The water footprint of sugarcane and cassava in northern Thailand

Abstract

This study assesses the water footprint (WF) of sugarcane and cassava in northern Thailand. The WF is an indicator that expresses the amount of freshwater embodied in each ton of crop produce. It varies considerably for each region, which is characterized by different climate and agricultural production systems. On average the WF of sugarcane (202 m3/ton) is less than that of cassava (509 m3/ton). At the provincial level, the WF of sugarcane is most intensive in Lampang (252 m3/ton) and less intensive in Kamphaeng Phet (167 m3/ton). Uthai Thani is the province where the WF of cassava is the highest (547 m3/ton), while Kamphaeng Phet has the lowest WF. If Thailand were to move toworads a low carbon society by switching from fossil fuel to bioenergy the effect on the volume of water usage in agricultural production is likely to increase. Therefore, the main problem facing Thailand will be water scarcity if water resource is not managed properly, this study showed the importance of water management for sustainable – bioenergy production and the competition for water resource between “water for food” or “water for energy”