Model of Farmer Participation’s Level in Irrigation System Maintenance Case Study: Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam Operation and Maintenance Project

Abstract

The purpose of the research is 1) to study general and socio-economic conditions of farmers that using irrigation water, 2) to study the factors that affects the farmer participation in the maintenance of irrigation system, and 3) to suggest how to encourage farmers to participate in the maintenance of the irrigation system. The samples used in this study are the member of the irrigation water users group in Khun Dan Prakarnchon dam operation and maintenance Project, Nakornnayok Province. Data were collected from questionnaires and interviews processed with statistical software package analysis results using t-Test and F-Test and determined the statistical significance level at 0.05 and test the correlation coefficient.
The results showed that Irrigation Water Users’ Group is formed and managed together with government officers. Rules and Regulations as well as agreement to pay for maintenance fee is established and administered in each beneficial area. The farmers’ participation in irrigation system maintenance is in moderate level. The three first participation characteristics are 1) participated in dredging irrigation system, 2) participated in donating for irrigation system maintenance activities, and 3) participated in Irrigation Operation and Maintenance plan.
Socioeconomic factors that affecting farmer’s participation in irrigation system maintenance include age, education, status and role in water users’ group, land holdings, occupation, type of crop cultivation, and the location of the farm. The three first factors affecting farmer’s participation in irrigation system maintenance are 1) irrigation officers provide the instructions for the maintenance of the irrigation system, 2) water users’ group has various activities for the member to join continuously 3) irrigation officers regularly provide training courses and sharing knowledge of irrigation system maintenance.