DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE WATER UTILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF BAN NONG BUA COMMUNITY, CHOENG DOI SUBDISTRICT, DOI SAKET DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

          The objectives of this study were to analyze the current utilization and management of water resources for agriculture in Ban Nong Bua Community, Choeng Doi Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province, and to develop a sustainable model for agricultural water utilization and management. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was employed. The key informants consisted of community leaders, village committee members, subdistrict heads, village heads, representatives from government and private organizations, and local residents-a total of 25 participants. Data were collected through document analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, and were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive presentation. The results revealed that Ban Nong Bua Community relied mainly on rainfall for cultivation, with limited secondary water sources such as Mueang Fai irrigation canals, streams, and groundwater wells, which would often dry up during the dry season, causing disruptions in farming activities. The community lacked a systematic and transparent water allocation mechanism, resulting in unequal access and occasional conflicts among farmer groups. Nevertheless, local wisdom-such as traditional Mueang Fai systems, the construction of bamboo check dams, and household-level water sharing-remained a vital social and cultural asset. Furthermore, results from the present study developed a Sustainable Agricultural Water Management Model integrating local wisdom with appropriate technology, consisting of three main components: 1) participatory community-based water management through the establishment of a community water management committee representing all sectors; 2) integration of local wisdom with modern technology, such as real-time water-level sensors, automatic water control systems, and supplementary reservoirs for drought periods; and 3) capacity building and promotion of responsible water use through training, knowledge sharing, and transparent water-use recording. The findings revealed three key impacts: 1) community impact; the community established a transparent and equitable participatory water management system that reduced conflicts; 2) policy impact; the developed model served as a prototype for local administrative organizations and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6 and SDG 13); and 3) knowledge impact; new insights were generated on integrating indigenous wisdom with technological innovation for sustainable water resource management.