to the rice Stakeholders stated their expectations that harvest, as well as key suggestions regarding the CCAI project would provide invaluable the nature of community members in field information on how farmers are currently activities. adapting to such climate impacts.

Further outcomes from this meeting were the decisions that all field activities should be undertaken in consultation with both the Sub-district Administrative Organization and community leaders, with 5T members stressing the importance of including community

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 41 FigureFigure 1. 1. Stakeholder Stakeholder meeting meeting at at Khon Khon Kaen Kaen

Figure 1. Stakeholder meeting at Khon Kaen

FigureFigure 1. Stakeholder 1. Stakeholder meeting meeting at Khon at Khon Kaen Kaen

Figure 2. Stakeholder meeting at Kalasin

FigureFigure 2 2Stakeholder Stakeholder meeting meeting at at Kalasin Kalasin The third consultation meeting, held at Kao At the fourth consultation meeting, held TheThe third thirdWong consultation consultation Technical College meeting, meeting, in Kaoheld held Wong at at Kao Kao District W Wongong Technical Technicalat Wang College LuangCollege in Municipal in Kao Kao Wong Wong Council District District Office, of of KalasinKalasinof Province KalasinProvince Province on on 16 16 March onMarch 16 2011, March 2011, was 2011,was attended attended was communityby by the the District District members Governor Governor shared of theirof Na Na views Koo Koo on and and the relevantrelevantattended government government by the agencies agencies District andGovernor and NGOs NGOs of (Figure Na (Figure flood-prevention 3a). 3a). At At this this meeting, meeting,dyke at the there thereYoung were wereRiverbank. key key FigureFigure 2 Stakeholder 2 Stakeholder meeting meeting at Kalasin at Kalasin contributionscontributions from from stakeholders stakeholders on on the the importance importance of of seeking seeking traditional traditional knowledge knowledge and and Koo and relevant government agencies and The dyke led to much inundation on the other understandingunderstanding local local adaptive adaptive and and coping coping strategies strategies for for dealing dealing with with climate climate change change impacts. impacts. TheThe thirdNGOs third consultation (Figure consultation 3a). At meeting, this meeting, meeting, held held atthere Kao at Kaowere Wong W ong Technicalside Technical of the College rice College field in Kao induring Kao Wong Wong the District wetDistrict ofseason. of

KalasinKalasinkey Province contributions Province on on 16 from 16March stakeholdersMarch 2011, 2011, was onwas attended the attended Moreover, by bythe theDistrict the District community Governor Governor membersof Naof NaKoo addedKoo and and AtAt the the fourth fourth consultation consultation meeting, meeting, held held at at Wang Wang Luang Luang Municipal Municipal Council Council Office, Office, relevantrelevantimportance government government of seeking agencies agencies traditional and and knowledge NGOs NGOs (Figure (Figure 3a). 3a). At At this this meeting, meeting, there there were were key key communitycommunity members members shared shared their their views views on on thethethat flood-prevention flood-prevention due to changes in dyke weather dyke at at patterns, the the Young Young there contributionscontributions from from stakeholders stakeholders on on the the importance importance of ofseeking seeking traditional traditional knowledge knowledge and and Riverbank.Riverbank.and understanding The The dyke dyke led led local to to much adaptivemuch inundation inundation and coping on on the the wasother other less side side precipitation, of of the the rice rice field field which during during affected the the wet wet rice understandingunderstanding local local adaptive adaptive and and coping coping strategies strategies for fordealing dealing with with climate climate change change impacts. impacts. season.season.strategies Moreover, Moreover, for the dealing the community community with climate members members change added added cultivationthat that due due to (Figure to changes changes 3b). in in weather weather patterns, patterns, therethere wasimpacts. was less less precipitation, precipitation, which which affected affected rice rice cultivation cultivation (Figure (Figure 3b). 3b). At At the the fourth fourth consultation consultation meeting, meeting, held held at at Wang Wang Luang Luang Municipal Municipal Council Council Office, Office,

communitycommunity members members shared shared their their views views on onthe the flood-prevention flood-prevention dyke dyke at at the the Young Young Riverbank.Riverbank. The The dyke dyke led ledto muchto much inundation inundation on theon theother other side side of theof therice rice field field during during the thewet wet 42season.season. Moreover, Moreover, the the community community members members added added that that due Local due to Demonstration changes to changes Projects in weatheron in Climate weather Change patterns, Adaptation patterns, therethere was was less less precipitation, precipitation, which which affected affected rice rice cultivation cultivation (Figure (Figure 3b). 3b).

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28 28

FigureFigureFigure 3(a). 3(a)3(a). Stakeholder. StakeholderStakeholder meeting meeting meeting at Kaoat atKao WoKao Wong Wong ng(b) (b)Stakeholder Stakeholder (b) Stakeholder meeting meeting at Wang at meeting Wang Luang Luang at Wang Luang

FromFrom all all four four consultation consultation meetings, meetings, there there was was a consensus a consensus that that the the Young Young Sub-Basin Sub-Basin had had beenFrombeen experiencing all experiencing four consultation increasingly increasingly meetings, severe severe drought there drought was and and flood floodOther conditions conditions messages since since 2007. that 2007. Prolonged emerged Prolonged from the droughtadrought consensus in incertain certain that areas areas the has has Young led led to toreduced Sub-Basin reduced rice rice yields, had yields, whilestakeholder while heavy heavy rains meetingsrains in shortin short time were time periods that periods the impacts have caused flash flooding, which has led to major damage to the riparian rice paddies. beenhave experiencingcaused flash flooding, increasingly which severe has led drought to major damageof climate to the riparian change rice arepaddies. complex and are

UponandUpon flood reviewing reviewing conditions the the current current since provincial, provincial, 2007. district Prolonged district and and sub-districtexacerbated sub-district development by development local ecosystem polices polices and destruction and by plans,droughtplans, it isit inisapparent certainapparent that areas that there therehas are led are no to nospecific reduced specific activities rice activities tolocal explicitlyto explicitlyresidents, deal deal withsuch with climate as climate through change change land clearing impacts. However, stakeholders emphasized that, to some extent, there are community-based yields,impacts. while However, heavy stakeholdersrains in short emphasized time periods that, to someand intensiveextent, there chemical are community-based fertilizer usage. In this effortsefforts to tocope cope with with climate climate impacts, impacts, such such as asbuilding building a farmers’ a farmers’ network network for forintegrated integrated mix- mix- crophavecrop farming caused farming methods, flash methods, flooding, and and raising raising nativewhich native haslivestoc livestoc led to k. k.regard, Government Government participants officials officials indicated viewed indicated thatthe that restoration currentmajorcurrent governmentdamage government to theinitiatives initiatives riparian to toriceassist assist paddies. communities communities inand dealing in dealing conservation with with the theimpacts of impacts the oflocal climateof climateenvironment as change are limited to a Thai National Government programme to compensate farmers for change are limited to a Thai National Government paramount, programme tosuggesting compensate that farmers such efforts for could losseslosses in inrice rice production production as asa result a result of offlooding. flooding. Upon reviewing the current provincial, district increase community resilience and reduce the OtherandOther messages sub-district messages that that emerged development emerged from from the policesthe stakeholder stakeholder and meetings meetingsnegative were were effectsthat that the theimpacts of impacts climate of climateof climate change. However, change are complex and are exacerbated by local ecosystem destruction by local residents, plans,change it areis apparent complex andthat arethere exacerbated are no specific by local ecosystemat present, destruction provincial by local conservation residents, policies suchsuch as as through through land land clearing clearing and and intensive intensive chemical chemical fertilizer fertilizer usag usage. e. In In this this regard, regard, participantsactivitiesparticipants to viewed explicitlyviewed the the restorationdeal restoration with climateand and conservation conservation change of andofthe the localplans local environment for environment soil, water as paramount, asand paramount, native vegetation suggestingimpacts.suggesting However,that that such such efforts stakeholders efforts could could increase emphasized increase community community are resilience resilience a relatively and and reduce reduce low the priority the negative negative and receive effects of climate change. However, at present, provincial conservation policies and plans for that,effects to of some climate extent, change. there However, are community- at present, provincialminimal conservation financial policies allocation and plans from for the central soil,soil, water water and and native native vegetation vegetation are are a relativelya relatively low low priority priority and and receive receive minimal minimal financial financial allocationbasedallocation efforts from from theto the copecentral central with government. government.climate impacts, such government. as building a farmers’ network for integrated Many stakeholders highlighted their expectations that the CCAI project would reveal mix-cropMany stakeholders farming methods, highlighted and theirraising expectations native Many that the stakeholders CCAI project would highlighted reveal their insightfulinsightful information information on on climate climate change change impa impacts ctsat theat the household household level, level, as wellas well as provideas provide somelivestock.some practical practical Government coping coping strategies. strategies. officials Many Many participants participantsindicated acknowledged expectations acknowledged that that climate climate the change CCAI change is project a is a would relatively new concept to them and would need more information and experience in order to thatrelatively current new government concept to them initiatives and would to assistneed more reveal information insightful and informationexperience in on order climate to change gaingain a bettera better understanding understanding its itsimpacts, impacts, especially especially in thein the context context of theirof their situation. situation. communities in dealing with the impacts of impacts at the household level, as well as

Overall, community members and both government organizations and NGOs stated that they climateOverall, change community are limitedmembers to and a Thaiboth Nationalgovernment organizationsprovide some and practical NGOs copingstated that strategies. they Many were pleased to be involved with the project and in the implementation of CCAI activities, were pleased to be involved with the project and in the implementation of CCAI activities, andGovernment to cooperate with programme the project team. to compensate participants acknowledged that climate change and to cooperate with the project team. farmers for losses in rice production as a result is a relatively new concept to them and would

Climate change vulnerability-risk-adaptation assessment tools ofClimate flooding. change vulnerability-risk-adaptation assessmentneed more information tools and experience in order

The Thai CCAI project team reviewed several availableto community gain a better climate understanding change impact its impacts, The Thai CCAI project team reviewed several available community climate change impact and vulnerability assessment tools, and decided that the most appropriate data collection methodand vulnerability included the following assessment four tools, assessment and decided tools/techniques: that the most appropriate data collection Finalmethod Report of included the First Batch the Project following in Thailand four assessment tools/techniques: 43 29 29

especially in the context of their situation. Finally, a community workshop was held with project researchers and community members Overall, community members and both to discuss and summarize the surveyed government organizations and NGOs stated information and to produce village, social and that they were pleased to be involved with transect maps. the project and in the implementation of CCAI activities, and to cooperate with the project The household questionnaire was developed team. with a focus on obtaining information on the nature and scale of climate change impacts Climate change vulnerability-risk- as perceived and experienced by each adaptation assessment tools household, as well as any household coping and adaptation strategies. In developing the The Thai CCAI project team reviewed several household questionnaire, the CCAI project available community climate change impact team reviewed household survey tools and and vulnerability assessment tools, and found that guides developed by Feenstra et decided that the most appropriate data al. (1998), Anyaegbunam, Mefalopulos, and collection method included the following four Moetsabi (2004) and Dazé, Ambrose and Ehrhart assessment tools/techniques: (2009) for assessing climate vulnerability and adaptation in rural agricultural communities • Participatory field observation (PFO) were best suited to the objectives and context • Household questionnaires of the Thai CCAI project sites. • Community workshops and focus group discussion The CCAI project team then designed created a • In-depth interviews with key questionnaire, consisting in three main parts: informants. • household social and economic In conducting field research, the researchers first information; required active cooperation from community • the nature and scale of climate impacts groups in both project sites to organize from drought and any associated community transect walks and to determine adaptive actions; the village boundary for the PFO. Second, • the nature and scale of climate impacts CCAI field researchers organized a community from flood and any adaptive actions. workshop to inform community groups and seek contribution from them on the PFO Finally, the CCAI team developed a fieldwork objective and method. Third, the researchers guide detailing the above four listed tools for and community leaders conducted a village use by the project researchers and community walk-through survey, recording information leaders (Figure 4). and taking photos within the village boundary.

44 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Figure 4. Thailand CCAI Fieldwork Guide

Figure 4. Thailand CCAI Fieldwork Guide

Social and environmental profile of the Young Sub-Basin and project sites Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 45 Rainfall intensity in the Young Sub-Basin has varied significantly during the past ten years (2000-2010) (Figure 5). While there has been an overall decline in rainfall throughout the basin, recorded rainfall was the lowest in 2003, with an average of 1,218.5mm, and only 95 days of rain. More recently, in 2008-10, there has been a continuous decline in the rainfall pattern.

Figure 5.Figure Variability 5. Variability of rainfall of inrainfall the Young in the Sub-Basin Young Sub-Basin

The two Thai CCAI project sites are located the Young Sub-basin, one in the upper basin and one in theSocial lower basinand (Figureenvironmental 6). In the upper profile basin site, Sai Na Wang in Kalasin Province, a project vulnerability and adaptation assessment was undertaken in two target villages with a total of of 133 the households, Young KoodSub-Basin Ta Klai and Moo 4 and Moo 7. In the lower basin site, Wang Luang inproject Roi-Et Province,sites project vulnerability and assessment tools were used in four villages with a total of 188 households, Don Kaew Moo 9, Nong Kham Moo 10, Ta Bo Moo 11 and Nong Kham Pattana Moo 18. Rainfall intensity in the Young Sub-Basin has villages with a total of 133 households, Kood varied significantly during the past ten years Ta Klai Moo 4 and Moo 7. In the lower basin (2000-2010) (Figure 5). While there has been an site, Wang Luang in Roi-Et Province, project overall decline in rainfall throughout the basin, vulnerability and assessment tools were used recorded rainfall was the lowest in 2003, with in four villages with a total of 188 households, an average of 1,218.5mm, and only 95 days of Don Kaew Moo 9, Nong Kham Moo 10, Ta Bo rain. More recently, in 2008-10, there has been Moo 11 and Nong Kham Pattana Moo 18. a continuous decline in the rainfall pattern.

The two Thai CCAI project sites are located the Young Sub-basin, one in the upper basin and one in the lower basin (Figure 6). In the upper basin site, Sai Na Wang in Kalasin Province, a project vulnerability and adaptation assessment was undertaken in two target

46 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 6. Thailand CCAI project sites, Young River Basin Figure 6. Thailand CCAI project sites, Young River Basin

Sai Na Wang Community Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 47 Sai Na Wang is located in the upper Young sub-basin, 82 km (180-220 msl) from Kalasin City in Kalasin Province. This community is influenced by the Phu Pan mountain range, with the dominant vegetation close to the Phu Pan consisting of native deciduous trees. At the mountain edge, land has been cleared for cultivation. The main crops are sugarcane, cassava and rubber tress. Across the lower landscape, there are sparsely scattered patches of native vegetation growing among paddy fields and serving as a buffer zone along the Young river bank. A village map drawn by community members during the FPO showing a simple cross- sectional profile of the Sai Na Wang landscape is illustrated in Figure 7.

The average annual temperature in Sai Na Wang is 26.7°C: the average maximum is 35.8°C in March, and the average minimum is 16.8°C in December. The dry season is from March to May, while the monsoon season, which coincides with the time for rice cultivation, is usually from June-September, with the relatively cooler months from November to February being the harvest season. The average rainfall (1971-2004) was 1,290.4 mm, with the highest

Sai Na Wang Community with a total of 979 households and a population of 4,115. Moreover, 60.97 percent of villagers Sai Na Wang is located in the upper Young are in the workforce and 22.96 percent are sub-basin, 82 km (180-220 msl) from Kalasin students. The main occupation in Sai Na Wang City in Kalasin Province. This community is is rice farming (99.13 percent of households, influenced by the Phu Pan mountain range, an average of 3-4 people per household). In with the dominant vegetation close to the addition, 19.85 percent of households have at Phu Pan consisting of native deciduous trees. least one member engaged in off-farm work At the mountain edge, land has been cleared in the dry season. The average annual income for cultivation. The main crops are sugarcane, per household is THB54,260, a figure that is cassava and rubber tress. Across the lower significantly lower than the average household landscape, there are sparsely scattered patches income of THB138,336 in northeast Thailand. of native vegetation growing among paddy fields and serving as a buffer zone along the The land of Sai Na Wang covers 1,918 ha, of Young river bank. A village map drawn by which 77 percent is used for the cultivation community members during the FPO showing of crops, and only 1.76 percent retained as a simple cross-sectional profile of the Sai Na water resources (Figure 8). In 2007, the Land Wang landscape is illustrated in Figure 7. Development Department reported that farmland in Sai Na Wang had poor soil quality, The average annual temperature in Sai Na with low levels of water permeation, combined Wang is 26.7°C: the average maximum is 35.8°C with severe drought recurring in the dry season in March, and the average minimum is 16.8°C in in recent years. The average land area used for December. The dry season is from March to May, rice cultivation is 1.92 ha per household. while the monsoon season, which coincides with the time for rice cultivation, is usually from While most households rely on income from June-September, with the relatively cooler rice cultivation, some households are growing months from November to February being soybean in the dry season from December- the harvest season. The average rainfall (1971- January to supplement their income, while 2004) was 1,290.4 mm, with the highest average other households are shifting away from rice intensity in July (241.4 mm), while the lowest monocropping to integrated mixed crop average intensity was in January (0.6 mm). farming and raising livestock. For the majority The relative humidity is 74 percent, with the of households in Sai Na Wang, rainwater is highest average humidity recorded in August the only source of water for crop irrigation; (83%), and the lowest average in March (63%). some farmers building ponds in their paddy fields to store rainwater for the dry season. The Sai Na Wang community, which is Similarly, most households use rainwater for administered by the Sai Na Wang Sub-district drinking, and may also use bored groundwater Administrative Organization, has eight villages, for cooking and cleaning. Only a minority

48 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation of farmers whose paddy fields are located the cooler months are between October and adjacent to the Young River are able to cultivate February, and the hot and dry months, between rice in the dry season. February and April. The average annual rainfall for Wang Luang (1971-2004) is 1,362 mm, with It was observed in a pre-project survey an average of 109.7 days of rain a year, and conducted by CCAI field researchers prior the highest average rainfall in August at 263.4 to the commencement of project activities mm. The average annual humidity in Wang that most Sai Na Wang residents face serious Luang is 71.2 percent; the highest average is water scarcity issues during the dry season. in September, at 81 percent, and the lowest Bore wells tend to dry up, and for farmers average in March, at 60 percent. with paddy fields away from the Young River, the only water available tends to be for those Wang Luang, which is administered by Wang households with large and relatively deep Luang Sub-district Municipality, has 18 ponds. During the dry season, farmers who villages, with a total of 1,398 households and a practise integrated mixed farming are able population of 6,281. The average land holding to continue to undertake farm work, such as per household is 2.4 ha, with 92.3 percent of growing vegetables and raising livestock, while families in Wang Luang cultivating rice as their farmers who rely on rice monocropping usually main source of income. Wang Luang covers an seek odd jobs to sustain their livelihoods. area of 3,604 ha, of which 84.6 percent is rice paddy, and 4.5 percent wetlands. Wang Luang community Upland rice farmers in Wang Luang are often Wang Luang is located in the lower Young Sub- faced with water shortages due to limited basin, 48 km (130-135 msl) from Roi-Et City, in rainfall in the monsoon season, while farmers Roi-Et Province. Wang Luang is influenced by in lowland areas experience severe flooding its downstream location, with many wetlands, during the wet season. A riverbank dyke reservoirs and canals, especially at the lower constructed in an attempt to stem the flow reaches (Figure 9). There are some forests left in of flood waters in fact increased the level of the highlands of Wang Luang, as well as some the water at the lower reaches, which flowed areas of community reserve, which are mostly back while heavily inundating the lowland located in the grounds of Buddhist temples. rice paddy fields. Conversely, during unusual dry years, the water along the main channel The average annual temperature of Wang of the Young River dries up, resulting in water Luang is 26.7°C; the average maximum scarcity for both household consumption and temperature in April is 35.7°C, and the average agricultural use. minimum temperature in December is 17.0°C. In Wang Luang, the monsoon season usually In Wang Luang, there is a large reservoir, Nong starts in May and continues through to October; Boh, which stores water for community use

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 49 (Figure 10). Recently, this reservoir has been the source of conflict over water use among community members, especially those who cultivate rice and vegetables in the dry season. The municipal government has attempted to resolve these issues by issuing regulations for the allocation and management of NongBoh resources. Despite these regulations, the reservoir water level has dropped sharply due to overuse in the dry season, further exacerbating issues of water scarcity in the dry season.

