Drip irrigation system for coping with drought: A case study of Ontai subdistrict municipality, Chiangmai province

Abstract

Knowledge management of the drip irrigation system through the participatory action research aimed to increase water-use efficiency and help farmers cope with drought at Ontai Sub-District, Sankampang District, Chiang Mai Province. The effectiveness of using the drip irrigation system (drip tape) and the ditch groove system (conventional technique) for growing pepper in a demonstration plot was also investigated and compared. The result indicated that the important processes to success in knowledge management were 1) identify problem and knowledge that farmers need to be adopted; 2) select appropriate knowledge and technique for management; 3) create knowledge and apply technology by participatory process and 4) collect and curate knowledge systematically. In addition, there were six factors found to influence successful knowledge management. In growing pepper, the drip tape system used water on average 0.59-0.79 liter/stem/month while the ditch groove system used water on average 1.62-2.72 liter/stem/month. The drip tape system also enhanced a growth of pepper by providing higher stem and number of leaves than the ditch groove system of about 25.15% and 121.10% significantly (p<0.05). The amount of harvested pepper (Out-of-season growing) by using the drip tape system was 2.3 times higher than the ditch groove system. The period of return was 0.19 years and 0.35 years for the drip tape system and ditch groove system, respectively. The satisfaction issues in expanding results for practical application included saving in water and time, creating extra income and food security, and relieving the burden of elderly farmers.