Farmers’ adaptation to water management under the effect of climate change in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province

Abstract

This research aimed to study demographic data of farmers, their farming conditions and water management in farming in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province: and to study the farmers’ perception toward climate change. Of which, 384 farmers out of 9,781 households were chosen for this research by using simple random techniques.The instrument was constructed by the researcher, and structural interviewed which consisting of close-ended and open-ended questions. The research findings revealed that the majority of the sample group were men with the average age of 50, married, Buddhist, and had primary-level education. Most of them are Thai and the rest are from other ethnic groups. The average individual income was 83,947 Baht per year and the annual household income was163,968 Baht. Farming areas were 15.8 Rai per household and most of the farmers’s samples have ownership over the land. Major cash crops include rice, maize, longan and garlic. Labor used in farming was domestic. Most of the farming areas are non-irrigated and depend on natural water sources, particularly rain water. 10% of farming areas have been flooded and 25% face inadequate water supply and no action has been taken. The only way was to let the nature solve itself. With regard to farmer’s perception of global warming, 74% of the farmers’ samples percieved of the issue. Most of them explained that global warming was the increase of temperatures which affected the changes of seasons and resulted in production loss due to the increase of various diseases and insect plant pests. The increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers were also lead to higher cost of production and lower income. 68% of the farmers described climate changeas the fluctuation of temperatures which could slow down the growth of plants, contribute to the spread of diseases and insects. This would result in the higher cost of maintenance and decrease of income. Supports from the government sector which farmers needed were the provision of reserved water supply in case of drought.