Phayom Saraphirom, Sukanlaya Choenkwan, Arunee Promkhambut, Tansuda Jinai

Adaptive Water Management Strategies for Subsistence Rice Farming Under Projected Rainfall Variability in Drought-Risk Khon Kaen, Thailand

Introduction

Adaptive water management strategies for subsistence rice farming under projected rainfall variability in drought-risk khon kaen, thailand. Explore adaptive water management strategies for drought-prone subsistence rice farming in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This study integrates climate data & farmer insights to boost resilience & food security.

Abstract

This study offers new insights into adaptive water management for drought-prone subsistence rice farming in Ban Thum Sub-district, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. By triangulating climate science, agronomy, and farmers’ socio-economic conditions, we assess drought risk and identify feasible adaptation strategies. The analysis integrates 30 years of observed climate data (1994–2023), mid-century projections (2024–2053) under SSP 245 and SSP 585, as well as semi-structured interviews with farmers. Stage-specific effective rainfall, crop evapotranspiration, and supplemental water requirements were calculated. Although total rainfall is projected to rise slightly, severe and moderate droughts are expected to remain frequent, particularly during the heading and ripening stages. In drought years, sustaining yields of 200–300 kg rai⁻¹ will require an additional 200–1,300 m³ rai⁻¹ of water. Groundwater wells and large farm ponds are technically effective but financially inaccessible to most smallholders; smaller ponds represent a more affordable alternative. The findings underscore the importance of targeted adaptation, including enhanced on-farm storage, optimized irrigation scheduling, and supportive policies such as low-interest loans and infrastructure subsidies. By linking climate projections to local capacities, this study provides a practical roadmap for strengthening rice-farming resilience and safeguarding food security in one of Thailand’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Review

This study presents a timely and highly relevant investigation into adaptive water management strategies for subsistence rice farming in drought-prone regions of Thailand, specifically Khon Kaen. The authors adeptly address a critical challenge faced by vulnerable farming communities globally: the impact of projected rainfall variability on agricultural livelihoods and food security. A significant strength of this work lies in its robust interdisciplinary approach, triangulating climate science, agronomic principles, and crucial socio-economic insights from local farmers. This comprehensive methodological framework, integrating observed climate data, mid-century projections, and qualitative farmer interviews, provides a holistic understanding of drought risk and potential adaptive capacities, setting a strong foundation for practical interventions. The research yields compelling findings, projecting that while overall rainfall might slightly increase, the frequency of severe and moderate droughts will persist, particularly impacting sensitive crop stages like heading and ripening. Quantifying the substantial supplemental water requirements (200–1,300 m³ rai⁻¹) to maintain viable yields (200–300 kg rai⁻¹) offers precise data critical for planning. Crucially, the study moves beyond mere technical solutions by assessing their financial accessibility for smallholders, identifying smaller farm ponds as a more pragmatic and affordable alternative compared to technically effective but financially inaccessible options like groundwater wells and large farm ponds. This nuanced evaluation provides a realistic basis for designing effective adaptation strategies. The findings carry significant implications for policy and practice, advocating for targeted adaptation measures that are both technically sound and socio-economically feasible. The emphasis on enhanced on-farm storage, optimized irrigation scheduling, and supportive governmental policies—such as low-interest loans and infrastructure subsidies—provides a clear, actionable roadmap for strengthening the resilience of subsistence rice farmers. By effectively bridging global climate projections with local realities and capacities, this study makes a substantial contribution to safeguarding food security in one of Thailand's most climate-vulnerable regions, serving as an excellent model for integrated climate adaptation research applicable to similar contexts worldwide.

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