Opportunities and constraints in adapting to flood and drought conditions in the Upper Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo assess alterations of the rice-growing season as a sustainable option to overcome temporary groundwater storage shortages resulting from flood and drought conditions in the Upper Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand, rice was planted in May (1.5 months earlier) to harvest before seasonal flooding occurred (normally in October). The assessment showed that a cropping intensity (CI) of approximately 1.4 (100% and 40% of the total agricultural area for the wet and dry seasons, respectively) could be supported by the total available water (surface runoff and renewable groundwater storage). Shifting the growing season did not have a negative impact in terms of rice production area, but it did ensure that the area of rice cultivation avoided flooding or surface water shortage conditions. Expanding the rice production area was also assessed; however, this required the implementation of artificial groundwater recharge (AGR). For example, 1.0 km3 of AGR annually was enough to support CI equal to 1.5 without experiencing groundwater depletion.