50 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 7. Transect map of Sai Na Wang Figure 7. Transect map of Sai Na Wang

Figure 7. Transect map of Sai Na Wang

Figure 8. Resources and land-use map of Sai Na Wang

Figure Final 8. Report Resources of the First Batch and Project land-use in Thailand map of Sai Na Wang 51

Wang Luang community Figure 8. Resources and land-use map of Sai Na Wang Wang Luang is located in the lower Young Sub-basin, 48 km (130-135 msl) from Roi-Et City, in Roi-Et Province. Wang Luang is influenced by its downstream location, with many wetlands,Wang Luang reservoirs community and canals, especially at the lower reaches (Figure 9). There are some

Wang Luang is located in the lower Young Sub-basin, 48 km (130-135 msl) from Roi-Et City, in Roi-Et Province. Wang Luang is influenced by its downstream location, with many35 wetlands, reservoirs and canals, especially at the lower reaches (Figure 9). There are some

Figure 9. Transect map of Wang Luang

Figure 10. Resource and land-use map of Wang Luang

52 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Summary of household farming investments and energy, while in Wang Luang, and income patterns the greatest expenditures are on food, clothing and farm investment (Figure 12). The majority of Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang households cultivate both sticky and plain In Sai Na Wang, 71 percent of households white rice varieties, the former being mainly reported an adequate income to household for household consumption, and the latter expenditure ratio, while in Wang Luang, for selling. CCAI project research indicates only 52 percent reported the same. In both that in Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang, there communities, households who undertake is an inadequate supply of rainwater for rice integrated farming had on average a greater cultivation for the majority of households (63% income over expenses ratio than those who and 79%), respectively. undertook rice monocropping (Figure 13). Further, it was observed that those households In both project communities, the main source cultivating mixed crops and raising livestock of household income is from rice cultivation, had a higher incidence of earning above with the majority of Sai Na Wang and Wang THB100,000 a year, and were able to save Luang households earning THB20,001-60,000 more money than those cultivation rice as a per year (Figure 11). In Sai Na Wang, the greatest monocrop (Figure 14). household expenditures are on clothing, farm

FigureFigure 11. 11. Household Household income income from from rice rice farming farming

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 53

Figure 12. Household expenditure patterns

Figure 11. Household income from rice farming

FigureFigure 12. 12. Household Household expenditure expenditure patterns patterns

FigureFigure 13. 13. Farming Farming regime regime and and income income adequacy adequacy

54 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 14. Farming pattern and income level

Household vulnerability assessment Vulnerability to drought and flood

A community’s vulnerability to climate change is dependent on exposure to climate impacts, its degree of sensitivity and adaptive capacity (Department of the Environment and Heritage. (2005). Both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang communities are directly exposed to climate hazards through droughts and floods at different times in the seasonal calendar. Further, these communities are impacted by increasing variability in local climate, with observed changes in the monsoon and rainfall patterns. Recently, in both communities, the surface temperature has increased markedly during the dry season. Moreover, these communities are compounding their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change through the clearing of forest for cropping, as well as through the intensive use of chemical fertilizer and pesticide on farm land, further deteriorating the quality of soil and water.

Figure 13. Farming regime and income adequacy

FigureFigure 14. 14. Farming Farming pattern pattern and and income income level level

HouseholdHousehold vulnerability assessment vulnerability to the impacts of climate change assessmentVulnerability to drought and flood through the clearing of forest for cropping, as

Vulnerability to drought and flood well as through the intensive use of chemical A community’s vulnerability to climate change is dependent on exposure to climate impacts, its degree of sensitivity and adaptive capacity (Departmentfertilizer and of the pesticide Environment on farm and land, Heritage. further A (2005). community’s Both Sai vulnerability Na Wang and to Wang climate Luang communitiesdeteriorating are the directly quality exposedof soil and to water. climate changehazards is dependentthrough droughts on exposure and floods to atclimate different times in the seasonal calendar. Further, these communities are impacted by increasing variability in local climate, with observed changes in impacts, its degree of sensitivity and adaptive CCAI project household surveys in both study the monsoon and rainfall patterns. Recently, in both communities, the surface temperature has capacityincreased (Department markedly of during the Environment the dry season. and Moreover, sites revealed these communities that the majority are compounding of community Heritage.their vulnerability (2005). Both to Saithe Naimpacts Wang of and climate Wang change members through arethe impactedclearing of by forest drought, for cropping, with only Luangas well communities as through the are intensive directly exposeduse of chemical to afertilizer small number and pesticide of households on farm land, experiencing further deteriorating the quality of soil and water. climate hazards through droughts and floods no drought impact (Figure 15). Furthermore, at different times in the seasonal calendar. 24 percent of households in Wang Luang 39 Further, these communities are impacted by experience both drought and flood, which increasing variability in local climate, with is higher than that of the Sai Na Wang. observed changes in the monsoon and rainfall Responses also indicate that households that patterns. Recently, in both communities, practise integrated farming were less affected the surface temperature has increased by drought (Figure 16), because their crop and markedly during the dry season. Moreover, livestock were less sensitive to water shortages. these communities are compounding their Conversely, rice farmers who did not have

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 55

CCAI project household surveys in both study sites revealed that the majority of community membersCCAI project are impactedhousehold by surveys drought, in withboth onlystudy a sitsmalles revealed number thatof households the majority experiencing of community no droughtmembers impactare impacted (Figure by 15).drought, Furthermore, with only a 24 small percent number of of households households in experiencing Wang Luang no experiencedrought impact both drought (Figure and 15). flood, Furthermore, which is highe 24 r percent than that of of households the Sai Na Wang. in Wang Responses Luang accessalsoexperience indicate to pond both that reservedrought households and water flood,that were practise which the is integr mosthigheated r than farmingnote that that of were the households Sailess Na affected Wang. in Saiby Responses droughtNa Wang reported (Figurealso indicate 16), that because households their cropthat practise and livestock integrated were farming less sensitivewere less toaffected water by shortages. drought vulnerableConversely,(Figure 16), group rice because farmersto the their impacts who crop did of and not drought. havelivestock access were tobeing pond less less sensitive reserve sensitive water to water to were the shortages. theimpacts most of drought vulnerableConversely, group rice to farmers the impacts who of did drought. not have access tothan pond households reserve water in Wang were theLuang, most since many vulnerable group to the impacts of drought. For the majority of households in both study households in the former have water ponds For the majority of households in both study sites, rainwater is their main source of drinking sites,waterFor rainwaterthe (Figure majority 17).is oftheir households Therefore, main source in some both of families study drinking sit alsoes, rainwater experienceto store is theirrainwater shortages main sourceinon drinking their of drinkingland. water Similarly, the waterduringwater (Figure (Figuredroughts 17). (Figure Therefore, Therefore, 18). It is some someimportant families families to note also that experienceinadequate households shortages in monsoonal Sai Na in drinkingWang rainfall reported water in the rice beingduring less droughts sensitive (Figure to the 18). impacts It is important of drought to notethan thathouseholds households in Wang in Sai Luang, Na Wang since reported many alsohouseholdsbeing experience less sensitive in the shortages former to the haveimpacts in water drinking of pondsdrought water to than store households rainwatercultivation in on Wang seasontheir land.Luang, had Similarly, since a greater many the effect on duringinadequatehouseholds droughts monsoonal in the (Figure former rainfall 18). have It in wateris theimportant riceponds cultivation to tostore upper rainwater season terrain had on a their greaterfarmers land. effect in Similarly, Wang on upper Luang. the terraininadequate farmers monsoonal in Wang rainfallLuang. in the rice cultivation season had a greater effect on upper terrain farmers in Wang Luang.

FigureFigure 15. 15. ClimateClimate impactsimpacts on on households households Figure 15. Climate impacts on households

Figure 16. Climate impact on types of farming 40 40

56 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Figure 16. Climate impact on types of farming Figure 16. Climate impact on types of farming

Figure 17. Climate impact on household livelihoods (เหมือนกันกับกราฟล่าง) Figure 17. Climate impact on household livelihoods (เหมือนกันกับกราฟลาง) Figure 17. Climate impact on household livelihoods (เหมือนกันกับกราฟลาง)

Figure 18. Climate impact on household livelihoods FigureFigure 18. 18. Climate Climate impact impact on on household household livelihoods livelihoods Due to the inadequacy of rainwater and variability in weather patterns during the rice Duecultivation to the season, inadequacy Sai Na of Wang rainwater and Wang and Luang variability communities in weather are never patterns sure during about thewhen rice to cultivationbegin growing season, seeding Sai Na and Wang planting and Wangrice crops. Luang Many communities households are reportednever sure having about preparedwhen to begintheir paddy growing fields seeding by ploughing and planting and furrowingrice crops. for Many transplantation households ofreported seedlings, having yet preparedthey did Finaltheirnot Report have ofpaddy the Firstenough Batchfields Project water by in ploughingThailand in the fields and when furrowing it was for time transplantation to transplant ofthe seedlings, seedlings. yet As theya result, did 57 thesenot have households enough waterdecided in onthe broad-casting fields when itof w seedas time instead, to transplant yet this resultedthe seedlings. in a lower As a harvest result, theseyield comparedhouseholds to decided transplanting on broad-casting and a higher of cost seed for instead, the seed yet quantity this resulted used. in a lower harvest yield compared to transplanting and a higher cost for the seed quantity used. 41 41

Due to the inadequacy of rainwater and July. Indeed, households in Sai Na Wang stated variability in weather patterns during the rice that the most critical water shortage occurs cultivation season, Sai Na Wang and Wang between May and July, at the beginning of the Luang communities are never sure about rice cultivation season (Figure 19), while Wang when to begin growing seeding and planting Luang households stated that the most critical rice crops. Many households reported having period of water shortage was between June prepared their paddy fields by ploughing and and August (Figure 20). Some families in both furrowing for transplantation of seedlings, yet Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang who do not have they did not have enough water in the fields enough rainwater storage also mentioned a when it was time to transplant the seedlings. As lack of drinking water between March and a result, these households decided on broad- May.

castingIn both of seed study instead, sites, community yet this resulted leaders in indicated a that, in recent years, there has been a lowerperceived harvest decrease yield compared in rainfall to intensity. transplanting Further, monsoonIn both rains communities, previously rice began seeding in May, usually but andsince a higher it has cost now for become the seed increasingly quantity used.uncertain asbegins to when in June-July, they will atbegin, a time there when is householdsa lack of sufficient water for planting rice seedlings in July. Indeed, households in Sai Na Wang stated in both communities have to rely on uncertain that the most critical water shortage occurs between May and July, at the beginning of the rice In cultivation both study season sites, (Figure community 19), while leaders Wang Luangrainfall households to begin stated planting. that the Some most households critical indicatedperiod of that, water in recent shortage years, was there between has beenJune anda Augustthat had (Figure begun 20). seed Some planting families in in paddy both Saifields perceivedNa Wang decrease and Wang in rainfall Luang intensity. who do not Further, have enoughin late rainwater June were storage later forcedalso mentioned to purchase a lack water of drinking water between March and May. monsoon rains previously began in May, but from commercial water suppliers to irrigate

sinceIn bothit has communities, now become riceincreasingly seeding uncertainusually begins their in June-July, plots due atto a water time shortages.when households in as bothto when communities they will have begin, to relythere on is uncertain a lack of rainfall to begin planting. Some households that sufficienthad begun waterseed planting for planting in paddy rice fields seedlings in late in June were later forced to purchase water from commercial water suppliers to irrigate their plots due to water shortages.

FigureFigure 19. 19. Periods Periods of of water water shortage, shortage, Sai Sai Na Na Wang Wang

58 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 20. Periods of water shortage, Wang Luang

In both study sites, community leaders indicated that, in recent years, there has been a perceived decrease in rainfall intensity. Further, monsoon rains previously began in May, but since it has now become increasingly uncertain as to when they will begin, there is a lack of sufficient water for planting rice seedlings in July. Indeed, households in Sai Na Wang stated that the most critical water shortage occurs between May and July, at the beginning of the rice cultivation season (Figure 19), while Wang Luang households stated that the most critical period of water shortage was between June and August (Figure 20). Some families in both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang who do not have enough rainwater storage also mentioned a lack of drinking water between March and May.

In both communities, rice seeding usually begins in June-July, at a time when households in both communities have to rely on uncertain rainfall to begin planting. Some households that had begun seed planting in paddy fields in late June were later forced to purchase water from commercial water suppliers to irrigate their plots due to water shortages.

Figure 19. Periods of water shortage, Sai Na Wang

Figure 20. Periods of water shortage, Wang Luang Figure 20. Periods of water shortage, Wang Luang Drought impacts 42

The communities at Sai Na Wang and Wang The farmer groups most vulnerable to the Luang experience the impacts of drought at impacts of drought were those with land different stages of the crop season. The majority holdings of or less than 1.6 ha (Figure 22). of Sai Na Wang farmers reported that they often These farmers are typically low-income groups, experienced a lack of water during the rice earning THB20,000-40,000 per annum and seedling and transplanting stages, while farmers who rely on monocrop rice cultivation for their in Wang Luang reported facing water shortages livelihood. This group also stated that they across ploughing, seedling, transplanting and could not afford to build water ponds; hence, reproductive stages (Figure 21). during severe drought periods they had only minimal rice yields, not even enough for family consumption.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 59 Drought impacts

The communities at Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang experience the impacts of drought at different stages of the crop season. The majority of Sai Na Wang farmers reported that they often experienced a lack of water during the rice seedling and transplanting stages, while farmers in Wang Luang reported facing water shortages across ploughing, seedling, transplanting and reproductive stages (Figure 21). Drought impacts

Figure 21. Rice cultivation regime stages and drought impact

The farmer groups most vulnerable to the impacts of drought were those with land holdings of or less than 1.6 ha (Figure 22). These farmers are typically low-income groups, earning THB20,000-40,000 per annum and who rely on monocrop rice cultivation for their livelihood. This group also stated that they could not afford to build water ponds; hence, during severe Figuredrought 21. periodsRice cultivation they had regime only minimal stages and rice drought yields, not impact even enough for family consumption. Figure 21. Rice cultivation regime stages and drought impact

The farmer groups most vulnerable to the impacts of drought were those with land holdings of or less than 1.6 ha (Figure 22). These farmers are typically low-income groups, earning THB20,000-40,000 per annum and who rely on monocrop rice cultivation for their livelihood. This group also stated that they could not afford to build water ponds; hence, during severe drought periods they had only minimal rice yields, not even enough for family consumption.

Figure 22. Drought impact according to farm size Figure 22. Drought impact according to farm size

Figure 22. Drought impact according to farm size

60 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Farmers with land holdings of over 3.2 ha were In cultivating a mixed crop, this farmer group usually wealthier, and stated that drought had was able to shift its dependence away from a relatively lower impact on their rice yield. rice cash cropping, and in many cases could Further, larger-scale land holdings of varying earn a daily income from selling surplus landscapes and moisture gradients were able produce to the local market as opposed to to disperse the climate risks, especially when the world rice market. Further, these farmers a water pond was located within the paddy tended to plan and use their land effectively. In fields. Financial losses and lower rice yields as a addition to farms of small holdings practising result of climate impacts were more frequently mixed cropping, some households who had experienced by small- and medium-sized farms experienced reduced yields as a result of (Figure 23), particularly for those practising rice drought were able to shift to an integrated monocropping. The exceptions to this are the mixed cropping system, and thus achieve a farmers who, even when farming land smaller greater dispersion of climate risk uncertainty. than 1.6 ha, experienced limited financial loss as a result of their integrated mix cropping and In general, both Sai Na Wang and Wang livestock-raising farming. These farmers were Luang farmers indicated that their livestock often members of local integrated agriculture were less sensitive to climate impacts (Figure groups who grew native red jasmine, Mali 24); however, some Sai Na Wang households 105 and Koh Kho 6 rice varieties, which are mentioned moderate impacts during the dry relatively tolerant to dry weather, instead of months, with instances of inadequate water commercial rice varieties, together with mixed for larger animals such as cows. crops of fruits and vegetables. The varieties of fruit and vegetables commonly grown by these farmers on the paddy ridge and near homes include coconut, eggplant, banana, mango, cork wood, guava, chili, ginger and onion. In addition to these crops, many mixed- cropping households also raised livestock such as chickens, ducks and pigs, and others also reared catfish and frogs in cement containers.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 61

Farmers with land holdings of over 3.2 ha were usually wealthier, and stated that drought had a relatively lower impact on their rice yield. Further, larger-scale land holdings of varying landscapes and moisture gradients were able to disperse the climate risks, especially when a water pond was located within the paddy fields. Financial losses and lower rice yields as a result of climate impacts were more frequently experienced by small- and medium-sized farms (Figure 23), particularly for those practising rice monocropping. The exceptions to this are the farmers who, even when farming land smaller than 1.6 ha, experienced limited financial loss as a result of their integrated mix cropping and livestock-raising farming. These farmers were often members of local integrated agriculture groups who grew native red jasmine, Mali 105 and Koh Kho 6 rice varieties, which are relatively tolerant to dry weather, instead of commercial rice varieties, together with mixed crops of fruits and vegetables. The varieties of fruit and vegetables commonly grown by these farmers on the paddy ridge and near homes include coconut, eggplant, banana, mango, cork wood, guava, chili, ginger and onion. In addition to these crops, many mixed-cropping households also raised livestock such as chickens, ducks and pigs, and others also reared catfish and frogs in cement containers.

