Phitsanulok, March 17- The Royal Irrigation Department has sent water into Bang Rakam fields so that farmers can begin farming. According to the plan to adjust the rice cultivation calendar for the year which continues for seven years in the hope that farmers can harvest in time before the flood The produce is not damaged by the flood. Then in mid-April, water will be sent to low-lying areas 11, Thung Chao Phraya Basin.

Praphit Chanma, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department Presided over the opening ceremony of the water supply system to adjust the rice cultivation calendar. Bang Rakam lowland area with Mr Phacharaset Boonsiri Sarisa Deputy Governor of Phitsanulok attended the ceremony held at Khlong Yaeng Moo, Tha Chang Subdistrict, Phrom Phiram District, Phitsanulok Province.

Mr. Prapit said that sending water to the Bang Rakam low-lying area before the rainy season is in line with the plan to adjust the rice cultivation calendar in the year. "Bang Rakam Model Project" because the Bang Rakam fields, consisting of Phrom Phiram District, Muang District, Bang Rakam District and Wat Bot District, Phitsanulok Province, and Kong Krailat District, Sukhothai Province, have recurring flooding problems. When it comes to floods that cause rice production to be damaged before harvesting, in 2016, the Royal Irrigation Department has integrated with all sectors to adjust the time of rice farming to speed up. from originally planted in May come in april so that farmers can harvest their produce within August Until now, stepping into the 7th year

for this year The Royal Irrigation Department will start gradually delivering water from the Sirikit Dam. At present, the amount of water in the reservoir is 5,240 million cubic meters or 55 percent of the reservoir's capacity. Approximately 2,390 million cubic meters of usable water is supplied to the Bang Rakam field. The area is about 2.65 hundred thousand rai, which is open for water to the irrigation system. From March 15, 2023, farmers can start planting rice from April 1 onwards so that the harvest can be completed by August 2023, with a total amount of water allocated about 310 million cubic meters.

After the farmers have finished harvesting the entire project, the Royal Irrigation Department will use the Thung Bang Rakam lowland area. It is a water retention area that supports the amount of water during the flood season from the Yom Basin. This will effectively reduce the impact of flooding in Phitsanulok Province and the economic area of Sukhothai Province. career promotion integration by bringing fish species to release into the field for farmers to have a supplementary career in fishing and also promote the processing of fish products and other agricultural products to generate additional income for farmers and communities. during the flood season at the end of November will begin to drain water from Thung Bang Rakam

The next area that the Royal Irrigation Department will supply water to farmers to grow rice before the rainy season is in lowland fields 11, Thung Chao Phraya Basin. which will be gradually sent from mid-April to start farming on May 1 so that the harvest can be harvested before the flood Then all 11 fields will be used as retention areas as well.

for draining water from fields A portion of the water will be left. for farmers to use in preparing the plots for planting rice in the next crop Help save water costs in another way as well.-Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency