Author : Keopaserth Sourinphoumy

Summary : The objectives of the research were (1) to study general social-economic condition and resources utilization; (2) to study the level of participation; and (3) to study factors relating to participatory irrigation management of water users groups in Thoung Harb Tha Ngon Project, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Methodology was to interview the sample of 340 from 2,303 families, in 5 villages. The data were statistically processed and analyzed by one-way ANOVA focusing on frequency, mean and standard deviation. It also included the study on factors affecting the success of Water Users Groups activities.

The social-economic was studied and analyzed in 5 villages with the population of 9,821. The population is expected to increase (in 2017, 2022, 2027 and 2032) with the growth rate of 2.60% which is low as compared to 3.05% and Xaythany at District Level, but close to 2.80% at the country level. For the economic growth, the gross product was 16,279.69 million Baht, whereas the agriculture sector was 2,526.71 million Baht. The average per capita income was 62,391 Baht per year which was slightly higher than the Poverty Line of 60,372 Baht per capita per year. There are 2 headworks and 5 pumping stations in the Irrigation Project, each pumping station has the capacity of 23.4 cms. Average rainfall is 1,930 mm/year. Average temperature is 26°C. Relative humidity is 78%. Evaporation is 1,108 mm/year. The average runoff is 261,742 million cubic meter per year. of the Project area, the area of 4,112 Rai was cropped with 5 major crops which are rice (main), field crops, perennial plants, fruits and vegetables.

The result of the study showed that most of the sample were rice farmers with 3 labors per household on the average. About 52% of them occupied 6-10 Rai of paddy field on the average and got water from the Irrigation Project for rice cultivation and got the average income of 60,000 Baht/year. They have knowledge on Irrigation water management at high level, and Participation in water management in paddy fields at moderate level, and participation in all aspects, i.e. getting benefit from Irrigation water management, planning of irrigation water use, and irrigation system maintenance at moderate level. In addition, water supply is sufficient for every activity in the Irrigation Project.