In cultivating a mixed crop, this farmer group was able to shift its dependence away from rice cash cropping, and in many cases could earn a daily income from selling surplus produce to the local market as opposed to the world rice market. Further, these farmers tended to plan and use their land effectively. In addition to farms of small holdings practising mixed cropping, some households who had experienced reduced yields as a result of drought were able to shift to an integrated mixed cropping system, and thus achieve a greater dispersion of climate risk uncertainty.

In general, both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang farmers indicated that their livestock were less sensitive to climate impacts (Figure 24); however, some Sai Na Wang households mentioned moderate impacts during the dry months, with instances of inadequate water for larger animals such as cows.

FigureFigure 23. 23. Farm Farm size size relative relative to to financial financial loss loss

FigureFigure 24. 24. Impact Impact of of drought drought on on livestock livestock

The project survey on household water consumption indicated that in both Sai Na Wang and TheWang project Luang, survey households on were household less affected water by droughtbore wells for driedtheir water up in periodsuses (Figure of drought, 25), with most consumptionthe majority indicatedof households that being in both able Saito access Na borehouseholds water and were groundwater. able to utilise If the groundwaterbore wells Wangdried and up Wang in periods Luang, of households drought, most were households less instead; were ablehowever, to utilize households groundwater unable instead; to do so however, households unable to do so reported a lack of water for personal hygiene and affected by drought for their water uses (Figure reported a lack of water for personal hygiene household cleaning, particularly in March and April. 25), with the majority of households being able and household cleaning, particularly in March to access bore water and groundwater. If the and April.

62 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 25. Impact of drought on household water consumption

Figure 24. Impact of drought on livestock

The project survey on household water consumption indicated that in both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang, households were less affected by drought for their water uses (Figure 25), with the majority of households being able to access bore water and groundwater. If the bore wells dried up in periods of drought, most households were able to utilize groundwater instead; however, households unable to do so reported a lack of water for personal hygiene and household cleaning, particularly in March and April.

FigureFigure 25. 25. Impact Impact of of drought drought on on household household water water consumptionconsumption

Flood impacts Households who have experienced recurrent flooding in recent years stated that the Rice paddies of some upper Young Sub-basin inundation greatly affected access to drinking households in Sai Na Wang flooded in July, water as well as water for daily household use because their fields are located near the and for agricultural purposes and livestock Young River. The 27 households whose paddy (Figure 28). fields have flooded stated that flooding had increased in recent years and caused damage Unlike in a period of drought where households45 to their crops, with the water level remaining were able to seek water from bore wells high in the paddy field until September and groundwater, flooding severely limited (Figure 26). access to such water sources. While only two households in Sai Na Wang reported heavy Similarly, Wang Luang farmers, whose paddy impact from flooding, eight households stated fields are close to Young River lower reach, that flooding was stressful for their household are at a greater risk of flooding; some farmers’ members; conversely, many more households paddy fields flooding in August and September in Wang Luang reported experiencing heavy (Figure 27). Many households in Wang Luang impacts from flooding (Figure 29). In four stated that the inundation of water had households in Sai Na Wang, the rice paddy become increasing common in recent years. fields flooded for a relatively short period, in comparison with households in Wang Luang whose paddy fields flooded a longer periods,

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 63 some of whom reported flooding for longer stage during January to February. Some than one month. The average financial losses farmers were able to resolve this issue through reported as a result of flooding for households in the building of ponds to store flood water Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang were THB18,100 for use in the dry season, while others who and THB21,642 per year, respectively. had experienced minimal to moderate flood impacts were able to improve their access to Some households in Wang Luang who water by constructing interconnected water have experienced inundations from flood channels across their paddy fields, which waters over consecutive years switched from would ease the water logging and channel cultivatingFlood impacts rice in the wet season to the dry water back into the Young River. Another season, in late November-December. Some dry- adaptation technique undertaken by farmers seasonRice paddies rice growers of some continued upper Young to face Sub-basin water householdsis to shift infrom Sai rice Na transplanting Wang flooded to in the July, broad- scarcity,because particularlytheir fields are in located the rice near reproductive the Young River.casting The cultivation 27 households method. whose paddy fields have flooded stated that flooding had increased in recent years and caused damage to their crops, with the water level remaining high in the paddy field until September (Figure 26).

FigureFigure 26. 26. Impacts of flood on on Sai Sai Na Na Wang Wang households households

64 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 27 Impact of floods on Wang Luang households

Households who have experienced recurrent flooding in recent years stated that the inundation greatly affected access to drinking water as well as water for daily household use and for agricultural purposes and livestock (Figure 28).

Flood impacts

Rice paddies of some upper Young Sub-basin households in Sai Na Wang flooded in July, because their fields are located near the Young River. The 27 households whose paddy fields have flooded stated that flooding had increased in recent years and caused damage to their crops, with the water level remaining high in the paddy field until September (Figure 26).

Figure 26. Impacts of flood on Sai Na Wang households

Similarly, Wang Luang farmers, whose paddy fields are close to Young River lower reach, are at a greater risk of flooding; some farmers’ paddy fields flooding in August and September (Figure 27). Many households in Wang Luang stated that the inundation of water had become increasing common in recent years. Unlike in a period of drought where households were able to seek water from bore wells and groundwater, flooding severely limited access to such water sources. While only two households in Sai Na Wang reported heavy impact from flooding, eight households stated that flooding was stressful for their household members; conversely, many more households in Wang Luang reported experiencing heavy impacts from flooding (Figure 29). In four households in Sai Na Wang, the rice paddy fields flooded for a relatively short period, in comparison with households in Wang Luang whose paddy fields flooded a longer periods, some of whom reported flooding for longer than one month. The average financial losses reported as a result of flooding for households in Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang were THB18,100 and THB21,642 per year, respectively.

Some households in Wang Luang who have experienced inundations from flood waters over consecutive years switched from cultivating rice in the wet season to the dry season, in late November-December. Some dry-season rice growers continued to face water scarcity, particularly in the rice reproductive stage during January to February. Some farmers were able to resolve this issue through the building of ponds to store flood water for use in the dry season, while others who had experienced minimal to moderate flood impacts were able to improve their access to water by constructing interconnected water channels across their paddy fields, which would ease the water logging and channel water back into the Young Figure River. 27. Another Impact ofadaptation floods on technique Wang Luang undertaken households by farmers is to shift from rice transplanting Figureto the 27 broad-casting Impact of floods cultivation on Wang method. Luang households

Figure 28. Impact of flood on community livelihoods Figure 28. Impact of flood on community livelihoods

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 65

Figure 29. Flood impact on rice farmers Figure 29. Flood impact on rice farmers Community adaptation to climate impacts Sai Na Wang initiatives Community adaptation to climate Organization (Sai Na Wang SAO) introduced a impactsThe above information outlines the vulnerabilityseries of households of water and to climate soil conservation impacts in activities.Sai Na SaiWang Na Wang and Wanginitiatives Luang, and the adaptive measurThees Sai taken Na Wang at the SAO household has focused level, such on water as converting from monocropping to integrated farming practices in order to cope with the resources management by building a series of impacts of both flood and drought. At the community level, results from project in-depth Theinterviews, above focus information group discussions outlines and community the small group weirs meetings along the showed local canals that both that Sai are Na sub- vulnerabilityWang and of Wang households Luanng to communitiesclimate impacts have bothtributaries implemented to the Young some climate River main adaptation channel in actions. Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang, and the (Figure 30).

adaptive measures taken at the household The Sai Na Wang community initiated an environmental restoration scheme, while the Sai Na level,Wang such Sub-district as converting Administrative from monocropping Organization Prior(Sai Na to Wang the construction SAO) introduced of these a series weirs, of to integratedwater and soilfarming conservation practices activities. in order to The cope Sai Nathe Wang Sai SAO Na Wanghas focused SAO on undertook water resources a series withmanagement the impacts by of building both flood a series and ofdrought. small weirsAt ofalong community the local canals consultation that are sub-tributaries and discussion to the Young River main channel (Figure 30). the community level, results from project in- meetings, eventually reaching a consensus depthPrior interviews, to the construction focus group of discussions these weirs, and the on Sai the Na Wangstructural SAO design undertook of the a series weir. of The communitycommunity group consultation meetings andshowed discussion that both meetings, structure eventually of the reaching weir consists a consensus of concrete on the and Sai structuralNa Wang design and Wang of the Luanng weir. The communities structure of thewood, weir consists which can of concrete be easily and managed wood, which by the can be easily managed by the community; the SAO establishes community groups to manage haveand maintain both implemented them. The weirs some have been climate effective community; in reducing the the SAO impacts establishes of flooding community while adaptationalso serving actions. as water storage for community usegroups in the todry manage season. However, and maintain recently, them. as Thea result of an extremely dry season in Sai Na Wang,weirs no water have has been been effectivestored in the in weir, reducing due to the high evaporation and rapid seepage. The Sai Na Wang community initiated an impacts of flooding while also serving as water

environmental restoration scheme, while storage for community use in the dry season. the Sai Na Wang Sub-district Administrative However, recently, as a result of an extremely

66 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

dry season in Sai Na Wang, no water has been an integrated farming network, introducing stored in the weir, due to high evaporation and farmers to mixed cropping techniques, rapid seepage. livestock raising and market management.

The Sai Na Wang SAO also encouraged villagers Further, the SAO issued a regulation banning to build water ponds on their land (Figure 31) the burning of dry rice stalk, which was often under a shared payment scheme where the carried out by farmers after the harvest; now it SAO would share the cost of construction with encourages farmers to conserve the rice stalks the household. These ponds were created for as organic compost to retain soil moisture such several functions as water storage and content. The SAO also promoted the use of supply facilities in the dry season, for raising animal manure and organic liquid fertilizer fish and poultry, and for growing vegetables for farm use in the replacement of chemical around the perimeter. equivalents. In addition, the SAO organised a seed exchange to address the scarcity of Since the local ambient temperature in Sai Na native seed varieties, where households are Wang has increased markedly in recent years, able to attend in the first week of February and the Sai Na Wang SAO also launched a water- exchange seed varieties with each other. plant-soil conservation scheme. Beginning with nature restoration on public land, the project replanted native trees and built a small reservoir (Figure 32). The SAO also established

Figure 30. A small weir constructed in Sai Na Wang for flood management and water retention Figure 30. A small weir constructed in Sai Na Wang for flood management and water retention

The Final SaiReport of Na the First Wang Batch Project SAO in Thailand also encouraged villagers to build water ponds on their land 67 (Figure 31) under a shared payment scheme where the SAO would share the cost of construction with the household. These ponds were created for such several functions as water storage and supply facilities in the dry season, for raising fish and poultry, and for growing vegetables around the perimeter.

Since the local ambient temperature in Sai Na Wang has increased markedly in recent years, the Sai Na Wang SAO also launched a water-plant-soil conservation scheme. Beginning with nature restoration on public land, the project replanted native trees and built a small reservoir (Figure 32). The SAO also established an integrated farming network, introducing farmers to mixed cropping techniques, livestock raising and market management.

Further, the SAO issued a regulation banning the burning of dry rice stalk, which was often carried out by farmers after the harvest; now it encourages farmers to conserve the rice stalks as organic compost to retain soil moisture content. The SAO also promoted the use of animal manure and organic liquid fertilizer for farm use in the replacement of chemical equivalents. In addition, the SAO organized a seed exchange to address the scarcity of native seed varieties, where households are able to attend in the first week of February and exchange seed varieties with each other.

Figure 31. Water pond constructed in the paddy field, Sai Na Wang

Figure 30. A small weir constructed in Sai Na Wang for flood management and water retention

The Sai Na Wang SAO also encouraged villagers to build water ponds on their land (Figure 31) under a shared payment scheme where the SAO would share the cost of construction with the household. These ponds were created for such several functions as water storage and supply facilities in the dry season, for raising fish and poultry, and for growing vegetables around the perimeter.

Figure 31. Water pond constructed in the paddy field, Sai Na Wang Figure 31. Water pond constructed in the paddy field, Sai Na Wang

Figure 32. The work of the Sai Na Wang community on the water-plant-soil conservation initiative Figure 32. The work of the Sai Na Wang community on the water-plant-soil conservation initiative

Wang Luang initiatives 68 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation The geographical location of the Wang Luang community downstream of the Young Sub- Basin places households at a higher risk of flooding in the monsoon season. To assist community members in adapting to the impacts of this flooding, the Wang Luang Municipality initiated a community fishery programme, promoting the availability of fish stocks migrating downstream. The Wang Luang Municipality supported farmers in catching fish to be sold within the community and to nearby villagers as a means of financial compensation for those whose paddy fields were inundated with flood waters (Figure 33). The Municipality also encouraged households to preserve fish as a valued-added product for the market.

Figure 33 Local fish market, Wang Luang

Figure 32. The work of the Sai Na Wang community on the water-plant-soil conservation initiative

Wang Luang initiatives

The geographical location of the Wang Luang community downstream of the Young Sub- Basin places households at a higher risk of flooding in the monsoon season. To assist community membersWang Luang in adapting initiatives to the impactsfish stocks ofmigrating this downstream. flooding, The Wang the Wang Luang Municipality initiated a community fishery programme,Luang Municipality promoting supported farmers the availability in of fish stocks migrating Thedownstream. geographical location The of theWang Wang LuangLuang catching Municipality fish to be sold supportedwithin the community farmers in catching community downstream of the Young Sub- and to nearby villagers as a means of financial fish to be sold Basin within places the households community at a higher risk and of tocompensation nearby for villagers those whose as paddy a fields means of financial compensation forflooding those whosein the paddy monsoon fieldsseason. were To assist were inundated inundated with with flood flood waters (Figurewaters 33). (Figure 33). The Municipality alsocommunity encouraged members households in adapting to to the preserve The Municipality fish also as encouraged a valued-added households product for the impacts of this flooding, the Wang Luang to preserve fish as a valued-added product for market. Municipality initiated a community fishery the market. programme, promoting the availability of

Figure 33. Local fish market, Wang Luang Figure 33 Local fish market, Wang Luang Since households in Wang Luang also face the Nong Boh public reservoir. The reservoir water shortages in the rice cultivation period, also acts as a fish conservation site, whose the Municipality set up a diversion canal fish larvae supply the stock for household fish scheme to allocate water to households from ponds (Figure 34). 50

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 69

Since households in Wang Luang also face water shortages in the rice cultivation period, the Municipality set up a diversion canal scheme to allocate water to households from the Nong Boh public reservoir. The reservoir also acts as a fish conservation site, whose fish larvae supply the stock for household fish ponds (Figure 34).

FigureFigure 34. 34. NongBoh NongBoh publicpublic reservoir,reservoir, Wang Wang Luang Luang

The Wang Luang Municipality also placed a priority on the restoration of native vegetation, The Wang Luang Municipality also placed a working in consultation with the community to thesel ect Municipality a site within did a notlocal offer temple any to undertakescheme plantpriority conservation. on the restoration This communityof native vegetation, restorati onadvocating project also integrated serves as mix a farmingspiritual methods, place where manyworking community in consultation activities with and the religious community rituals farmers are organized. in favour Through of this techniquethe restoration sought group, a to community select a site forest within group a local was temple established, to support which setfrom up a community a tree databank, integrated locating farming and recordingundertake the plant remaining conservation. large This trees community in the communitynetwork. with registration tags indicating the locationrestoration and projectinformation also serves(Figure as 35). a spiritual place where many community activities and Summary of household hazard- Furthermore,religious rituals the areWang organized. Luang ThroughMunicipality the hasimpact-vulnerability-adaptation promoted a special rice seed variety that is tolerant to flood, supporting households with access to seed at an affordable price. Since the restoration group, a community forest group Drought conditions Municipality did not offer any scheme advocating integrated mix farming methods, farmers in favourwas established, of this technique which set sought up a tree support databank, from a community integrated farming network. locating and recording the remaining large Identification of household-level hazard- trees in the community with registration tags impact-vulnerability-adaptive capacity Summaryindicating the of locationhousehold and information hazard-impact-vulnerability-adaptation (Figure was summarised through the collection of Drought35). conditions household survey data and the organization of community workshops in order to discuss and IdentificationFurthermore, the of Wang household-level Luang Municipality hazard-impact-vulnerability-adaptive verify the results. The climate risks capacity faced by was summarizedhas promoted through a special therice seed collection variety that of is household households survey in both data study and sites the are organizationincreasingly of community workshops in order to discuss and verify the results. The climate risks faced by tolerant to flood, supporting households with severe droughts and floods since 2003. Some households in both study sites are increasingly severe droughts and floods since 2003. Some access to seed at an affordable price. Since households have already begun to take actions households have already begun to take actions to adapt to climate change, while others are beginning to implement adaptive measures. Tables 1 and 2 list the households who have

successfully taken action to adapt and cope with the impactsLocal Demonstration of flood Projects and on drought. Climate Change Adaptation 70

to adapt to climate change, while others are successfully taken action to adapt and cope beginning to implement adaptive measures. with the impacts of flood and drought. Tables 1 and 2 list the households who have

Figure 35. A tree tagged for the community tree databank, Wang Luang Figure 35. A tree tagged for the community tree databank, Wang Luang

