Development of Rain-Fed Paddy Fields in Dondaeng Village, Northeast Thailand, during the Last 70 Years

Thailand is one of the foremost countries in the world at producing and exporting rice. Half of the total rain-fed paddy fields of Thailand are located in Northeast Thailand. Due to the instability of rainfall and lack of irrigation facilities, rice cultivation in this region has been a severe concern. As a burgeoning population has incurred the expansion of paddy fields in the area, degradation of forest lands and salinization of cultivated lands have been occurring seriously. To meet the demands from the limited and marginal lands with unstable and intermittent rain, implementation of appropriate agricultural measures is essential. This study tries to examine and clarify the development process of paddy fields in farm villages, Northeast Thailand. Paddy plot maps: during the 1930s, in 1981 and 2002 were used and developed a GIS database in this study . Results from the study showed that the area of paddy fields has nearly doubled between the 1930s and 2002. The number of paddy plots within the Nongs has decreased and sizes have increased after 1981’s paddy plots reclamation. By 2002, all the paddy plots that existed prior to 1981 were integrated and expanded in size. The integration of small sized paddy plots was considered to be due to the implementation of modern agriculture technology.