Phitsanulok community water-source development project expands irrigation systems to tackle drought and boost agricultural yields

This week Phitsanulok province began implementing a community water-source development project and expanding irrigation systems in agricultural areas repeatedly affected by drought. The project is funded by regional authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture, with primary goals to increase water security for cultivation, raise yields of the province’s main crops, and reduce risks from increasingly severe climate variability.

Participating agencies include the Irrigation Office Region 3, the provincial administrative organization, and local agricultural cooperatives. They surveyed existing water sources, small reservoirs, and public irrigation canals to design improvements and expand the water network. The surveys found that in many subdistricts aging systems are deteriorated, water is lost along conveyance routes, and storage is insufficient at the end of the dry season. This investment covers repairing check dams, dredging canals, building medium-sized reservoirs, and installing solar-powered pumping systems for small farms.

Several local farmers said they face persistent water shortages year after year, forcing them to reduce planted area or cut back on water-intensive crops such as maize and sugarcane. Efficient irrigation systems will enable better cropping plans, increase output and income, and are important for food security and the local economy. The head of a subdistrict agricultural cooperative said many villagers will benefit directly from adequate water during planting and crop growth stages.

Beyond agricultural benefits, the project addresses environmental factors by building erosion-control measures, improving wetlands as habitats for local aquatic species, and promoting water-saving farming techniques such as crop rotation, drip irrigation, and soil management to boost on-farm water retention. Plans include training farmers in water management and appropriate cultivation technologies so water resources are used sustainably.

The project will be implemented in phases, with targeted areas expected to be completed within the first two to three years. Subsequent phases will extend to other subdistricts if results meet objectives. The province expects increased agricultural production and wider income distribution in communities, while also encouraging sustainable farming practices and reducing rural-to-urban labor migration.

The governor emphasized that the project’s success depends on community participation and transparent management, and confirmed there will be regular monitoring and evaluation and channels for public feedback. The project will also be linked to market support measures and income-guarantee schemes so farmers benefit sustainably in terms of both production and income.