The drought impacts experienced by season. Further vulnerability is experienced Thecommunities drought impacts in Sai Na experienced Wang and Wang by communities Luang where in households Sai Na Wang who and rely Wang on rainwater Luang for have beenhave particularly been particularly severe severe in some in some years, years, with their households drinking water facing supply water are scarcity faced with issues. Householdswith households most vulnerable facing water to scarcity the impacts issues. ofwater drought shortages are those in the whose dry months. paddy Table fields 1 are locatedHouseholds near the most Young vulnerable River, and to the as impactsa result of detailsflooding information experienced relating in the monsoon to household season, haveof shiftdrought to riceare those cultivation whose paddyon the fields dry season. are impacts, Further vulnerability vulnerability and is adaptiveexperienced actions where households who rely on rainwater for their drinking water supply are faced with water located near the Young River, and as a result in response to the impacts of drought in the shortages in the dry months. Table 1 details information relating to household impacts, vulnerabilityof flooding and experienced adaptive actionsin the in responsemonsoon study to communities. the impacts of drought in the study communities.season, have shift to rice cultivation on the dry

Table 1. Climate hazards, impacts, vulnerable households and adaptive actions

Climate Impacts Vulnerable Adaptationactions hazard households Severe There is an adequate  Those with lowland Constructing water storage drought and water supply in rice paddy fields near the ponds on farmland water paddy field for river channel shortages Final Report in of the Firsthouseholds Batch Project in Thailand  Those without ponds 71 the dry season undertaking dry or other water season cultivation reserves available in their paddy fields Inadequate water  Those with lowland  Constructing water supply causes stress paddy fields near the storage ponds on on rice seedlings river channel farmland  Those without ponds  Utilizing surface and or other water groundwater resources reserves available in  Constructing their paddy fields interconnected channels from storage pond to irrigate paddy fields There is sparse and  Those with lowland  Constructing water unhealthy rice paddy fields with storage ponds on farm

Table 1 Climate hazards, impacts, vulnerable households and adaptive actions

Vulnerable Climate hazard Impacts Adaptation actions households Severe drought There is an adequate • Those with Constructing water and water water supply in lowland paddy storage ponds on shortages in the rice paddy field fields near the farmland dry season for households river channel undertaking dry • Those without season cultivation ponds or other water reserves available in their paddy fields Inadequate water • Those with • Constructing water supply causes stress lowland paddy storage ponds on on rice seedlings fields near the farmland river channel • Utilizing surface • Those without and groundwater ponds or other resources water reserves • Constructing available in interconnected their paddy channels from fields storage pond to irrigate paddy fields There is sparse and • Those with • Constructing water unhealthy rice growth lowland paddy storage ponds on from broad- cast rice fields with poor farm land seeds soil quality • Utilizing surface • Those who and groundwater burn dry rice resources stalk in their • Switching from paddy fields burning rice stalks after harvest to retaining stalks to preserving soil moisture and retain soil moisture

72 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Vulnerable Climate hazard Impacts Adaptation actions households There is water stress Those who grow Shift from growing crops on vegetable gardens vegetables crops near the household close to their shelter shelter to growing without any available vegetable crops on the water sources edge of a water storage available pond Limited water is • Those farmers • Constructing water available for the who rely on storage ponds on raising of cattle, rainfall as their farm land poultry and pigs key water • Utilising surface source and ground water • Those with no resources water reserved within their paddy field There is a loss of • Those with • Seeking climate rice yields in the dry lowland paddy information from season cultivation, as fields who have government a greater investment limited access agencies to income ratio to climate • Exploring the information possibility of • Those who converting to mixed grow rice as a cropping from rice monocrop in monocropping the dry season • Transforming • Those whose completely from paddies are monocropping prone to heavy to an integrated pest attacks farming system • Those with no water reserves available

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 73 Vulnerable Climate hazard Impacts Adaptation actions households There is a limited Those with an Seeking greater storage supply of rainwater insufficient quantity capacity to store an as a drinking water of rainwater adequate amount of source containers for water rainwater (at least four storage months supply of drinking water) There is not enough Those with no Seeking support from the water for general groundwater pumps local government to build household use and/or bore wells groundwater pumps and bore wells

Rainfall variability and flood conditions

For both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang This varying rainfall pattern has been occurring communities, the impact of changing weather every other year, causing hardship for farmers patterns not only results in flooding, but and their rice seed cultivation plans. Table also unreliable and variable rainfall patterns. 2 details information relating to household Typically, households in both communities impacts, vulnerability and adaptive actions as wait until they have enough rainwater to a result of rainfall variability and flooding in plant rice seedlings; however, in recent years, the study communities. variability in rainfall has left households with a shortage of water at the beginning of the rice cultivation calendar. Community farming leaders have observed that rainfall patterns have shifted, so that there is heavy rainfall in late May and early June; however , this dissipates in July and August when there is less intense rainfall, and heavy rain returns in late August to early October.

74 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Table 2 Household climate hazard-impact-vulnerability-adaptation as a result of rainfall variability and flood

Climate hazard Impacts Vulnerable households Adaptationactions Shifting rainfall There are • Those with high Constructing water patterns in the insufficient water terrain rice paddy storage ponds on farm monsoon season levels in the fields land paddy fields • Those with less access to climate information Rice seedlings • Those with high • Allocating water began to partly terrain rice paddy from public dry out fields reservoirs and canals • Those planting to pump to paddy rice seedlings early fields monsoonal period • Utilizing surface and groundwater resources

Transplanted • Those with high Altering current seedling rice seedlings terrain rice paddy transplanting schedules were unhealthy fields to later in the monsoon because of low • Those with no water calendar water levels reserve available • Considering a within their paddy change in seed fields variety to a more • Those who grow drought-tolerant commercial seed type varieties that are less • Constructing water tolerant to drought storage ponds on farm land or allow water to be pumped from the canal into the paddy furrow

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 75 Climate hazard Impacts Vulnerable households Adaptationactions Water levels • Those with both • Constructing water in the paddy high terrain and storage ponds or fields change lowland paddy fields enabling access to from insufficient • Those with paddy bore-wells on high during the mid- fields where no terrain farm lands monsoon season irrigation canals/ • Improving water to flooding furrows/ or dykes flow in the lowland levels in the are available paddocks, which late monsoonal requires paddy fields season Farmers harvest • Those with both • Reforming farmland lower yields of high terrain and m a n a g e m e n t rice and receive lowland paddy fields with the use of only marginal • Those whose paddy c o n s e r v a t i v e earning from the fields have a low techniques, such market nutrient content as planting water • Those with no water conservation plants, reserve available e.g. banana on the within their paddy paddy ridge fields • Shifting to a mixed • Those whose and rotating crop paddies are prone to cycle heavy pest attacks • Applying compost • Those with small- instead of high priced scale farms (mostly chemical fertilizers ≤1.6 ha) • Shifting to an • Those with integrated farming less livelihood system by growing diversification mixed plants and raising animals There is a Those with an insufficient Seeking greater storage limited supply quantity of rainwater capacity for an adequate of rainwater for containers for water amount of rainwater drinking and for storage household use

76 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Climate hazard Impacts Vulnerable households Adaptationactions Households are Those with small-scale • Seeking support stressed as a farms from community result of flooding groups, neighbours and relatives • Consulting local health officers

Climate change adaptation policy threat to development, without discussing the and planning implementation of adaptive measures.

Support for adaptive actions undertaken by Community Participatory Action households in both Sai Na Wang and Wang Research (Tai Bann research) Luang communities has mainly been provided by the relevant local government agencies, Community Participatory Action Research supported by local government policies, plans (CPAR) (or Tai Bann research as it is commonly and activities. The Sai Na Wang SAO and the called in Thailand1) was selected for the CCAI Wang Luang Municipality have been forced to project to allow for mutual learning and change and develop appropriate adaptation knowledge sharing between communities and plans and actions as a result of recurring researchers. In employing the CPAR method, impacts on their communities from droughts not only is the CCAI project team able to and floods. gather information and knowledge about the experiences and actions of households, but Conversely, there has been limited support community members are also able to learn from or development of adaptive measures by researchers, thus promoting new knowledge provincial and central government agencies. and experiences benefitting both sides in the Indeed, according to a review of policy and context of the research enquiry. Furthermore, planning documents of both Kalasin and Roi-Et the aim of CPAR in the CCAI project is to build Provincial Development Plans and of National the capacity of community groups to explore Plans, there is no explicit incorporation information on climate change impacts and of climate change adaptation issues. The adaptation activities in their own community, National Development Policy touches on and to empower community members through the issue of climate change as a limitation or their participation.

1 Tai Bann also means ‘ordinary’ or ‘lay person’ in Thai; thus, Tai Bann research refers to the efforts of many development agencies to work with communities when conducting research for the benefit of the community.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 77 CPAR activities were conducted in both Sai Na Wang and Wang Luang communities, with 31 and 27 villagers, respectively, volunteering to participate in research activities with the CCAI field team. The first stage of research was to consult with community groups to identify and learn about local farmers, referred to as ‘farmer champions’ who have taken specific actions to adapt to climate impacts. The implementation process of CPAR and associated activities are outlined in Table 3.

78 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Table 3 The Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) implementation process TableTable 3. The 3. The Community Community Participatory Participatory Action Action ResearchResearch (CPAR)(CPAR) implementation implementation process process

TableTable 3. The3.Activities The Community Community Participatory ParticipatorySai Action Na Action Wang Research Research (CPAR) (CPAR) implementation implementationWang Luang process process ActivitiesActivities SaiSai Na Na Wang Wang WangWang Luang Luang Step 1: Meetings were StepStep 1: Meetings 1: Meetings were were ActivitiesActivitiesheld with communitySai Sai Na NaWang Wang WangWang Luang Luang StepStepheld 1: Meetingsheld 1:with Meetings with community community were were stakeholders to inform heldheldstakeholders with stakeholderswith community community to informto inform andand andconsult consult consult them them them stakeholdersstakeholdersregarding to informto action inform andand regardingconsultregarding consult them action them action researchresearch aims aims and and to to regardingregardingresearch action action aims and draftdraft a plan a plan of activities.of activities. researchresearchto draft aims aims a and plan and to of to draftdraft activities.a plan a plan of activities.of activities.

Step 2: Preliminary StepStepcommunity 2: 2:Preliminary Preliminary surveys community surveys StepStep community2: Preliminarywere2: Preliminary conducted surveys to were conducted to communitycommunityobtain surveys information surveys on obtainwere informationconducted toon werewere conductedthe conducted local ecosystem,to to theobtain localland-use, informationecosystem, livelihoods, on obtainobtain information information on on land-use,theclimate local livelihoods, ecosystem,change risk and thethe local local ecosystem, ecosystem, climateland-use,vulnerabilities. change livelihoods, risk and land-use,land-use,vulnerabilities. livelihoods, livelihoods, climate change risk climateclimate change change risk risk and and and vulnerabilities. vulnerabilities.vulnerabilities. Step 3: Small group meetings were arranged Step 3: Small group meetingsto refine were the arranged plan of activities. StepStepto 3: refine Small3: Small the group plan group of meetingsmeetingsactivities. were were arranged arranged to refineto refine the the plan plan of of activities.activities.

Step 4: Meetings were held with local Stepgovernment 4: Meetings and were heldcommunity with local leaders to StepStepgovernment 4: Meetingsinform,4: Meetings consult and were were and seek heldheldcommunity with theirwith local supportlocal leaders for tothe refined plan of governmentgovernmentinform, consult and and and seek activities. communitycommunitytheir support leaders leaders for to the to inform,inform,refined consult consultplan andof and seek seek theirtheiractivities. support support for forthe the refinedrefined plan plan of of activities.activities. Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 79

58 58

TableTableTable 3. 3. The The Community Community ParticipatoryParticipatory ActionActionAction ResearchResearchResearch (CPAR)(CPAR) implementationimplementation processprocess

ActivitiesActivitiesActivities SaiSai NaNa WangWang WangWang LuangLuang StepStepStep 1: 1:1: Meetings Meetings were were heldheldheld with withwith community community stakeholdersstakeholdersstakeholders to to inform inform andandand consult consultconsult them them regardingregardingregarding action actionaction researchresearchresearch aims aimsaims and and to to draftdraftdraft a aa plan plan of of activities. activities.

StepStepStep 2: 2:2: Preliminary Preliminary communitycommunitycommunity surveys surveys werewerewere conducted conductedconducted to to obtainobtainobtain information information on on thethethe local locallocal ecosystem, ecosystem,ecosystem, land-use,land-use,land-use, livelihoods, livelihoods,livelihoods, climateclimateclimate change change risk risk and and vulnerabilities.vulnerabilities.vulnerabilities.

Activities Sai Na Wang Wang Luang StepStepStepStep 3: 3:3: 3:Small Small Small group group group meetingsmeetingsmeetingsmeetings were were were arranged arranged toto refinerefine thethe planplan ofof toto arranged refinerefine thethe to planplan refine of the activities.activities.activities. plan of activities.

StepStepStepStep 4: 4:4: 4:Meetings Meetings Meetings were were heldheldheldwere with withwith held local local with local governmentgovernment andand governmentgovernmentgovernment and and communitycommunity leadersleaders toto communitycommunitycommunity leaders leaders to to inform,inform, consultconsult andand seekseek inform,inform, consult consult and and seek theirtheirtheir support supportsupport forfor the the seek their support for refinedrefinedrefined plan planplan of of activities.activities.activities.the refined plan of activities.

TableTable 3 (cont.) 3 (cont.)

StepActivities Activities5: Meetings Sai NaSai Wang Na Wang WangWang Luang Luang Step 5:Step Meetings 5: Meetings were were were held to held toheld train to trainresearchers researchers trainon the onresearchers detailed the detailed research research onactivities. theactivities. detailed In these In these researchmeetings:meetings: activities.the key the issues key issues to be toinvestigated be investigated were were In these meetings: defined;defined; and discussions and discussions theon household keyon householdissues to bechampions investigatedchampions who couldwho could werecope cope withdefined; andwith adapt and and adapt to to the climatethe climate impacts impacts discussions on were wereheld. held. householdStep 6:Step Activities 6: championsActivities to to 5858 58 whoexplore explorecould in detail cope in detail the with the andcoping adaptcoping and adaptationto and the adaptation activitiesactivities of the of ‘farmer the ‘farmer climate impacts were champions’champions’ were were held.undertaken,undertaken, including: including: in-depthin-depth interviews interviews with with the farmerthe farmer champions; champions; detaileddetailed investigation investigation of of householdhousehold livelihood livelihood activitiesactivities of the of farmer the farmer champion;champion; and and 80 the creation the creation of an of an Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation activityactivity calendar calendar and a and a farm farmmap. map. Step 7:Step Meetings 7: Meetings were were held forheld the for farmer the farmer championschampions to present to present informationinformation about about their their activitiesactivities to the to the communitycommunity group group as a as a whole.whole.

LessonsLessons learnt learnt from from farmer farmer champions champions Sai NaSai Wang Na Wang farmer farmer champions: champions: In brief In brief

In theIn initial the initial stages stages of project of project research research at Sai at Na Sai Wang, Na Wang, community community members members identified identified a a numbernumber of households of households who who were were successfully successfully implementing implementing actions actions to adapt to adapt to climate to climate impacts.impacts. After After much much discussion, discussion, three three families families were were selected selected as farmer as farmer champion champion case casestudies, studies, representedrepresented by Mr by MrBumroon Bumroon Kayota, Kayota, Mr MrAmnat Amnat Wilasri Wilasri and and Mrs Mrs Wasana Wasana Homhuen Homhuen respectivelyrespectively in further in further CPAR CPAR research research activities. activities.

The incentiveThe incentive for adaptive for adaptive action action by these by these three three farmers farmers was thewas need the need to overcome to overcome the impacts the impacts of drought,of drought, such suchas reduced as reduced rice yieldrice yield due todue a tolack a lackof water of water for agriculture; for agriculture; all three all three find findit it difficultdifficult to sustain to sustain their theirincome income levels levels through through rice monocropping.rice monocropping.

59 59

Table 3 (cont.) ActivitiesTable 3 (cont.) Sai Na Wang Wang Luang Step Activities5: Meetings were Sai Na Wang Wang Luang held Stepto train 5: Meetingsresearchers were held to train researchers onTable the detailed 3 (cont.) research activities.on the In detailed these research ActivitiesTable 3 (cont.) Sai Na Wang Wang Luang meetings:activities. the keyIn these issues StepActivities 5: Meetings were Sai Na Wang Wang Luang to bemeetings: investigated the keywere issues held to train researchers defined;Step to5: be Meetingsand investigated discussions were were defined; and discussions ononheld thehousehold to detailed train researchers research on household activities.championson the detailed In who these research could champions who could meetings:copeactivities. with theInand these keyadapt issues to cope with and adapt to tothemeetings: be climate investigated the impacts key issueswere defined;to bethe investigated climateand discussions impacts were werewere held.Activities held. Sai Na Wang Wang Luang onStepdefined; household 6: Activities and discussions to Stepchampionson householdStep 6: Activities 6: whoActivities could to to exploreexplore in detail in detail the the explorecopechampions with in and detailwho adapt could the to copingcoping and adaptationand adaptation copingtheactivitiescope climate with and of and impacts the adaptation adapt ‘farmer to the climateactivities impacts of the ‘farmer activitieswerechampions’ champions’held. of were the were ‘farmer Stepundertaken,were 6: held. Activities including: to champions’Step undertaken,6: Activities were including: to explorein-depthin-depth in interviews detail interviews the with with undertaken,explore in detail including: the copingthe farmerthe and farmer champions;adaptation champions; coping and adaptation in-depthactivitiesdetaileddetailed investigation ofinterviews theinvestigation ‘farmer of of activities of the ‘farmer champions’householdhousehold livelihood were livelihood withchampions’ the farmer were undertaken,activitiesactivities of including:the of farmerthe farmer champions;undertaken, including: detailed in-depthchampion;champion; interviews and and with investigationin-depth interviews of with the the farmer creation the creation champions; of an of an householdactivitythe farmeractivity calendar champions; livelihoodcalendar and anda a detaileddetailed investigation ofof activitieshouseholdfarmfarm map. map. oflivelihood the farmer householdStep 7: livelihood Meetings were champion;activitiesStep 7: Meetings of andthe farmer thewere activitiesheld forof thethe farmerfarmer champion;held for the and farmer creationchampion;champions of and an toactivity present championsthe creation to of present an calendar the creationinformation and of a an aboutfarm their activityinformation calendar about and their a activitiesactivityactivities calendar to the to the and a map.farm map. communityfarmcommunity map. group group as a as a Step 7: 7: Meetings Meetings were were whole.Step whole.7: Meetings were heldheld forfor the the farmer farmer championschampions to to present present informationinformation about theirtheir informationactivities to the about activities to the theircommunity activities group to as the a communityLessons group learnt as a from farmer champions whole.Lessons learnt from farmer champions communitywhole.Sai Na group Wang asfarmer a champions: In brief Sai Na Wang farmer champions: In brief whole.

