Agricultural intensification in the Bang Phluang Irrigation Scheme, Prachinburi Sub-basin, Thailand, and its impacts on water management

Thailand has embarked on river basin-focused policies to improve technical infrastructure for and participation in water management. The Bang Phluang Irrigation Scheme in Thailand's eastern region was started in 1971 to provide irrigation water, to control floods and to prevent salt-water intrusion. Farmers have increased the number of rice harvests and introduced fish and shrimp cultures. Agricultural intensification, however, has led to competition for water and to conflicts among farmers. The paper analyzes, within the context of policy and institutional change, the effects of agricultural intensification on water use, water management, conflicts, and conflict resolution.