Assessment of environmental impacts of small-holding agroforestry projects in central and north eastern Thailand | |
| Author | Piracha Toonsakul |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-16-14 |
| Subject(s) | Agroforestry Agricultural systems--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-16-14 |
| Abstract | Eucalyptus had been popular for many years. It was known among the farmer that agroforestry techniques were that is useful for their farms. This research evaluates the farmer’s perception on rice-eucalyptus agroforestry system and effects on soil, water quality and yield of farm by investigating in laboratory, undertaking questionnaire, direct observation and in depth interview. The study was conducted in three selected districts at 50 locations to find the effects of eucalyptus plantations in rice fields. Though soil properties indicated acidic properties with reduction in soil nutrients due to eucalyptus plantations, when parameters of rice field such as pH, OM, TK, TP, TCA and TMg were compared to rice-eucalyptus agroforestry there was no significant change. However, some changes were observed in available K, P and Ca where eucalyptus plantation might be held responsible. Higher acidic conditions were found in top soil than that of subsoils in the regions of Ubon Rachathani. Although due to urban interface the Prachinburi surface river water showed less DO, it was suitable for agricultural purposes. Similarly Mun river showed high levels of BOD, COD but was still usable for agriculture as it did not have any urban interference. Degraded water quality was observed due to prolonged drought conditions yet it did not affect the yield or health of the farms due to the survival capabilities of eucalyptus trees in adverse conditions. It was reviewed positively by 72 % of the farmers that there was no negative impact rice-eucalyptus agroforestry project on their quality and yield of the primary crop. Besides which they also expressed the allopathic benefit of eucalyptus tree on the farms which acted as a natural pest control. The project also favored women empowerment where lite workloads were assigned to them. Overall, agroforestry farming provided farmers extra income with least amount to work which had a great impact of development in their quality of life various ways. |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottatep;Vilas Nitivattananon; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 |