In the initial stages of project research at Sai Na Wang, community members identified a In the initial stages of project research at Sai Na Wang, community members identified a number of households who were successfully implementing actions to adapt to climate number of households who were successfully implementing actions to adapt to climate impacts. After much discussion, three families were selected as farmer champion case studies, impacts. After much discussion, three families were selected as farmer champion case studies, Lessonsrepresented learnt byfrom Mr farmer Bumroon champions Kayota, Mr Amnat Wilasri and Mrs Wasana Homhuen Lessonsrepresentedrespectively learnt by in Mrfrom further Bumroon farmer CPAR Kayota,researchchampions activities. Mr Amnat Wilasri and Mrs Wasana Homhuen SairespectivelySai NaNa Wang in farmer further champions:champions:CPAR research In In brief activities.brief

In theThe initial incentive stages for ofadaptive project action research by these at Sai three Na farmers Wang, was community the need to members overcome identified the impacts a InThe the incentive initial stagesfor adaptive of project action researchby these three at Sai farmers Na Wang, was the community need to overcome members the identified impacts a numberof drought, of households such as reduced who were rice yield successfully due to a implementinglack of water for actions agriculture; to adapt all tothree climate find it numberof drought, of such households as reduced who rice were yield successfully due to a lack implementing of water for agriculture; actions to all adapt three to find climate it impacts.difficult After to muchsustain discussion, their income three levels families through were rice selected monocropping. as farmer champion case studies, impacts.difficult toAfter sustain much their discussion, income levels three through families rice were monocropping. selected as farmer champion case studies, represented by Mr Bumroon Kayota, Mr Amnat Wilasri and Mrs Wasana Homhuen representedrespectively in by further Mr BumroonCPAR research Kayota, activities. Mr Amnat Wilasri and Mrs Wasana Homhuen respectively in further CPAR research activities. The incentive for adaptive action by these three farmers was the need to overcome the impacts59 Theof drought, incentive such for as adaptive reduced action rice yield by these due tothree a lack farmers of water was forthe agriculture;need to overcome all three the find impacts59 it of difficult drought, to sustainsuch as their reduced income rice levels yield through due to rice a lack monocropping. of water for agriculture; all three find it difficult to sustain their income levels through rice monocropping.

59 Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 59 81

Lessons learnt from farmer land and plans made for crop demands, the champions farmers planted a mixed crop of fruit trees, Sai Na Wang farmer champions: In brief rice and vegetables. The fruit and vegetable varieties planted were selected based on the In the initial stages of project research at Sai demand for produce in the local market. These Na Wang, community members identified a plants were also selected because they used number of households who were successfully less water and were therefore more tolerant to implementing actions to adapt to climate climate extremes and associated impacts. impacts. After much discussion, three families were selected as farmer champion case studies, The three farmer champions also focused on represented by Mr Bumroon Kayota, Mr Amnat raising animals, including free-range chickens, Wilasri and Mrs Wasana Homhuen respectively ducks, geese and pigs. As a result, the farmers in further CPAR research activities. had animal manure available for farm planting composts. The livelihoods of these families The incentive for adaptive action by these shifted from a reliance on rice monocropping three farmers was the need to overcome the and a once-a-year payment, to earning a impacts of drought, such as reduced rice yield year-round daily income from the sale of due to a lack of water for agriculture; all three mixed produce to local market. Through the find it difficult to sustain their income levels adaptive measures of restructuring their through rice monocropping. farmland to incorporate effective water storage management, and by reforming their Previously, all three farmer champions farming system, these farmers have been able together with other community members had to strengthen their resilience to drought and participated in training on integrated farming climate variability while also generating more methods by the Community Alternative household income. Box 1 summarizes key Agriculture Network. With this knowledge, concepts and practices of these Sai Na Wang these farmers had impetus to transform their farmer champions. farm practice into integrated farming systems.

82 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation Previously, all three farmer champions together with other community members had participated in training on integrated farming methods by the Community Alternative Agriculture Network. With this knowledge, these farmers had impetus to transform their farm practice into integrated farming systems.

Prior to transforming their farming system, the farmers had explored the market demand for produce on both a daily and seasonal scale, at local markets. They then restructured their paddy fields, building water storage ponds and subdividing their cultivating lands into several plots. Thus with reforms made to their land and plans made for crop demands, the farmers planted a mixed crop of fruit trees, rice and vegetables. The fruit and vegetable varieties planted were selected based on the demand for produce in the local market. These plants were also selected because they used less water and were therefore more tolerant to climate extremes and associated impacts.

The three farmer champions also focused on raising animals, including free-range chickens, ducks, geese and pigs. As a result, the farmers had animal manure available for farm planting composts. The livelihoods of these families shifted from a reliance on rice monocropping and a once-a-year payment, to earning a year-round daily income from the sale of mixed produce to local market. Through the adaptive measures of restructuring their farmland to incorporate effective water storage management, and by reforming their farming system, these farmers have been able to strengthen their resilience to drought and climate variability while also generating more household income. Box 1 summarizes key concepts and practices of these Sai Na Wang farmer champions. Box 1 Selected Sai Na Wang climate champions Previously, all three farmer champions together with other community members had participated in training on integrated farming methods by the Community Alternative Mr Bumroong Kayota Agriculture Network.Box With1 Selected this knowledge, Sai Na these Wang farmers climate had impetus champions to transform their farm practice into integrated farming systems. The impacts of drought led Mr Bumroong to act on the idea of shifting from rice monocropping to an integrated Prior to transformingMr BumroongKayota their farming system, the farmers had farmingexplored system. the marketHe restructured demand his for farmland by building a small reservoir of 1 ha; enlarging paddy ridge spaces; produce on both a daily and seasonal scale, at local markets.and constructing They then furrow restructured irrigation theirin his paddy fields. Mr Bumroong also redesigned his farming practices to focus paddy fields, building water storage ponds and subdividing theiron the cultivating ecosystem conceptlands into – growing several plant varieties and raising of animal species that thrived in an environment of plots. Thus withThe reforms impacts made of todrought their land led andMr Bumroongplans madeinterdependency, forto actcrop on demands, the supporting idea the of eachfarmers other. planted a mixedshifting crop offrom fruit rice trees, monocropping rice and vegetables. to an integrated The fruit andfarming vegetable system. varieties planted were selectedHe restructured based on the his demand farmland for produceby building in theMr alocal Bumroongsmall market. reservoir changed These from of plants 1 his ha; previous were practice of growing only one rice variety to growing four varieties in his 1.5 also selected becauseenlarging they paddy used ridge less waterspaces; and and were constructing thereforeha paddock. morefurrow On the tolerant irrigationrelatively to large climate paddy ridge, he grew mixed fruits, standing trees and vegetables, e.g. mango, jack fruit, bamboo, coconut, black wood, Burmese rosewood, pudding pine, broken bone, galangal and lemon grass. extremes and associatedin his paddy impacts. fields. Mr Bumroong also redesigned his farming practices to focus on the ecosystem conceptAfter –harvesting growing rice plant crops, his family grew two bean species together with other vegetables in the paddy field in The three farmer champions also focused on raising animals, including free-range chickens, varieties and raising of animal species thatorder thrived to enhance in an soil nitrogen levels. He applied organic fertilizers made from a mix of pig manure and mulch as ducks, geese and pigs. As a result, the farmers had animal manureplant compost. available for farm planting composts. The environmentlivelihoods of theseof interdependency, families shifted from supporting a reliance each on rice other. monocropping and a once-a-year payment, to earning a year-round daily incomeOne from of the the most sale effective of mixed functional produce aspects of the integrated method was a pig farm where the swine are raised with to local market.Mr Through Bumroong the adaptive changed measures from hisof restructuringpreviousa special practice their technique farmland of growing whereby to incorporate theyonly are fed with household food scraps in a deeper swine cage which reduces odour, effective waterone storage rice management,variety to growing and by four reforming varieties theirand in farming fromhis which1.5 system, ha manure paddock. these can be farmers used as compost. This local way of raising pigs is also environmentally friendly. have been ableOn to the strengthen relatively their large resilience paddy to ridge, drought he andgrew climate mixed variability fruits, standing while also generating moretrees household and vegetables, income. Box e.g. 1 mangosummarizes, jack key fruit,Around concepts bamboo, their andhomestead, coconut,practices Mr Bumroong’s of these family raises free-range native chickens, ducks and geese. His reservoir also Sai Na Wang farmer champions. had almost 50 fish species available to his family as food and for selling to the local market. black wood, Burmese rosewood, pudding pine, broken bone,

galangal and lemon grass. Mr Bumroong Kayota Box 1 Selected Sai Na Wang climate champions After harvesting rice crops, his family grew two bean species Mr BumroongKayotatogether with other vegetables in the paddy field in order to enhance soil nitrogen levels. He applied organic fertilizers made The impacts of drought led Mr Bumroong to act on the idea of shifting from rice monocroppingfrom a mix to anof integrated pig manure farming and system. mulch as plant compost. He restructured his farmland by building a small reservoir of 1 ha; enlarging paddy ridge spaces; and constructing furrow irrigation in his paddy fields. OneMr Bumroong of the alsomost redesigned effective his farming functional aspects of the integrated practices to focus onmethod the ecosystem was concept a pig –farm growing where plant the swine are raised with a special varieties and raisingtechnique of animal species whereby that thrived they in anare fed with household food scraps in a environment of interdependency, supporting each other. deeper swine cage which reduces odour, and from which manure Mr Bumroong changedcan from be hisused previous as compost. practice of growingThis lo onlycal way of raising pigs is also one rice variety to growing four varieties in his 1.5 ha paddock. On the relatively largeenvironmentally paddy ridge, he grew friendly. mixed fruits, standing trees and vegetables, e.g. mango, jack fruit, bamboo, coconut, black wood, Burmese rosewood, pudding pine, broken bone, Around their homestead, Mr Bumroong’s family raises free-range galangal and lemon grass. Mr BumroongMr Bumroong Kayota Kayota Mr Bumroong’s homestead native chickens, ducks and geese. His reservoir also had almost 50 Mr Bumroong’s homestead After harvesting ricefish crops, species his family available grew two bean to hisspecies family as food and for selling to the together with other vegetables in the paddy field in order to enhance soil nitrogenlocal levels. market. He applied organic fertilizers made from a mix of pig manure and mulch as plant compost.

One of the most effective functional aspects of the integrated 60 method was a pig farm where the swine are raised with a special technique whereby they are fed with household food scraps in a Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand deeper swine cage which reduces odour, and from which manure 83 can be used as compost. This local way of raising pigs is also environmentally friendly.

Around their homestead, Mr Bumroong’s family raises free-range native chickens, ducks and geese. His reservoir also had almost 50 Mr Bumroong’s homestead fish species available to his family as food and for selling to the local market.

Mr Bumroong’s products were in high demand at the local market, and his organic crop and meat even received a relatively higher price, allowing his Mrfamily Bumroong’s to earn more products income were than in high they demand had in at the local market, and his organic crop and meat even received a the past. relatively higher price, allowing his family to earn more income than they had in the past.

The mixed native andThe fruitmixed trees native ha veand the fruit additional trees have benefits the additional of benefits of conserving soil moisture and preventing pest attacks. conserving soil moistureBy applying and preventing several kinds pest of attacks. mulch mixed By applying with manure as compost, Mr Bumroong could also reduce soil surface several kinds of mulchevaporation. mixed with The organicmanure compost as compost, applied Mr to his farmland made the paddy soil more fertile. Bumroong could also reduce soil surface evaporation. The organic compost applied toFurther, his farmland the small made yet relativelythe paddy deep soil reservoir more fertile. that Mr Bumroong constructed gave his household a year-round water source. Along the reservoir ridge he is able to grow mixed fruit trees and vegetables, with local customers often Further, the small yetcoming relatively directly deep to the reservoir farm to thatbuy Mrthese Bumroong products from his farmyard. constructed gave his household a year-round water source. Along the reservoir ridge Sincehe is ablehe has to shiftedgrow mixed from monocropping fruit trees and to integrated farming,Mixed Mr Bumroongfruit trees and and his familyvegetable are less garden vulnerable to vegetables, with localthe customerseffects and of impactsten coming of severe directly drought. to the farm to buy these products from his farmyard.

Mr Bumroong’s products were in high demand atSince the local he has market, shifted from monocropping to integrated farming, Mr and his organic crop and meat even received a relativelyBumroong higher and his family are less vulnerable to the effects and price, allowing his family to earn more income thanimpacts they hadof severe in drought. the past.

Further, the small yet relatively deep reservoir that Mr Bumroong constructed gave his household a year-round water source. Along the reservoir ridge he is able to grow mixed fruit trees and Mixed fruit trees and vegetable garden Larger paddyLarger ridge paddy ridge vegetables, with local customers often coming directly to the farm Mixed fruit trees and vegetable garden to buy these products from his farmyard. Mr Amnat Wilasri

Since he has shifted from monocropping to integratedIn recent farming, years, Mr Mr Mr Amnat Amnat faced heavy Wilasri losses in pig farming as a Bumroong and his family are less vulnerable to theresult effects of national and and world market price fluctuations. As a result, impacts of severe drought. he eventually shiftedIn recenthis household’s years, Mr Amnat livelihood faced heavybase to losses an in pig farming as a result of national and world market price fluctuations. integrated farming Assystem. a result, he eventually shifted his household’s livelihood base to an integrated farming system.

In adapting to the impactsIn adapting of drought to the impactson his 2.5 of droughtha farm, onMr his 2.5 ha farm, Mr Amnat built two deeper water storage ponds and Amnat built two deeperirrigation water canals storage in his ponds paddy and fields, irrigation together canals with one groundwater pump. Whereas conventional water store ponds in his paddy fields, together with one groundwater pump. Whereas are 2.0-2.5 m in depth, Mr Amnat built a pond with a depth of 3.5-4.0 m. conventional water store ponds are 2.0-2.5 m in depth, Mr Amnat built a pond with a depth of 3.5-4.0 m. Along the water pond edge, he planted fruit trees such as mango, banana, sugar apple, cork wood, and tamarind to

Along the water pondreduce edge, the he level planted Largerof evaporation fruit paddy trees from ridgesuch the as pond.mango, In addition, Mr Amnat planted approximately 6,000 fruit trees along the paddy ridge in order to conserve water and moisture content in this farmland. Mr Amnat Wilasri banana, sugar apple, cork wood, and tamarind to reduce the level of evaporation from the pond. In addition, Mr Amnat planted Mr AmnatWilasri In recent years, Mr Amnat faced heavy losses inapproximately pig farming as a 6,000 Unlike fruit conventional trees along therice paddy paddy ridgefields in in order the community, to which are often as shallow as 0.5 m in depth with a sandy result of national and world market price fluctuations.conserve As a water result, and loam moisture soil, Mr content Amnat in rebuilt this farmland. his rice paddy by excavating the field with a deeper gradient equal or over 1 m in depth he eventually shifted his household’s livelihood base to an to reach the lower sandy-clay loam soil layer. integrated farming system. Unlike conventional rice paddy fields in the community, which Mr Amnat selected the ‘San Pa Tong’ rice variety for cultivation, because it is more tolerant to drought. He planted this In adapting to the impacts of drought on his 2.5 haare farm, often Mr as shallow as 0.5 m in depth with a sandy loam soil, Mr Amnat built two deeper water storage ponds andAmnat irrigation rebuilt canals his riceseed paddy using bythe excavating broad-casting the technique field with in a hisdeeper paddy fields. Due to the depth of his fields, in the dry season the soil in his paddy fields, together with one groundwatergradient pump. Whereasequal or overremained 1 m in rich depth with to moisture reach the content, lower allowingsandy-clay him to more easily grow a mixed crop of beans and other vegetables. conventional water store ponds are 2.0-2.5 m in loamdepth, soil Mr Amnatlayer. Mr Amnat also used the mulch and dry rice stalks to cover around the root zone at the tree base of his mixed fruit built a pond with a depth of 3.5-4.0 m. trees planted along the paddy ridge. Mr Amnat selected the ‘San Pa Tong’ rice variety for cultivation, Along the water pond edge, he planted fruit trees such as mango, because it is more tolerant to drought. He planted this seed using Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation banana, sugar apple, cork wood, and tamarind tothe reduce broad-casting the level84 technique in his paddy fields. Due to the depth of evaporation from the pond. In addition, Mr Amnat planted Mr AmnatWilasri approximately 6,000 fruit trees along the paddy ridgeof his in fields, order toin the dry season the soil remained rich with moisture conserve water and moisture content in this farmland.content, allowing him to more easily grow a mixed crop of beans and other vegetables. Mr Amnat also used the mulch and dry rice Unlike conventional rice paddy fields in the community,stalks to which cover around the root zone at the tree base of his mixed Mr Amnat’s key concepts, with a focus on food are often as shallow as 0.5 m in depth with a sandyfruit loam trees soil, planted Mr along the paddy ridge. security focus Amnat rebuilt his rice paddy by excavating the field with a deeper gradient equal or over 1 m in depth to reach the lowerIn addition sandy-clay to growing mixed fruit trees along the edge of his loam soil layer. ponds, Mr Amnat also planted vegetables and herbs, and raised

Mr Amnat selected the ‘San Pa Tong’ rice variety for cultivation, because it is more tolerant to drought. He planted this seed using 61 the broad-casting technique in his paddy fields. Due to the depth of his fields, in the dry season the soil remained rich with moisture content, allowing him to more easily grow a mixed crop of beans and other vegetables. Mr Amnat also used the mulch and dry rice stalks to cover around the root zone at the tree base of his mixed Mr Amnat’s key concepts, with a focus on food fruit trees planted along the paddy ridge. security focus

In addition to growing mixed fruit trees along the edge of his ponds, Mr Amnat also planted vegetables and herbs, and raised

Mr Bumroong’s products were in high demand at the local market, and his organic crop and meat even received a relatively higher price, allowing his family to earn more income than they had in the past.

