ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL DROUGHT RISK AREAS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS IN THE MAE WANG RIVER BASIN, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The research aims to analyze agricultural drought risk areas and study factors influencing agricultural drought in the Mae Wang River Basin. Eight factors were considered in the analysis: average annual rainfall, soil texture, land use, slope, drainage density, irrigation area, repeatedly drought-prone area, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Weighting factors were determined through hierarchical analysis and analyzed using a geographic information system. Based on the results, the factor with the most significant influence is the average annual rainfall. In contrast, the factor with the least influence is the normalized difference vegetation index. Agricultural drought risk areas were classified into three levels: high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk.
It was found that 96.94 percent of the area was classified as medium-risk. As for the high-risk areas were identified in Yang Khram Subdistrict, Santisuk Subdistrict, and Thung Pee Subdistrict, which are located in the eastern part of the study area. These areas have a plain geographical terrain, and the land is used for agriculture. Soil texture can be categorized into sandy soils groups. They have a low drainage density, measuring less than 1.03 kilometers per square kilometer. These regions experience rainfall within drought criteria and have a gentle slope. These research results will assist local authorities and decision-makers in effectively managing water and spatial resources to mitigate potential damage from droughts that may occur.