Buri Ram: Water in communities across the nation will never run dry as long as residents rely on their abilities to manage water resources, Saman Lothong, a member of the Ban Limthong Water Management Network Committee says.
Ban Limthong, in the Nang Rong district of Buri Ram province, is recognised for its successful water management programmes based on His Majesty the King's initiatives. The royal initiatives, including kam ling, or monkey's cheek, water retention areas, are implemented along with other plans designed to ensure there is enough water during all seasons, particularly the dry season.
Ms Saman, a village chief at Ban Kok Phluang, which is next to Ban Limthong, said she had been working with the Ban Limthong water network for 20 years before bringing the water management initiative to her village.
"I had a tough time at the beginning when I was trying to implement water management schemes. Many people opposed the plan as they did not understand why they had to give part of their land to build kam ling to store water," Ms Saman said.
"They had no knowledge of climate change and the effects it could have on their crops. They also did not know how kam ling could help address water issues. Because of this, they disliked me.
"It took me about two years to change their minds, making it clear that better water management initiatives could help Kok Phluang villagers avoid difficulties caused by drought."
As part of the water management programme, residents are given information on efficient water usage. Farmers are trained to implement crop rotation and integrated farming techniques. They are also taught to use GPS technology and maps to help determine where to excavate ponds and canals for rice fields.
Ms Saman said farmers planted vetiver grass and shade trees around retention ponds and canals to reduce water evaporation and prevent soil erosion. Farmers were taught to develop accounting and production plans to help them address issues related to drought.
"We taught them many things, including recycling household water for agricultural use. It was difficult, but it was our duty to make a better change to the community,'' she said.
Ms Saman said she and Sanit Thipnangrong, Ban Limthong's community leader, have shared experiences and ideas for over 20 years now, furthering their knowledge of water management systems and agricultural practices that help farmers during dry spells.
Successful water management initiatives in Ban Limthong have been a model of good practice for 42 other communities in five tambons nearby. Following Ban Limthong's lead, these communities now use water more sustainably, benefitting more than 2,000 families in the area.
"The average income and property assets of villagers have increased. Farmers were able to pay off their debts. Farmers' children no longer need to find a job in a city," Ms Saman said, adding the community can even harvest rice during droughts.
Apart from rice, alternative crops such as chilli, eggplant, bean, banana, watermelon, potato and mushroom are also thriving in her community.
"I stopped growing rice because of a sharp decline in the price, not because of the drought. It was not worth our efforts so we started growing watermelon and potato instead," said Sutin Wongnangrong, 60, who owns 14 rai of farmland in Ban Kok Phluang.
"I invested 9,000 baht to grow watermelon and potato farming. It also provides my family with a good yield. Now I earn 50,000 baht per month," he said.
Mr Sutin said he has enough water for agricultural purposes thanks to the water management plan. After implementing water conservation in their own communities, Ms Saman and Ms Sanit shared their knowledge with other communities in the Northeast, the region that has faced some of the toughest drought conditions in recent years.
"We [Ms Saman and Ms Sanit] went to other communities in the region to share our models but we saw many leaders lack the knowledge to address water problems," Ms Saman told the Bangkok Post.