The mixed native and fruit trees have the additional benefits of conserving soil moisture and preventing pest attacks. By applying several kinds of mulch mixed with manure as compost, Mr Bumroong could also reduce soil surface evaporation. The organic Mr Bumroong’s products were compostin high demand applied at the to localhis farmland market, made the paddy soil more fertile. and his organic crop and meat evenFurther, received the asmall relatively yet higherrelatively deep reservoir that Mr Bumroong price, allowing his family to earnconstructed more income gave than histhey household had in a year-round water source. Along the past. the reservoir ridge he is able to grow mixed fruit trees and Mixed fruit trees and vegetable garden vegetables, with local customers often coming directly to the farm

The mixed native and fruit treesto ha buyve the these additional products benefits from of his farmyard. conserving soil moisture and preventingSince he pest has attacks. shifted By from applying monocropping to integrated farming, Mr several kinds of mulch mixed withBumroong manure as and compost, his family Mr are less vulnerable to the effects and Bumroong could also reduce soilimpacts surface ofevaporation. severe drought. The organic compost applied to his farmland made the paddy soil more fertile.

Further, the small yet relatively deep reservoir that Mr Bumroong constructed gave his household a year-round water source. Along the reservoir ridge he is able to grow mixed fruit trees and vegetables, with local customers often coming directly to the farm Mixed fruit trees and vegetable garden to buy these products from his farmyard.

Larger paddy ridge Since he has shifted from monocroppingMr Amnat to integrated Wilasri farming, Mr Bumroong and his family are less vulnerable to the effects and impacts of severe drought. In recent years, Mr Amnat faced heavy losses in pig farming as a result of national and world market price fluctuations. As a result, he eventually shifted his household’s livelihood base to an integrated farming system.

In adapting to the impacts of drought on his 2.5 ha farm, Mr Amnat built two deeper water storage ponds and irrigation canals in his paddy fields, together with one groundwaterIn addition to pump. growing Whereas mixed fruit trees along the edge of his ponds, Mr Amnat also planted vegetables and herbs, and raised more 50 fish species in the pond. conventional water store ponds are 2.0-2.5 m in depth, Mr Amnat built a pond with a depth of 3.5-4.0 m. By constructing wetlands and undertaking other soil moisture conservation practices, Mr Amnat is able to maintain yield varieties of farm products all year round to deliver to local market, earning a sufficient daily income for his Along the water pond edge, he planted fruithousehold. trees such as mango, banana, sugar apple, cork wood, and tamarind to reduce the level In adaptingLarger his farm paddy structure ridge and farming practices, Mr Amnat has been able to successfully cope with the impacts of evaporation from the pond. In addition, Mr Amnat planted of drought, and has strengthened his household resilience to climateMr variability AmnatWilasri and change. Mr Amnat Wilasri approximately 6,000 fruit trees along the paddy ridge in order to conserve water and moisture content in this farmland. In recent years, Mr Amnat faced heavy losses in pig farming as a result of national and world marketUnlike price conventional fluctuations. As rice a result, paddy fields in the community, which he eventually shifted his household’sare often livelihood as shallow base to as an 0.5 m in depth with a sandy loam soil, Mr Amnat rebuilt his rice paddy by excavating the field with a deeper integrated farming system. gradient equal or over 1 m in depth to reach the lower sandy-clay more 50 fish species in the pond. loam soil layer. In adapting to the impacts of drought on his 2.5 ha farm,By Mrconstructing wetlands and undertaking other soil moisture Amnat built two deeper water stMrorage Amnat ponds selected and irrigationconservation the ‘Sancanals Pa practices, Tong’ rice Mr Amnatvariety is forable cultivation, to maintain yield because it is more tolerantvarieties toof farmdrought. products He allplanted year round this toseed deliver using to local market, in his paddy fields, together with one groundwater pump.earning Whereas a sufficient daily income for his household. the broad-casting technique in his paddy fields. Due to the depth conventional water store ponds are 2.0-2.5 m in depth, Mr Amnat of his fields, in the Indry adapting season his the farm soil structure remained and richfarming with practices, moisture Mr Amnat built a pond with a depth of 3.5-4.0content, m. allowing himhas beento more able easilyto successfully grow a copemixed with crop the impactsof beans of drought, and other vegetables.and Mr has Amnat strengthened also hisused household the mulch resilience and dry to climate rice stalks to cover aroundvariability the root and zone change. at the tree base of his mixed Along the water pond edge, he planted fruit trees such as mango, Mr Amnat Wilasri MrMr Amnat’s Amnat’s key concepts, key concepts, with a focuswith ona focus food security on food fruit trees planted along the paddy ridge. security focus banana, sugar apple, cork wood, and tamarind to reduce the level One of Mr Amnat’s water ponds of evaporation morefrom 50the fish pond. species In addition, in the pond. Mr Amnat planted In addition to growing mixed fruit trees along theMr edge AmnatWilasri of his approximately By6,000 constructing fruit trees wetlandsponds, along the and Mr paddy undertaking Amnat ridge also otherin order plantedsoil tomoisture vegetables and herbs, and raised conservation practices, Mr Amnat is able to maintain yield conserve watervarieties and moisture of farm content products in all this year farmland. round to deliver to local market, earning a sufficient daily income for his household. 61 Unlike conventionalIn adapting rice paddyhis farm fields structure in the and community, farming practices, which Mr Amnat has been able to successfully cope with the impacts of drought, are often as shallowand has as strengthened 0.5 m in depth his household with a sandy resilience loam tosoil, climate Mr Amnat rebuilt hisvariability rice paddy and change.by excavating the field with a deeper gradient equal or over 1 m in depth to reach the lower sandy-clay One ofOne Mr ofAmnat’s Mr Amnat’s water water ponds ponds TheThe Department Department of Land Development selected loam soil layer. Mr Amnat’s farm as a Public Learning Center for water selected Mr Amnat’s farm as a Public Learning and soil conservation Center for water and soil conservation Mr Amnat selected the ‘San Pa Tong’ rice variety for Mrscultivation, Wasana Homhuen because it is more tolerant to drought. He planted this seed using In recent years, Mrs Wasana encountered severe drought on her the broad-casting technique in his paddy fields. Due to2.5 the ha depth farm, particularly in 2003 when her family was only able to of his fields, in the dry season the soil remained rich withharvest moisture 1,500 kg of rice as a result of water scarcity, pest attack and poor soil quality. This yield of rice was insufficient for her content, allowing him to more easily grow a mixed cropfamily’s of beans daily consumption, leaving the household without a Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 85 and other vegetables. Mr Amnat also used the mulch andsurplus dry riceto sell for income. AsThe a Departmentresult of this of experience,Land Development Mrs selected stalks to cover around the root zone at the tree base ofWasana his mixed decided to changeMr herAmnat’s family’s farm livelihoodsas a Public Learning by learning Center for water from the experiencesMr and Amnat’s practices key of concepts, Mrand Amnat’s soil withconservation (see a focus above). on food fruit trees planted along the paddy ridge. Mrs Wasana Homhuen Mrs Wasana then undertook took a serioussecurity rearrangements focus of her farm with the assistance of a soft loan from the Sai Na Wang Sub- In addition to growingIn recent mixedyears, Mrsfruit Wasana trees along encountered the edge severedistrict of his drought Administrative on her Organization to build interconnected 2.5 ha farm, particularly in 2003 when her familyirrigated was water only ablecanals to around her paddy fields and to set up a ponds, Mr Amnatharvest also 1,500 planted kg ofvegetables rice as a result and herbs,of water andgroundwater scarcity, raised pest attackpump. Mrs Wasana began raising fish and frog and poor soil quality. This yield of rice was insufficient for her species in these irrigated water canals as a source of protein for the Mrs Wasana Homhuen family’s daily consumption, leaving the household without a surplus to sell for income. As a result of thishousehold. experience, Mrs Wasana decided to change her family’s livelihoods by learning 61 from the experiences and practices of Mr Amnat’sFurther, (see Mrs above). Wasana planted mixed trees on the paddy ridge, including teak, yang, bamboo, banana, cork wood, mango, Mrs Wasana then undertook took a serious coconut,rearrangements guava, of papaya, her sugar cane. She also planted many pest- farm with the assistance of a soft loan fromrepellent the Sai Na plants, Wang Sub-such as sugar apple, neem, turnsole, marigold, district Administrative Organization to buildfragrant interconnected pandan, holy basil, lemon grass and chili. irrigated water canals around her paddy fieldsWithin and to the set paddock up a field, she grew rice and raised fish in the groundwater pump. Mrs Wasana began raisingpaddy fish water. and frog The fish feces contribute to and improve paddy Mrs Wasana Homhuen species in these irrigated water canals as a sourcenutrient of content,protein for thus the providing a higher rice reproduction than household. before.

Further, Mrs Wasana planted mixed trees on the paddy ridge, Farmyard canals including teak, yang, bamboo, banana, corkIn wood, undertaking mango, these changes to her households farming practices, coconut, guava, papaya, sugar cane. She alsoMrs planted Wasana’s many pest-livelihood based shifted from a previous reliance repellent plants, such as sugar apple, neem,on turnsole, a rice marigold,monocrop, to a versified income base that included the fragrant pandan, holy basil, lemon grass andsale chili. of flowers and mixed vegetables to the local market. In Within the paddock field, she grew rice andparticular, raised fish Mrsin the Wasana’s crop of marigold and pandan have paddy water. The fish feces contribute to andallowed improve her paddy to increase her household income all year round, since nutrient content, thus providing a higher ricemost reproduction local residents than purchase these flowers for daily religious before. practices and rituals.

In undertaking these changes to her households farming practices, Farmyard canals Mrs Wasana’s livelihood based shifted from a previous reliance on a rice monocrop, to a versified income base that included the 62 sale of flowers and mixed vegetables to the local market. In particular, Mrs Wasana’s crop of marigold and pandan have allowed her to increase her household income all year round, since most local residents purchase these flowers for daily religious practices and rituals.

62 more 50 fish species in the pond.

By constructing wetlands and undertaking other soil moisture conservation practices, Mr Amnat is able to maintain yield varieties of farm products all year round to deliver to local market, earning a sufficient daily income for his household.

In adapting his farm structure and farming practices, Mr Amnat has been able to successfully cope with the impacts of drought, and has strengthened his household resilience to climate variability and change.

One of Mr Amnat’s water ponds more 50 fish species in the pond. Mrs Wasana Homhuen

By constructing wetlands and undertaking other soil moisture In recent years, Mrs Wasana encountered severe drought on her 2.5 ha farm, particularly in 2003 when her family was conservation practices, Mr Amnat is able to maintain yield only able to harvest 1,500 kg of rice as a result of water scarcity, pest attack and poor soil quality. This yield of rice was varieties of farm products all year round to deliver to local market, insufficient for her family’s daily consumption, leaving the household without a surplus to sell for income. As a result of earning a sufficient daily income for his household. this experience, Mrs Wasana decided to change her family’s livelihoods by learning from the experiences and practices of

In adapting his farm structure and farming practices, Mr Amnat Mr Amnat’s (see above). has been able to successfully cope with the impacts of drought, and has strengthened his household resilience to climate Mrs Wasana then undertook took a serious rearrangementsThe Department of her farm of with Land the Development assistance of selected a soft loan from the Sai Na variability and change. Wang Sub-district Administrative Organization toMr build Amnat’s interconnected farm as a irrigated Public Learning water canals Center around for water her paddy fields and to set up a groundwater pump. Mrs Wasana began raising fish andand frog soil species conservation in these irrigated water canals as a source of protein for the household. Mrs Wasana Homhuen One of Mr Amnat’s water ponds

Further, Mrs Wasana planted mixed trees on the paddy ridge, including teak, yang, bamboo, banana, cork wood, mango, In recent years, Mrs Wasana encountered severe drought on her 2.5 ha farm, particularlycoconut, in 2003 guava, when papaya,her family sugar was cane. only She able also to planted many pest- repellent plants, such as sugar apple, neem, turnsole, harvest 1,500 kg of ricemarigold, as a result fragrant of water pandan, scarcity, holy pest basil, attack lemon grass and chili. and poor soil quality. ThisWithin yield the of paddock rice was field, insufficient she grew for rice her and raised fish in the paddy water. The fish feces contribute to and improve paddy family’s daily consumption,nutrient leaving content, the thus household providing without a higher a rice reproduction than before. surplus to sell for income. As a result of this experience, Mrs Wasana decided to changeIn undertaking her family’s these livelihoods changes byto herlearning households farming practices, Mrs Wasana’s livelihood based shifted from a previous from the experiences andreliance practices on a riceof Mr monocrop, Amnat’s to(see a versified above). income base that included the sale of flowers and mixed vegetables to the local market. In particular, Mrs Wasana’s crop of marigold and pandan have allowed her to increase her household income all Mrs Wasana then undertookyear round, took asince serious most rearrangements local residents ofpurchase her these flowers for daily religious practices and rituals. farmIn withundertaking the assistanceThe a successful Department of a softreform loanof Landof from her Development households the Sai Na farmland,Wang selected Sub- districtMrs WasanaAdministrativeMr is Amnat’s not only Organization farm able toas bettera Public to copebuild Learning with interconnected climate Center impacts, for water In undertaking a successful reform of her households farmland, Mrs Wasana is not only able to better cope with climate irrigatedbut has water improved canals her around family herand livelihood paddy soil conservation fields in many and ways, to set including up a groundwaterincreased income, pump. Mrshappiness,impacts, Wasana butpeacefulness began has improved raising and fish health. her and family frog livelihood in many ways, including increased income, happiness, peacefulness and Mrs Wasana Homhuen Mrs Wasana Homhuen species in these irrigatedhealth. water canals as a source of protein for the household. In recent years, Mrs Wasana encountered severe drought on her 2.5 ha farm, particularly in 2003 when her family was onlyFurther, able to Mrs Wasana planted mixed trees on the paddy ridge, harvest 1,500 kg of rice as a result of water scarcity, pest attackincluding teak, yang, bamboo, banana, cork wood, mango, and poor soil quality. This yield of rice was insufficient forcoconut, her guava, papaya, sugar cane. She also planted many pest- family’s daily consumption, leaving the household withoutrepellent a plants, such as sugar apple, neem, turnsole, marigold, surplus to sell for income. As a result of this experience, Mrsfragrant pandan, holy basil, lemon grass and chili. Wasana decided to change her family’s livelihoods by learningWithin the paddock field, she grew rice and raised fish in the from the experiences and practices of Mr Amnat’s (see above).paddy water. The fish feces contribute to and improve paddy nutrient content, thus providing a higher rice reproduction than Mrs WasanaIn undertaking then undertook a successful took areform serious of rearrangementsher householdsbefore. farmland,of her Mrs Wasana is not only able to better cope with climate impacts, Mrs Wasana Homhuen FarmyardGrowing canals flowers on the paddy ridge farm with the assistance of a soft loan from the Sai Na Wang Sub- Farmyard canals district butAdministrative has improved Organization her family livelihood to build interconnectedin many ways,In includingundertaking these changes to her households farming practices, irrigatedincreased water canals income, around happiness, her paddy peacefulness fields and and to health.set upMrs a Wasana’s livelihood based shifted from a previous reliance groundwater pump. Mrs Wasana began raising fish and frogon a rice monocrop, to a versified income base that included the species in these irrigated water canals as a source of proteinsale for of the flowers and mixed vegetaMrsbles Wasana to the Homhuen local market. In household. particular, Mrs Wasana’s crop of marigold and pandan have allowed her to increase her household income all year round, since Further, Mrs Wasana planted mixed trees on the paddy ridge,most local residents purchase these flowers for daily religious including teak, yang, bamboo, banana, cork wood, mango,practices and rituals. coconut, guava, papaya, sugar cane. She also planted many pest- repellent plants, such as sugar apple, neem, turnsole, marigold, fragrant pandan, holy basil, lemon grass and chili. 62 Within the paddock field, she grew rice and raised fish in the Mixed vegetables along the canal edge paddy water. The fish feces contribute to and improve paddy Growing flowers on the paddy ridge nutrient content, thus providing a higher rice reproduction than before. Growing flowers on the paddy ridge Mixed vegetables along the canal edge

86 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation In undertaking these changes to her households farming practices, Farmyard canals Mrs Wasana’s livelihood based shifted from a previous relianceWang Luang farmer champions: In brief on a rice monocrop, to a versified income base that included the sale of flowers and mixed vegetables to the local market. In Similarly to what occurred in the Sai Na Wang community, in the initial stages of project particular, Mrs Wasana’s crop of marigold and pandan have research at Wang Luang, community members identified a number of households who were allowed her to increase her household income all year round, sincesuccessfully undertaking adaptive actions in response to climate impacts. After much most local residents purchase these flowers for daily religious practices and rituals. discussion, three families were selected farmer champion case studies in Wang Luang, represented by Mr Somnuek Praisopa, Mr Sanguan Sinhathep and Mr Rob Haewnakorn in further CPAR research activities.

The majority of households in Wang Luang62 with higher terrain rice paddy fields grow rice during the wet season; conversely, the majority of households with farmland near the Young Mixed vegetables along the canal edge River cultivate their rice crop in the dry season as a result of flooding in the monsoon season, which inundates low land paddy fields for prolonged periods. During these monsoonal floods, Wang Luang farmer champions: In brief many households with lowland rice paddy field have adapted their livelihoods by catching fish and some aquatic plants. However, some households are still able to grow in wet season Similarly to what occurred in the Sai Na Wangthrough community, the cultivation in the of initial a special stages seed of projectvariety that is tolerant to flood, while in the dry research at Wang Luang, community membersseason identified cultivating a number tobacco of households plants and harvestingwho were sedge for matt weaving. The three farmer champions in Wang Luang mainly rely on rainwater for rice cultivation, while some also draw successfully undertaking adaptive actions in response to climate impacts. After much waters from bore wells and public reservoirs to irrigate their farms. Box 2 summarizes key discussion, three families were selected farmer champion case studies in Wang Luang, concepts and practices of these Wang Luang climate champions. represented by Mr Somnuek Praisopa, Mr Sanguan Sinhathep and Mr Rob Haewnakorn in further CPAR research activities.

The majority of households in Wang Luang with higher terrain rice paddy fields grow rice during the wet season; conversely, the majority of households with farmland near the Young River cultivate their rice crop in the dry season as a result of flooding in the monsoon season, which inundates low land paddy fields for prolonged periods. During these monsoonal floods, many households with lowland rice paddy field have adapted their livelihoods by catching 63 fish and some aquatic plants. However, some households are still able to grow in wet season through the cultivation of a special seed variety that is tolerant to flood, while in the dry season cultivating tobacco plants and harvesting sedge for matt weaving. The three farmer champions in Wang Luang mainly rely on rainwater for rice cultivation, while some also draw waters from bore wells and public reservoirs to irrigate their farms. Box 2 summarizes key concepts and practices of these Wang Luang climate champions.

