Technology Transfer Using Rubber Latex Application in Irrigation System Maintenance

Abstract

The technology transfer of applying rubber latex in the maintenance of irrigation system aims to arrange workshops for the relevant participants in order to disseminate the technology of using the rubber latex in the repairing of irrigation canals. This also publicizes the outcome of researches and innovations into the potential target groups, who will benefit in the real world practice. This technology transfer synthesizes the knowledge from the results of various previous researches; including (1) the development of coating material mixed with rubber latex for irrigation canal maintenance, (2) the development of mortar mixed with latex for jointed irrigation canal crack, and (3) the study of seepage water losses in irrigation canal model mixed with latex. The results of knowledge synthesis have been collected and published in the technology transfer manual.
The technology transfer is separated into theory and practice sessions. The theory session includes the overview of irrigation system, the maintenance of irrigation canal, the basic knowledge of rubber latex & its composition, and the development of mortar and coating material mixed with latex. The practice session includes the demonstration of mixture preparation and mixing procedure of the mortar and coating material mixed with latex. The demonstration also includes the using of mortar mixed with latex to repair irrigation canals at Mae Yom operation and management irrigation project in Phrae province. The field demonstration of repairing irrigation canal by coating material and mortar mixed with latex motivates the participated farmers to apply this technology for the canal repairing in their own crop areas.