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

Saraphirom, Phayom; Choenkwan, Sukanlaya; Promkhambut, Arunee; Jinai, Tansuda

doi:10.24259/fs.v9i2.43675

Open access Jurnal

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

Forest and Society · Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025) · pp. 684–706

DOI: 10.24259/fs.v9i2.43675
ISSN: 2549-4333, 2549-4724
Published: 2025-09-22
Publisher: Forestry Faculty, Universitas Hasanuddin
Language: en
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

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.

Keywords

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Co-author	Organisation	Joint articles
Micah R. Fisher	Affiliation unknown	1
Bénédicte Chambon	Affiliation unknown	1
Supattra Kullawong	Affiliation unknown	1
Satit Aditto	Affiliation unknown	1
Pakhuan Wannaprasert	Affiliation unknown	1
A. Terry Rambo	Affiliation unknown	1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.

Original metadata (oai_dc)

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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Adaptive Water Management Strategies for Subsistence Rice Farming Under Projected Rainfall Variability in Drought-Risk Khon Kaen, Thailand</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Saraphirom, Phayom</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Choenkwan, Sukanlaya</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Promkhambut, Arunee</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Jinai, Tansuda</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Adaptive Water Management</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Climate Change Scenarios (SSP245, SSP585</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Supplemental Irrigation</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Crop Water Requirements</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Northeastern Thailand</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">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.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Forestry Faculty, Universitas Hasanuddin</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-09-22</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/article/view/43675</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.24259/fs.v9i2.43675</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Forest and Society; Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025): DECEMBER; 684-706</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2549-4333</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2549-4724</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/fs/article/view/43675/13403</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Forest and Society</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</dc:rights>
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