Effectiveness of Irrigation Water Management of Phufa Development Center Project under the Royal Initiative Nan Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the effectiveness of irrigation water management of the Phufa Development Center project; 2) to compare the effectiveness of participatory irrigation water management among water user groups in the Phufa Development Center project area classified by personal factors; and 3) to present the application of Iddhipada 4 to promote the effectiveness of irrigation water management in the Phufa Development Center project. This was the mixed-methods research. A conceptual framework in line with the Royal Irrigation Department's mission was conducted. The population consisted of 149 people who participated in the agricultural project in the Phu Fa Development Center project area, Bo Kluea District, and the expansion area in Chaloem Phra Kiat District,
Nan Province. The sample size was calculated using Taro Yamane's formula, resulting in a sample of 110 people with a reliability of 0.931. Data were analyzed using basic statistics and in-depth interviews with 10 key informants. Descriptive content analysis was used. The results of the research found that 1)overall, effectiveness of irrigation water management in the Phufa Development Center project was high (= 4.02);
2) a comparative study of the effectiveness of irrigation water management of the Phufa Development Center project classified by personal factors found that gender had no significant differences in their opinions on the effectiveness of irrigation water management. Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected. Differences in age, education level, occupation, and income showed statistically significant differences at .05. Therefore, the hypothesis was accepted; 3) the application of Iddhipada 4 to promote the effectiveness of irrigation water management of the Phufa Development Center project revealed that staff members were willing to sincerely help the people, took pride in their work, and accepted regulations. This resulted in members of the water user group developing discipline, shared responsibility, punctuality, unity, and mutual support. They were knowledgeable about water use planning and developing water management models. They were diligent, patient, responsible, and meticulous in their work. In a highly competitive society, they established clear goals and achieved sustainable problem-solving. They used wisdom to analyze and deliberate to address problems, understood the underlying factors, and implemented actions to achieve the established objectives.