Enhancing Rice Cultivation Efficiency of Farmers in the Bueng Boraphet Wetland Area, Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Agricultural areas surrounding Bueng Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand, lie outside the irrigation zone, where rice cultivation depends largely on rainfall during the wet season and off-season cropping throughout the year. These conditions complicate water-use assessment and create challenges for sustainable resource management. Major constraints to rice production include water scarcity, high input costs—particularly for fertilizers—limited technical knowledge, improper fertilizer use, frequent pest and disease outbreaks, inefficient weed control, and crop residue burning that degrades soil quality. Collectively, these problems reduce productivity, heighten environmental stress, and undermine long-term sustainability.

Objectives and Methodology: This research aimed to enhance rice cultivation efficiency in a 200-rai (32-hectare) pilot area in Wang Mahakon and Thap Krit Sub-districts through participatory action research (PAR). The study integrated site-specific fertilizer management (SSF) with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management to optimize both productivity and resource use. The participatory process involved nine key steps: (1) situational analysis and community planning; (2) participatory tools such as “Happiness Compass” and “Smart A4” to identify local needs; (3) establishment of community-led demonstration plots; (4) inter-community learning through study visits; (5) integration of expert knowledge and local wisdom; (6) mutual learning via field visits; (7) participatory feedback and data verification; (8) determination of appropriate field technologies; and (9) soil analysis and fertilizer application based on analytical results.

Results and Findings: Results showed that the integrated AWD–SSF system performed significantly better than traditional broadcasting in continuously flooded fields. In transplanted rice plots, the number of tillers per clump averaged 19.94, compared to 4.42 in traditional plots—a nearly fourfold increase—especially within 45 days after planting. This improvement stemmed from enhanced soil aeration during dry intervals, stimulating root and shoot development. Intermittent drying also activated soil microbes, improving nutrient availability and plant vigor. Although both systems showed natural self-thinning around 75 days after planting, overall growth and resilience remained superior in the improved plots.

Water consumption in traditional fields averaged 1,351 cubic meters per rai (8,444 m³/ha) per crop cycle, requiring five irrigation events. Under AWD, water use dropped to 810–910 m³/rai (5,060–5,690 m³/ha) with only three irrigation events—representing a 32–40% reduction. Yields increased from 742.32 kg/rai (4.64 t/ha) to 812.33 kg/rai (5.08 t/ha), surpassing the national average and indicating a 9.4% productivity gain. This improvement was attributed to balanced soil fertility management and the avoidance of straw burning, which helped maintain organic matter and nutrient balance.

Economic analysis revealed that net returns rose from 2,212.54 THB (≈68 USD) to 2,709.91 THB (≈83 USD) per rai. Although seedling costs were slightly higher, total expenses declined due to lower fertilizer and fuel use coupled with higher yields. The benefit–cost ratio improved from 1.41 to 1.49, strengthening farmers’ incentive to adopt the practice. The transplanting method also improved weed control—water retention during the first month suppressed weed growth by about 70%, and unwanted rice varieties (“weedy rice”) were reduced by 80% through manual removal.

The participatory process produced transformative community outcomes. Farmers gained a clearer understanding of production costs, input management, and sustainable practices. Participatory tools like the Happiness Compass encouraged reflection and context-based planning, fostering genuine behavioral change. Demonstration plots became “living laboratories,” where farmers observed biological, economic, and social impacts firsthand.

At the socio-economic level, farmers reduced unnecessary expenditures on fertilizers and fuel while improving grain quality and net income. Environmentally, AWD significantly conserved water and reduced chemical runoff, mitigating pollution and supporting the ecological balance of the Bueng Boraphet wetland. Socially, collective learning and leadership were strengthened through the formation of groups such as the Low-Carbon Bueng Boraphet Community Enterprise and Cost-Reduction Learning Groups, which continued collaboration with local agencies and served as community knowledge hubs.

The demonstration sites have since evolved into community learning centers, where experienced farmers act as trainers. In recognition of this success, Nakhon Sawan Province issued Provincial Order No. 3387/2567 to establish a steering committee for continued promotion of AWD-based rice farming in the Bueng Boraphet model area. The initiative has inspired inter-subdistrict collaboration through the Water Users and Low-Cost Rice Growers Network, facilitating knowledge sharing and scaling to neighboring areas. The outcomes have also been incorporated into youth training and environmental education curricula, ensuring long-term capacity building and intergenerational learning.

Conclusions: Ultimately, this participatory research established a new paradigm for community-based sustainable agriculture. By linking productivity, cost efficiency, environmental stewardship, and quality of life, it strengthened both human and social capital—the essential foundations of sustainability. The Bueng Boraphet experience demonstrates that when local communities actively engage in planning, experimentation, and evaluation, academic innovations such as AWD and SSF can be effectively localized, generating enduring economic, social, and ecological benefits across Thailand’s rainfed rice regions.