The Relationship between Effective and Equitable Water Allocation, Local Rice Farmer Participation and Economic Well-Being: Insights from Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between equitable water allocation, participation in the local irrigation operation, and improved economic well-being. The study area consisted of the rice-growing districts of Doi Saket and Mae On in Thailand's northern province Chiang Mai, where locals have adopted a participatory farmer-managed irrigation system. The samples were 150 small-scale rice farmers who were divided into four groups by their membership: community irrigation (CI); community irrigation and enterprise (CIE); and farmland location (head-end or tail-end of the irrigation canal). The findings revealed a strong relationship between the three variables. Specifically, despite less advantageous farmland locations, the tail-end CI farmers outperformed in the dry-season and annual paddy yields per household. The higher paddy yields translated into higher household earnings. The improved economic well-being of the tail-end CI farmers could be attributed to their active participation in the local irrigation operation. Another contributing factor was equitable water allocation, which is the product of the farmers' active participation as their irrigation demands and concerns are constantly acknowledged and addressed. Importantly, the findings verified the effectiveness and usability of the participatory irrigation system in tackling the problem of inequitable water allocation between the head-end and tail-end farmers. Moreover, the participatory irrigation scheme was readily implementable since it required no additional investment, only active local participation.

Financial Well-being of Rural Households: A Theoretical Framework and Application

“…"Farm business financial satisfaction is conceptualized in this study as the level of one's satisfaction with one's current farm financial situation, or the subjective feelings concerning the financial aspect of the farming business". Kosanlawit, Soni and Shivakoti (2017) Economic Well-Being -- Mammen, Dolan and Seiling (2015) Economic Well-Being -- Smale and Mason (2014) Economic Well-Being -- Akter and Basher (2014) Economic Well-Being -- Financial Health -- Financial Health/ Perceived Financial Health -- Mojoyinola and Blinkhorn (2013) Economic Well-Being -- Matyas and Silva (2013) Economic Well-Being -- Kopta (2009) Financial Health -- Economic Well-Being -- Economic Well-Being --El-Osta, Mishra and Morehart (2007) Economic Well-Being --Simmons et al (2007) Economic Well-Being "Economic well-being was defined and measured according to important indicators of welfare and economic independence." Austin et al (2006) Economic Well-Being -- Economic Well-Being -- Mykerezi and Mills (2004) Economic Well-Being -- Beckett and Pebley (2003) Economic Well-Being --Allen-Smith (1994) Economic Well-Being -- Gustafson (1989) Financial Health -- Klein and Tkatchyk (1987) Financial Health -- Economic Well-Being --…”

“…Journal Terms used related to FWB Vavrek et al (2022) International Food and Agribusiness Management Review Financial Health Bartholomae et al (2021) Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal Financial Well-Being Agriculture (Switzerland) Financial Health The Indian Journal of Labour Economics Economic Well-Being Economic and Political Weekly Economic Well-Being Review of Development Economics Economic Well-Being Mello, Azizi and Kama (2020) Human Organization Economic Well-Being Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics Economic Well-Being İzmen and Üçdoğruk Gürel (2020) Annals of Regional Science Economic Well-Being/Perceived Economic Well-Being Hong, Land Use Policy Economic Well-Being Lu and Horlu (2017) Journal of Rural Studies Economic Well-Being Archuleta et al (2017) Journal of Family and Economic Issues Financial Satisfaction Kosanlawit, Soni and Shivakoti (2017) Water (Switzerland) Economic Well-Being Mammen, Dolan and Seiling (2015) Journal of Family and Economic Issues Economic Well-Being Smale and Mason (2014) Journal of Development Studies Economic Well-Being Akter and Basher (2014) Global Environmental Change Economic Well-Being Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis…”

“…Chase and Lerohl (1981) Economic Well-Being -- Farm yields (Kosanlawit, Soni and Shivakoti, 2017;; Saving ; Employment (Simmons et al, 2007); Health or education (Austin et al, 2006) Subjective Perceptions Perceptions on: Income level(İzmen and Üçdoğruk Gürel, 2020); Current economic conditions (Simmons et al, 2007); Life condition improved in the past years ; Life condition comparing to neighbors (Beckett and Pebley, 2003) Less than 0.7 (1); 0.7-1.1 (2); 1.1-1.5 (3); 1.5-2.0 (4); over 2.0 (5) FFSC,…”

Classification and Estimation of Irrigation Waters Based on Remote Sensing Images: Case Study in Yucheng City (China)

“…In Nepal, access to an irrigation system is correlated with the value of farmland [13]. Irrigation canals provide water for paddy growing in Northern provinces of Thailand, and the location of the paddy is mainly determined by the availability of irrigation waters in the dry season [14]. In Iran, irrigation canals and wells provide large amounts of water for agricultural production each year, and the huge demand has led to the diminishment of freshwater lakes as well as additional environmental problems [15].…”

Kebutuhan Lahan Pertanian Minimum untuk Kesejahteraan Petani di Pulau Sumatera

“…Di Cina, dalam perspektif yang sedikit berbeda, banyak penelitian yang menekankan akses ke kemajuan teknologi (termasuk TIK) dan peningkatan pengetahuan sebagai salah satu faktor terpenting untuk kesejahteraan petani [15]. Sedangkan di Asia Tenggara, [17].…”