Christopher Llones

The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) as water-saving technology aligns with the good agricultural practices (GAP) principles, particularly in the environmental management of water conservation. Thus, GAP adopters as farmer groups are seen as viable AWD adopters in the initial stages of scaling out the adoption in Thailand. However, the understanding of integrating AWD as water-saving management among GAP adopters remains scant. Using the case of rice GAP farmers in Thailand, the study found a higher probability of adoption intention among GAP compared to non-GAP. AWD perceived advantage, knowledge, and the suitability of rice farms for AWD adoption trials are positively associated with higher adoption intention. While higher fixed cost lowers the probability of adoption, variable cost is positively associated with higher adoption intention in the short-run production decision. In order to scale out the adoption of AWD, farmers’ understanding of the safe and proper application of AWD, together with assistance for crop insurance in the case of crop failure, will be crucial. Risks connected with the adoption decision continue to be the biggest barrier to adoption, especially among small-scale farmers.

The idea of shared irrigation management is expected to result in a better production outcome for farmers. However, there is little evidence of whether collective action participation leads to a higher level of production efficiency. Using cross-sectional survey data from irrigated rice farms in Northern Thailand, we found that a higher level of production efficiency is associated with higher participation in collective action. At the same time, engagement in collaborative works such as irrigation maintenance, group meetings, conflict resolution, and policy adherence has a marginal effect on farmers’ efficiency. Our findings suggest that complementing existing efforts in addressing irrigation issues with efforts to mobilize collective actions among farmers leads to an improved on-farm outcome.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of social capital with bonding and bridging distinction in promoting higher participation in collective action in participatory irrigation management.Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 304 farmers was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. A focus group discussion was also carried out with randomly selected water users, leaders and irrigation officers. A confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to test the hypothesised relationship of bonding and bridging social capital towards collective action.Findings: The findings show that social capital has a significant direct effect on collective action and an indirect effect on joint irrigation management's perceived performance through collective action (mediator). It implies the need to complement the participatory irrigation management programme with an understanding of the social aspects for a higher farmer's participation over the shared resource.Originality/value: The paper emphasises social capital's role in facilitating a real participatory engagement in shared resource management. Also, it is the first scholarly work linking social capital with bonding and bridging distinction towards collective action in a joint resource management context.