The Objectives of this research were: 1. to study the general condition of agricultural water management at Pasak basin, Phetchabun Province, 2. to study factors affecting the agricultural water management at Pasak basin, Phetchabun Province and 3. to propose a model of people’s participation in agricultural water management at Pasak basin, Phetchabun Province.
Methodology was the mixed methods. The quantitative research collect data from 400 samples by simple random sampling using questionnaires with people in the Pasak River in Phetchabun province. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire with the reliability coefficient value of 0.960. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression. Qualitative research Collect data from 27 key informants, purposefully selected from experts with structured in-depth-interview form by face-to-face interviewing. Data were also collected from 12 participants in focus group discussion and were analyzed in descriptive interpretation.
Findings were as follows:
1. General conditions of agricultural water management at Pasak basin, Phetchabun Province was found that overall conditions of total agricultural water management in all 4 areas were at high level (= 3.85). Members’ conscious sense of responsibility was at the highest level (= 4.58). Each areas of agricultural water management revealed that; local loving consciousness. Sense of resource ownership and awareness of the problem and impact were at high level. Community Concern was at very high level (= 4.34). Each aspects of concern were that understand the importance of activities held in the community, being ready to participate in community activities such as having time, attention, willingness and ability to learn and use the benefits by overall were at very high level. Strength of the community was at high level with the mean level at (= 4.27). Each aspect of the community strength were that participation in public activities, idea expression for the benefit of the community, duty responsibility, by overall were at high level. The support receiving was at low level (= 2.20). Each aspect of support were that information support was at middle level, budget supporting for agricultural water and study tour to other areas were at low level.
2. Factors Affecting people’s participation in agricultural water management the basin Pasak Phetchabun Province were found that the community support, community concern and strength were at 18.3 percents. Factors affecting people’s participation in agricultural water management at Pasak Basin, Phetchabun Province in 2 areas were participation in decision making and in benefit sharing. Factors affecting people’s participation in agricultural water managent according to Apparihaniyadhamma had 2 aspects; 1) regular meeting and 2) not to initiate new rules.
3. A model for agricultural Water management model by peopl’s participation a Pasak basin, Phetchabun Province was that the participation of the people was the sensitive matter Therefore, it is necessary to develop knowledge and understanding in providing accurate information to the people. People’s opinions hearing, opening opportunities for people to be involved in the water management process from the planning stage, activities participation, monitoring and evaluation, participation in meeting, in activities involving water cnservation by integrating Apparihaniyadhamma with agricultural water management in oder to use water in all seasons as well as water resource improvement and development for long lasting, water allocation with just and rescpecting rules and regulations of the communities, effective water uses controlling, enhancing people’s knowledge in every community, enhancing the importance of water resource, using water with awareness to the fullest benefits. This criteria would hold people’s participatory agricultural water resource management process that would bring the justice and equality to the water sharing and using with the appropriate amount for plants. In return, the plants would yield good crops for high incomes and the people’s participation in agricultural water management would be the sustainable and long lasting process.