Wang Luang farmer champions: River cultivate their rice crop in the dry season In brief as a result of flooding in the monsoon season, which inundates low land paddy fields for Similar to what occurred in the Sai Na Wang prolonged periods. During these monsoonal community, in the initial stages of project floods, many households with lowland rice research at Wang Luang, community members paddy field have adapted their livelihoods identified a number of households who were by catching fish and some aquatic plants. successfully undertaking adaptive actions However, some households are still able to in response to climate impacts. After much grow in wet season through the cultivation of discussion, three families were selected a special seed variety that is tolerant to flood, farmer champion case studies in Wang Luang, while in the dry season cultivating tobacco represented by Mr Somnuek Praisopa, Mr plants and harvesting sedge for matt weaving. Sanguan Sinhathep and Mr Rob Haewnakorn The three farmer champions in Wang Luang in further CPAR research activities. mainly rely on rainwater for rice cultivation, while some also draw waters from bore wells The majority of households in Wang Luang and public reservoirs to irrigate their farms. with higher terrain rice paddy fields grow rice Box 2 summarises key concepts and practices during the wet season; conversely, the majority of these Wang Luang climate champions. of households with farmland near the Young

Box 2 Selected Wang Luang climate champions

Mr Somnuek Praisopa

In recent years, Mr Somnuek has experienced severe impacts from flooding. His 2 ha lowland rice paddy located next to the Young River has repeatedly been inundated since 2004 in the monsoon season. As a result of this flooding, Mr Somnuek had abandoned his farm as a swamp area; however, around five years ago he began to adapt to the impacts of flooding, attempting to redesign his paddy fields.

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 87 Box 2. Selected Wang Luang climate champions

Mr Somnuek Praisopa

Mr Somnuek began by constructing a large pond (0.5 ha and 3m deep) to capture and store flood water for use during the dry season rice cultivation. He also built interconnected canals in his paddy field to ease the water logging from flooding and facilitate water flow from the fields. Further, he excavated his paddy fields to a depth of 1-2 m, with theBox aim 2. of Selectedaccumulating Wang and trapping Luang more climate nutrients champions from the flood waters. Mr Somnuek also rebuilt his paddy fields with a high to low Mr Somnuek Praisopa Mrgradient Somnuek interconnected Praisopa between the paddy plots, with the aim of being able to use a water pump in the dry season to pump pond water from Inthe recent higher years, gradient Mr atSomnuek the pond has edge experienced down through severe the impacts fields to from the flooding.lower field His level. 2 ha lowland rice paddy located next to the Young River has repeatedly been inundated since 2004 in the monsoon season. As a Box 2. SelectedresultIn the ofdry Wang this season, flooding,Luang Mr climate Somnuek Mr Somnuek champions grows had rice abandoned in these paddy his farm fields, as a cultivating a slow-growing rice variety at the deeper end of the paddy, Mr Somnuekswamp Praisopa area; however, around five years ago he began to adapt to the and in the shallower areas, a normal or water sensitiveIn the dry season,rice variety.Mr Somnuek growsAs rice in these paddy fields, cultivating a slow-growing rice variety at the deeper impacts of flooding, attempting to redesign his paddyend of the fields. paddy, and in the shallower areas, a normal or water sensitive rice variety. As a result of the nutrients In recent years, a result Mr Somnuek of the has nutrients experienced gained severe impactsfrom sunken from humusgained from from sunkenthe flood humus from the flood waters which have improved his soil fertility, Mr Somnuek only needs flooding. Hiswaters 2 ha lowland which rice have paddy improvedlocated next tohis the soil Young fertility, River Mrto Somnuek apply a very minimal only amount needs of fertilizer to his rice paddy. In growing rice in the dry season with these adaptive has repeatedlyMr been Somnuek inundated begansince 2004 by in constructing the monsoon season. a large As a pond measures,(0.5 ha Mr Somnuekand 3m has beendeep) able to obtain a very high rice yield every year. Further, he planted eucalyptus trees result of thisto flooding, apply Mr a verySomnuek minimal had abandoned amount his farmof fe asrtilizer a to hisand rice grasses paddy. on the paddy In ridge, with the eucalypts grown for sale to theInundated paper industry, andrice the paddyruzi grasses grown to capture and store flood water for use during theto selldry as cattleseason fodder. rice swamp area;cultivation.growing however, around rice He infive alsothe years drybuilt ago season he interconnected began with to adapt these to thecanals adaptive in his measures, paddy field Mr to impacts of flooding, attempting to redesign his paddy fields. Somnuek has been able to obtain a very high riceMr yield Somnuek’s every water storage year. pond has proved large enough to store a sufficient amount of water for dry season rice ease the water logging from flooding and facilitatecultivation. water In addition,flow hefrom is able theto catch various fish species from his inundated paddy, and in the dry season, fish Mr Somnuekfields.Further, began byFurther, constructinghe planted he aexcavated largeeucalyptus pond (0.5 his treesha paddy and and3m fieldsdeep) grasses to aonretained depth the in paddy theof pond 1-2 are ridge, m, available with for household consumption, or for sale to the local market. to capture andwith store the flood eucalypts water for use grown during forthe dry sale season to the rice paper industry, and the ruzi the aim of accumulating and trapping more nutrientsMr Somnuek’s from actions the flood to redesign his paddy structure and alter his cultivation and schedule have enabled his cultivation.Box Hegrasses 2. alsoSelected built grown interconnected Wang to Luang sell canalsas climate cattle in his fodder.champions paddy field to ease the waterwaters. logging Mrfrom Somnuek flooding and also facilitate rebuilt water hisflow paddy from the fields household with a to high adapt to to the low impacts of flooding to their rice paddy fields,Mr turningSomnuek the negative Praisopa impacts of the flood into great opportunities for his household to generate income. fields.Mr Further, Somnuekgradient he excavated Praisopa interconnected his paddy fields between to a depth ofthe 1-2 paddy m, with plots, with the aim of being the aim of accumulatingableMr Somnuek’s to use and a trappingwater water pumpmore storage nutrients in the pond from dry the hasseason flood proved to pump large pondenough water to store from a waters.In Mr recent Somnueksufficient years, Mralso Somnuek amountrebuilt his has ofpaddy experienced water fields for severewith dry a impactshigh seas to fromlowon rice cultivation.Mr In Somnuek addition, Praisopa gradientflooding. interconnectedthe His higher 2 ha lowlandbetween gradient rice the padd paddy aty thelocated plots, pond nextwith to edgethe the aim Young down of being River through the fields to the able tohas use repeatedly alowerhe water is ablepump beenfield inundatedinto level.the catch dry since season various 2004 to inpump fishthe monsoonpond species water season. fromfrom As ahis inundated paddy, and the higherresult gradient ofin this the flooding, at dry the pondseason, Mr Somnuekedge fishdown had retainedthrough abandoned the in fieldshis the farm to pond asthe a are available for household lower swampfield level. area; however, around five years ago he began to adapt to the impactsInconsumption, of the flooding, dry attemptingseason, or for toMr redesign sale Somnuek to his the paddy local gr fields.ows market. rice in these paddy fields, In the dry season,cultivating Mr Somnuek a slow-growing grows rice in these rice paddy variety fields, at the deeper end of the paddy, cultivatingMr Somnuek a slow-growing began by riceconstructing variety at a largethe deeper pond (0.5end haof andthe 3mpaddy, deep) to captureMr and Somnuek’s store flood water actions for use toduring redesign the dry season his paddyrice structure and alter his and in the shallowerand in areas,the shallower a normal or waterareas, sensitive a normal rice variety. or water As sensitive rice variety. As cultivation.cultivation He also built and interconnected schedule canals have in enabledhis paddy field his to household to adapt to the Paddy ridge a resultease of thea waternutrientsresult logging of gained the from fromnutrients flooding sunken and gainedhumus facilitate from fromwater the flow floodsunken from the humus from the flood waters whichimpacts have improved of flooding his soil fertility, to their Mr Somnuekrice paddy only fields,needs turning the negative fields. watersFurther, he which excavated have his paddy improved fields to ahis depth soil of 1-2 fertility, m, with Mr Somnuek only needs to apply a very minimal amount of fertilizer to his rice paddy. In Mr Somnuek Praisopa Inundated rice paddy the aimtoimpacts of apply accumulating ofa verythe and flood minimaltrapping into more amount great nutrients opportunities fromof fe thertilizer flood tofor his his rice household paddy.Inundated Into rice paddy growingwaters. ricegenerate inMr the Somnuek dry seasonincome. also rebuiltwith these his paddy adaptive fields measures, with a high Mr to low Mr Somnuek Praisopa Inundated rice paddy Somnuekgradient hasgrowing beeninterconnected able riceto obtain between in thea very the dry highpaddy season rice plots, yield with with every the theseaim year. of being adaptive measures, Mr Further,able he to plantedSomnuek use a water eucalyptus pump has in treesbeen the dryand able season grasses to to obtain onpump the pondpaddy a verywater ridge, fromhigh rice yield every year. with thethe eucalypts higher gradient grown at for the sale pond to edge the paperdown throughindustry, the and fields the toruzi the grasseslower grown Further,field to level.sell as he cattle planted fodder. eucalyptus trees and grasses on the paddy ridge, with the eucalypts grown for sale to the paper industry, and the ruzi Mr Somnuek’sIn the grassesdry waterseason, storagegrown Mr Somnuek pond to has sellgrows proved as rice cattle inlarge these enoughfodder. paddy tofields, store a sufficientcultivating amount a ofslow-growing water for dry rice seas varietyon rice at the cultivati deeperon. end In of addition, the paddy, he is ableand toin thecatch shallower various areas, fish species a normal from or water his inundated sensitive rice paddy, variety. and As in the adry result season, of the fish nutrients retained gained in the from pond sunken are available humus from for thehousehold flood watersMr which Somnuek’s have improved water his soil fertility,storage Mr pond Somnuek has only proved needs large enough to store a consumption, or for sale to the local market. to applysufficient a very minimal amount amount of fe waterrtilizer tofor his dryrice paddy. seas onIn rice cultivation. In addition, Inundated rice paddy growinghe rice is inable the dry to seasoncatch with various these adaptive fish measures,species Mrfrom his inundated paddy, and Mr Somnuek’sSomnuek actionshas been to able redesign to obtain his a paddy very high structure rice yield and every alter year.his cultivationFurther, andin he theschedule planted dry eucalyptushave season, enabled trees fish his and householdretained grasses on to inthe adapt thepaddy topond ridge,the are availablePaddy ridgefor householdPaddy ridge Fish caught from the inundated paddy impactswith of thefloodingconsumption, eucalypts to their grown rice foror paddy sale for to fields,sale the paper toturning theindustry, thelocal negative and market. the ruzi impactsgrasses of the grown flood tointo sell great as cattle opportunities fodder. for his household to generate income. Fish caught from the inundated paddy Mr Somnuek’sMr Somnuek’s water storage actions pond has provedto redesign large enough his to paddy store a structure and alter his sufficient amount of water for dry season rice cultivation. In addition, he is ablecultivation to catch various and fish schedule species from have his inundated enabled paddy, his and household 88 to adapt to the Local DemonstrationPaddy Projects ridge on Climate Change Adaptation in the impactsdry season, fishof floodingretained in the to pond their are riceavailable paddy for household fields, turning the negative consumption, or for sale to the local market. impacts of the flood into great opportunities for his household to Mr Somnuek’sgenerate actions income. to redesign his paddy structure and alter his cultivation and schedule have enabled his household to adapt to the Paddy ridge impacts of flooding to their rice paddy fields, turning the negative impacts of the flood into great opportunities for his household to generate income. Fish caught from the inundated paddy

Fish caught from the inundated paddy Fish caught from the inundated paddy 64

Box 2 (cont.)

Mr Sanguan Sinhathep

In adapting to the impacts of flooding, Mr Sanguan changed his primary livelihood base from on rice cultivation to fishing. Conversely to the experiences of Mr Somnuek’s household, Mr Sanguan’s 2.5 ha farmland is located on higher terrain and in recent years, has been subject to the impacts of drought, causing him to face water shortages on an almost yearly basis. As a result of these shortages, the rice yield obtained from his household’s rice paddy fields was only enough for family consumption, thus requiring an additional household income source. In order to improve the situMration Sanguan of his household, Sinhathep Mr Sanguan decided to shift to fishing in the Young River, going to the public wetlands to fish. As a result, MrIn Sanguan adapting has to improvedthe impacts his of income, flooding, Mr Sanguan changed his primary livelihood base from on rice cultivation to Box 2 (cont.) nowBox earning 2 (cont.) income of around THB100,000fishing. Conversely per year. to the experiences of Mr Somnuek’s household, Mr Sanguan’s 2.5 ha farmland is located on higher Me Sanguan Sinhathep terrain and in recent years, has been subject to the impacts of drought, causing him to face water shortages on an

Mr Sanguan Sinhathep HeMr alsoSanguan planted Sinhathep mixed fruit treesalmost and vegetables yearly basis. near As ahis result family of these house, shortages, the rice yield obtained from his household’s rice paddy fields was and began raising fish and frog inonly the enough water pondfor family on his consumption, farmland, both thus requiring an additional household income source. In order to improve the In adapting to the impacts of flooding, Mr Sanguan changedofIn whichadapting his are to for the household impacts of consumption, flooding,situation Mr of with Sanguanhis household,the surplus changed Mr sold Sanguan his to the decided to shift to fishing in the Young River, going to the public wetlands to primary livelihood base from on rice cultivation to fishing.localprimary Converselymarket. livelihood base from onfish. rice Ascultivation a result, Mrto Sanguanfishing. Converselyhas improved his income, now earning income of around THB100,000 per year. to the experiences of Mr Somnuek’s household, Mr Sanguan’s to the experiences 2.5 ha of Mr Somnuek’s household, Mr Sanguan’s 2.5 ha farmland is located on higher terrain and in recent years,Mrfarmland has Sanguan been is located has strengthened on higher terrainhisHe skills also and plantedas in a recentfisherman, mixed years, fruit and has trees has been anda sound vegetables near his family house, and began raising fish and frog in the water subject to the impacts of drought, causing him to face waterunderstandingsubject shortages to the impactsof fish behaviour of drought,pond and causing habits, on his him farmland,water to facehydrology, both water of shortageswhich and the are for household consumption, with the surplus sold to the local market. on an almost yearly basis. As a result of these shortages,importanceon the an ricealmost yield of yearly timing basis. and water As a resutemperature,lt of these all shortages, of which the have rice enabled yield him to easily and effectively catch a greater number of fish. obtained from his household’s rice paddy fields was onlyobtained enough from for his household’s riceMr Sanguanpaddy fields has strengthened was only enough his skills for as a fisherman, and has a sound understanding of fish behaviour and habits, family consumption, thus requiring an additional householdfamily income consumption, thus requiringwater an hydrology, additional and household the importance income of timing and water temperature, all of which have enabled him to easily and Mrsource. Sanguan In order has toovercome improve the the impacts situation of of climate his household, extremes Mr by Sanguan source. In order to improve the situation of his household, Mr Sanguan effectively catch a greater number of fish. decided to shift to fishing in the Young River, going tosuccessfullydecided the public to shift adapting to fishing his livelihood in the Young base River, from goingrice cultivation to the public to a thrivingwetlands fishing to fish. business. As a result, Mr Sanguan has improved his income, wetlands to fish. As a result, Mr Sanguan has improved his income, Mr Sanguan has overcome the impacts of climate extremes by successfully adapting his livelihood base from rice now earning income of around THB100,000 per year. now earning income of around THB100,000 per year. cultivation to a thriving fishing business. Box 2 (cont.) Me Sanguan Sinhathep Mixed fruitMe trees Sanguan and vegetablesSinhathep near Mr He also planted mixed fruit trees and vegetables near hisHe family also planted house, mixed fruit trees and vegetables near his family house, Sanguan’s house and beganMr Sanguan raising fish Sinhathep and frog in the water pond on hisand farmland, began raising both fish and frog in the water pond on his farmland, both of which are for household consumption, with the surplusof which sold to are the for household consumption, with the surplus sold to the local market.In adapting to the impacts of flooding, Mr Sanguanlocal changed market. his primary livelihood base from on rice cultivation to fishing. Conversely Mr Sanguanto the experiences has strengthened of Mr hisSomnuek’s skills as ahousehold, fisherman, MrMr and Sanguan’sSanguan has a sound has 2.5 strengthened ha his skills as a fisherman, and has a sound understandingfarmland of is fishlocated behaviour on higher and terrain habits, and water in recenthydrology,understanding years, and has the been of fish behaviour and habits, water hydrology, and the importancesubject of to timing the impacts and water of drought, temperature, causing all himof which to importanceface have water enabled shortagesof timing and water temperature, all of which have enabled him toon easily an almost and effectively yearly basis. catch As a a greater result ofnumber these shortages,of himfish. to easily the rice and yield effectively catch a greater number of fish. obtained from his household’s rice paddy fields was only enough for Mr Sanguanfamily hasconsumption, overcome thusthe impacts requiring of anclimate additional extremes Mrhousehold Sanguan by income has overcome the impacts of climate extremes by successfullysource. adapting In order histo improve livelihood the base situ ationfrom ofrice his cultivation household,successfully to Mr a adaptingSanguan his livelihood base from rice cultivation to a thrivingdecided fishing to business. shift to fishing in the Young River, goingthriving to the fishing public business. wetlands to fish. As a result, Mr Sanguan has improved his income, now earning income of around THB100,000 per year. Mixed fruitMe trees Sanguan and vegetables Sinhathep near Mr MixedMixed fruit fruit trees trees and and vegetables vegetables near near Mr Me Sanguan Sinhathep Sanguan’s house Catching fishSanguan’s in the publichouse reservoir Mr Sanguan’s house He also planted mixed fruit trees and vegetables near his family house, and began raising fish and frog in the water pond on his farmland, both of which are for household consumption, with the surplus sold to the local market.

Mr Sanguan has strengthened his skills as a fisherman, and has a sound understanding of fish behaviour and habits, water hydrology, and the importance of timing and water temperature, all of which have enabled him to easily and effectively catch a greater number of fish.

Mr Sanguan has overcome the impacts of climate extremes by successfully adapting his livelihood base from rice cultivation to a thriving fishing business.

CatchingMixedCatching fish fruit in trees the fish publicand in vegetables reservoirthe public near Mr RaisingCatching fish fish and and fishfrogs frogs in in the his in public enclosedhis enclosedreservoir water pondwater reservoirSanguan’s house pond

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 89 65

Raising fish and frogs in his enclosed water pond Raising fish and frogs in his enclosed water pond Catching fish in the public reservoir

65 65

Raising fish and frogs in his enclosed water pond

Box 2 (cont.)

Mr Rob Haewnakorn

Similar to Mr Sanguan, Mr Rob’s paddy fields are located on higher terrain, and in recent years, his household has experienced water shortages in the dry season. As a result of these climate impacts, Mr Rob has reformed his farm water management through the construction of lined and earthen water canals that are interconnected with furrow irrigation across his 1.5 ha paddy field.

Mr Rob utilizes all water sources available to him, storing rainwater, pumping water from the public reservoir into his canals, and accessing groundwater sources. In focusing on farm water management, Mr Rob’s household has been able to successfullyMr Rob grow Haewnakorn rice in both the wet and dry seasons, thus improving his year-round yield. Further, Mr Rob has planted standing treesSimilar and to mixedMr Sanguan, vegetables Mr Rob’s on anpaddy fields are located on higher terrain, and in recent years, his household has Mr Rob Haewnakorn areaBox of 0.5 2 (cont.)ha around his rice paddy. Usingexperienced a similar water system shortages to that in of the a dry season. As a result of these climate impacts, Mr Rob has reformed his farm agroforestry system, he has been able towater preserve management a relatively through high the soil construction of lined and earthen water canals that are interconnected with furrow moisture content. irrigation across his 1.5 ha paddy field. Mr Rob Haewnakorn

Box 2 (cont.) Along the paddy ridge, Mr Rob has also planted a mix of 14 standing Similar to Mr Sanguan, Mr Rob’s paddyMr Rob fields utilizes are locatedall water on sources higher available to him, storing rainwater, pumping water from the public reservoir into his tree species, eight species of fruit trees and 26 varieties of vegetables Mr Rob Haewnakorn terrain, and in recent years, his householdcanals, has and experienced accessing groundwater water sources. In focusing on farm water management, Mr Rob’s household has been and herbs. Mr Rob also fishes in the public reservoir for his family. shortages in the dry season. As a resultable of tothese successfully climate growimpacts, rice in both the wet and dry seasons, thus improving his year-round yield. Similar to Mr Sanguan, Mr Rob’s paddy fields are located on higher Mr Rob has reformed his farm water managementFurther, Mr Rob through has planted the standing trees and mixed vegetables on an area of 0.5 ha around his rice paddy. Using a terrain, and in recent years, his householdMr Rob has experiencedhas successfully water altered his farm practices and water construction of lined and earthen watersimilar canals system that toare that interconnected of a agroforestry system, he has been able to preserve a relatively high soil moisture content. shortages in the dry season. As a resultmanagement of these climate schemes impacts, to adapt to the impacts of uneven and uncertain with furrow irrigation across his 1.5 ha paddy field. Mr Rob has reformed his farm water rainfallmanagement patterns, through which the result in climate variability. In modifying his Along the paddy ridge, Mr Rob has also planted a mix of 14 standing tree species, eight species of fruit trees and 26 construction of lined and earthen waterpaddy canals fields that arefrom interconnected rice monocropping to an integrated farming system, with furrow irrigation across his 1.5 haMr paddy Rob field. utilizes all water sources availablevarieties to ofhim, vegetables storing andrainwater, herbs. Mr Rob also fishes in the public reservoir for his family. Mr Rob has strengthened his household’s resilience to climate impacts pumping water from the public reservoir into his canals, and accessing and has been able to improve his income level. Mr Rob utilizes all water sources availablegroundwater to him, storing sources. rainwater, In focusing on farmMr Rob water has management, successfully altered Mr his farm practices and water management schemes to adapt to the impacts of Irrigation canals in the paddy field pumping water from the public reservoirRob’s into hishousehold canals, and has accessing been able to successfullyuneven and grow uncertain rice in rainfall both the patterns, which result in climate variability. In modifying his paddy fields from rice groundwater sources. In focusing on farmwet water and drymanagement, seasons, thusMr improving hismonocropping year-round toyield. an integrated farming system, Mr Rob has strengthened his household’s resilience to climate Rob’s household has been able to successfully grow rice in both the Further, Mr Rob has planted standing impactstrees and and mixed has been vegetables able to improve on an his income level. wet and dry seasons, thus improving his year-round yield. Box 2 (cont.) area of 0.5 ha around his rice paddy. Using a similar system to that of a Mr Rob Haewnakorn Further, Mr Rob has planted standing trees and mixed vegetables on an area of 0.5 ha around his rice paddy. Usingagroforestry a similar systemsystem, to he that has of beena able to preserveMr Rob a relatively Haewnakorn high soil Mragroforestry Rob Haewnakorn system, he has been able tomoisture preserve content. a relatively high soil moisture content. Similar to Mr Sanguan, Mr Rob’s paddy fields are located on higher Along the paddy ridge, Mr Rob has also planted a mix of 14 standing terrain, and in recent years, his household has experienced water Along the paddy ridge, Mr Rob has also planted a mix of 14 standing shortages in the dry season. As a resulttree of these species, climate eight impacts, species of fruit trees and 26 varieties of vegetables tree species, eight species of fruit trees and 26 varieties of vegetables Mr Rob has reformed his farm water managementand herbs. throughMr Rob the also fishes in the public reservoir for his family. and herbs. Mr Rob also fishes in the public reservoir for his family. construction of lined and earthen water canals that are interconnected with furrow irrigation across his 1.5 haMr paddy Rob field. has successfully altered his farm practices and water Mr Rob has successfully altered his farm practices and water management schemes to adapt to the impactsmanagement of uneven schemes and uncertain to adapt to the impacts of uneven and uncertain Mrrainfall Rob patterns,utilizes all which water result sources in climate availablerainfall variability. to him, patterns, storing In modifying which rainwater, result his in climate variability. In modifying his pumpingpaddy fields water from from rice the monocropping public reservoir topaddy aninto integrated hisfields canals, from farming and rice accessing system, monocropping to an integrated farming system, groundwaterMr Rob has strengthenedsources. In focusing his household’s on farmMr resiliencewaterRob hasmanagement, tostrengthened climate Mrimpacts his household’s resilience to climate impacts Rob’s household has been able to successfully grow rice in both the Agroforestry setting and has been able to improve his incomeand level. has been able to improve his income level. wet and dry seasons, thus improving his year-round yield. Irrigation canals in the paddy field Me Sanguan Sinhathep IrrigationIrrigation canals canals in the in paddythe paddy field field Further, Mr Rob has planted standing trees and mixed vegetables on an area of 0.5 ha around his rice paddy. Using a similar system to that of a Mr Rob Haewnakorn agroforestry system, he has been able to preserve a relatively high soil moisture content.

Along the paddy ridge, Mr Rob has also planted a mix of 14 standing tree species, eight species of fruit trees and 26 varieties of vegetables and herbs. Mr Rob also fishes in the public reservoir for his family.

Mr Rob has successfully altered his farm practices and water management schemes to adapt to the impacts of uneven and uncertain rainfall patterns, which result in climate variability. In modifying his paddy fields from rice monocropping to an integrated farming system, Mr Rob has strengthened his household’s resilience to climate impacts and has been able to improve his income level. Agroforestry setting Growing mixed rice species Irrigation canals in the paddy field Growing mixed rice species Agroforestry setting

Agroforestry setting

90 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation 66

Growing mixed rice species Agroforestry setting

Growing mixed rice species

Building a climate database, GIS stream-flow, from relevant government and hydrological models agencies; Building a climate database, GIS and hydrological models• using the Soil and Water Assessment

Tool (SWAT) model to predict runoff data AA CCAI CCAI project project informatics informatics team teamfrom Rajamangala from University of Technology Isan (RMUTI),Rajamangala Khon UniversityKaen, has collated of Technology a wealth of Isan climate relatedfor data the a ndYoung information Sub-basin; for the Young(RMUTI), sub-basin, Khon and Kaen, has archived has collated this information a wealth as a database• applying housed at boththe RMUTICROPWAT-CLIMWAT and WDR Regional Office 4. This database consists of all available datasets on social and environmentof climate factors related for datathe sub-basin. and information for program to generate information on the Young sub-basin, and has archived this crop cultivation patterns in the Young The overall objective of this initiative is to accurately assess the risk and impact of climate information as a database housed at both Sub-basin; change on the Young sub-basin. Key activities undertaken to date include: RMUTI and WDR Regional Office 4. This • assessing the climate risk of the Young database consists downscaling of all availabledata to local datasets climate on data in orderSub-basin to create a climate by using model predicted for future the sub-basin by using the global circulation modelsclimate (GCMs) scenarios. from the Start- social and environmentSoutheast Asia factors START for Regional the sub- Center in Bangkok; basin.  collating meteorological data such as rainfall, temperature, evaporation and stream-flow, from relevant government agencies;Climate model  using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to predict runoff The overall objective of this initiative is to data for the Young Sub-basin; accurately assess applying the risk the and CROPWAT-CLIMWAT impact of climate programA general to method generate of information downscaling on based change on thecrop Young cultivation sub-basin. patterns Key in activities the Young Sub-basin;on the GCMs Model (Figure 36) was used to  undertaken toassessing date include: the climate risk of the Young obtainSub-basin data by for using the predictedSub-basin. future The RMUTI CCAI climate scenarios. team applied the A2 and B2 type for building • downscaling data to local climate data the statistical downscaling model. Climate model in order to create a climate model for the A generalsub-basin method of by downscaling using the global based circulationon the GCMs ModelThe regression (Figure 36) results was used for toboth obtain A2 and B2 data for modelsthe Sub-basin. (GCMs) The from RMUTI the Start-Southeast CCAI team applied showedthe A2 and an B2increase type for of buildingminimum the temperature statistical downscaling model. in the Young Sub-basin (Figure 37). Asia START Regional Center in Bangkok; The regression• collating results meteorological for both A2 and data B2 showedsuch asan increase of minimum temperature in the Young Sub-basinrainfall, temperature,(Figure 37). evaporation and

Figure Figure36. Downscaling 36. Downscaling technique technique

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 91

FigureFigure 37. 37. Linear Linear regressionregression models models and and predicted predicted change change in temperature in temperature of the Youngof the YoungSub- Sub-basin basinFigure 37. Linear regression models and predicted change in temperature of the Young Sub- basin HydrologicalHydrological model model processed by the program to create a model Hydrological model specific to the Young Sub-basin. The RMUTI team used the SWAT programme to create a hydrological model of the Young The RMUTI team used the SWAT programme to RiverThe RMUTI (Figure team 38). Dataused onthe precipitation, SWAT programme infiltration, to create surface a run-off,hydrological evapo-transpiration, model of the Young createlateralRiver a hydrologicalflow (Figure and percolation 38). model Data were onof the precipitation, input Young into River and infiltrprocessed Theation, monthly by surface the program run-off run-off, to createprediction evapo-transpiration, a model for the Young (Figurespecificlateral 38). flowto theData and Young on percolation precipitation,Sub-basin. were infiltration,input into and mainprocessed channel by the created program by to the create SWAT a model is specific to the Young Sub-basin. surfaceThe monthly run-off, run-off evapo-transpiration, prediction for the Young lateral main channelillustrated created in Figure by the 39. SWAT model is

flowillustrated and in Figurepercolation 39. were input into and The monthly run-off prediction for the Young main channel created by the SWAT model is illustrated in Figure 39.

Figure 38. Schematic of hydrological model development using the SWAT

FigureFigure 38. 38. Schematic Schematic of of hydrological hydrological model model development development using the SWAT

92 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate68 Change Adaptation

Figure 39. Monthly run-off in the Young main channel predicted by the SWAT

Figure 39. Monthly run-off in the Young main channel predicted by the SWAT Crop Figurewater 39. requirement Monthly run-off in model the Young main channel predicted by the SWAT Crop water requirement model The waterCrop water requirements requirement model of rice crops were predicted using the CROPWAT 8.0 program of the

Food The and water Agriculture requirements of Organization rice crops were pred of icted the using United theBased CROPWAT Nations on the 8.0 (FAO).input program data, of The the CROPWAT calculation indicates of water an requirementsTheFood water and Agriculture requirementswas based Organization on of soil rice ofproperties, the crops United were Nations climate (FAO).irrigation data The and calculationschedule specific of for water differentcrop water management requirement predictedrequirements using was based the CROPWATon soil properties, 8.0 climate program data and specific crop water requirement data. data. conditions and calculates a schedule for water of the Food and Agriculture Organization supply for varying crop patterns (Figure 40). BasedBased on on the the input input data, data, CROPWAT CROPWAT indicates indicatesan irrigation an schedule irrigation for different schedule for different of themanagement United conditions Nations and (FAO). calculates The a calculationschedule for water Further,supply for thevarying CROPWAT crop patterns 8.0 Program can also be managementof (Figure water 40). requirements conditions Further, the CROPWATand was calculates based 8.0 Program on a schedule soil can also befor used water to evaluate supply farmers’ for varying crop patterns (Figureirrigation 40). practices Further, and the to estimate CROPWAT the performance 8.0 ofProgram cropsused in both tocan evaluate rainfed also and be farmers’ irrigated used to irrigation evaluate practices farmers’ properties,fields. climate data and specific crop and to estimate the performance of crops in irrigation practices and to estimate the performance of crops in both rainfed and irrigated fields.water requirement data. both rainfed and irrigated fields.

Figure 40. Water requirements for irrigating 1 rai of jasmine rice (0.16 ha) created by CROPWAT

FigureFigure 40. 40. Water Water requirements requirements forfor irrigating irrigating 1 rai1 rai of jasmineof jasmine rice (0.16rice (0.16 ha) created ha) created by CROPWAT by CROPWAT

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 93

GIS using Google Earth well as by community groups. Accordingly, the GIS using Google Earth team developed a simplified GIS modelling system using Google Earth (Figure 41), which TheThe RMUTIRMUTI CCAI CCAI project project team team considered considered thatthat applying the professional GIS program may limitapplying the use the of professionalgeographic information GIS program by maylocal, districtenables and users provincial of different governments skill sets as towell manage aslimit by the community use of geographic groups. Accordingly, information the byteam and developed make changes a simplified on particular GIS modelling attributes for systemlocal, districtusing Google and provincial Earth (Figure governments 41), which as en ablestheir users specific of different purposes. skill sets to manage and make changes on particular attributes for their specific purposes.

FigureFigure 41 41. GIS GIS features features of of the the Young Young Sub-basin Sub-basin using using Google Google Earth Earth

Climate telemetering system Climate telemetering system climate sensors; the data are then logged in The RMUTI team developed a low-cost climate telemetering system. This was a prototype the EEPROM and sent to the RMUTI computer assembled using basic climate data sensors, which collects information on rainfall, wind speedThe RMUTI and direction, team developed and temperature a low-cost and climate humidity, serverand stores at setit in regular a data logger. time intervals. Using solar A server power,telemetering data from system. the data-logger This was are a prototypethen remotely computer sent to the was main used server to store at RMUTI the data via sent a from Generalassembled Packet using Radio basic Service climate (GPRS) data sensors, module Internetthe four network. Young A Sub-basin transmitter stations, consisting which of were a microcontroller reads data from the climate sensors; the data are then logged in the then made available to users over the Internet. EEPROMwhich collects and sent information to the RMUTI on rainfall, computer wind server at set regular time intervals. A server computerspeed and was direction, used to store and the temperature data sent from and the fourThe Young data are Sub-basin displayed stations, in a format which datawere table, thenhumidity, made andavailable stores to it users in a dataover logger.the Internet. Using The withdata areline displayed graphics toin bea format compared data withtable, a time with line graphics to be compared with a time line. solar power, data from the data-logger are then line.

Aremotely diagram sent of the to climate the main telemetering server at RMUTI system via for the Young sub-basin is shown in Figures 42 anda General 43. Packet Radio Service (GPRS) module A diagram of the climate telemetering system Internet network. A transmitter consisting for the Young sub-basin is shown in Figures 42

of a microcontroller reads data from the and 43.

94 Local Demonstration Projects on Climate Change Adaptation

Figure 42. Diagram showing a climate telemetering system

Figure 42. 42. Diagram Diagram showing showing a climate a climate telemetering telemetering system system

Figure 43. Internet transmission system Figure 43. Internet transmission system Figure 43. Internet transmission system This telemetering prototype was installed and tested with a DC supply from solar cell panels, This telemetering prototype was installed and Figure 45, are then converted into tables, withThis energytelemetering stored inprototype a battery was that installedis able to andcontinuing tested withenergy a DCsupply supply more from than solarfive days cell panels, testedwithout with direct a DC sunlight. supply from Key componentssolar cell panels, of the climategraphics telemetering and trend station analysis. are shown in Figurewith energy 44. The stored data transmitted in a battery from that the is climate able to telemetering continuing stations, energy as supply shown more in Figure than 45, five days witharewithout energythen converted direct stored sunlight. into in a tables, battery Key graphics componentsthat isand able trend to of analysis. the climate telemetering station are shown in continuing Figure 44. energy The data supply transmitted more than from five the climatedays Fourtelemetering climate stations,telemetering as shown stations in Figure have 45,been are then converted into tables, graphics and trend analysis. withoutFour climate direct telemetering sunlight. Keystations components have been already of installedalready in installed the Young in Sub-Basin the Young as part Sub-Basin as of the CCAI project, the locations of which are shown in Figure 46. the Four climate climate telemetering telemetering stationstations arehave shown been alreadypart installed of the CCAI in the project, Young the Sub-Basin locations as of part which in of Figure the CCAI 44. Theproject, data the transmitted locations of from which the are shownare shown in Figure in Figure 46. 46. climate telemetering stations, as shown in

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 95

Figure 44. Components of climate telemetering station Figure 44. Components of climate telemetering station Figure 44. Components of climate telemetering station

Figure 45. Transmitted data reading

Figure 45. Transmitted data reading Figure 45. Transmitted data reading 72

Local Demonstration Projects on Climate72 Change Adaptation 96

FigureFigure 46. 46. Location Location of of the the installed installe dclimate climate telemetering telemetering stations stations

Final Report of the First Batch Project in Thailand 97

Office of the Secretariat in Phnom Penh (OSP) Office of the Secretariat in Vientiane (OSV) 576 National Road, #2, Chak Angre Krom, Office of the Chief Executive Officer P.O. Box 623, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 184 Fa Ngoum Road, Tel: (855-23) 425 353 P.O. Box 6101, Vientiane, Lao PDR Fax: (855-23) 425 363 Tel: (856-21) 263 263 Fax: (856-21) 263 264