Chinese and Thai experts learn about crop water demand testing at the Guangxi Irrigation Experimental Central Station in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]

A team of 30 agricultural irrigation experts, government officials and local community representatives from China and Thailand visited Guilin, a city in southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on September 28, to study climate-smart water and rice farming technologies as part of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism.

In Songlin village, Huixian township of Guilin, researchers from China’s Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute (CRSRI) of Changjiang Water Resources Commission, demonstrated smart irrigation equipment to Thai experts.

"With our smart equipment, the data on flow rate, water level, soil moisture and meteorology can be remotely monitored in real-time with just a digital device in your hand," said Li Yalong, director of CRSRI's Agricultural Water Conservancy Department. "With the help of this information, local farmers can control the amount of irrigation water, for example, and it helps achieve the goals of energy saving, water conservation and emission reduction at the same time."

A local farmer surnamed Liao told China.org.cn about the improved drainage and water conservation since implementing the equipment.

"Compared to last year, the cost of twice irrigation has been saved. And the crops are growing well," said Liao. "In previous years, when I planted the rice all by myself, the field yield was 1,800 to 2,100 kilograms per acre, but this year, it is estimated to be more than 2,400 kilograms."

The demonstration site is part of a wider project promoting climate-smart water technologies for sustainable resources and rice production in the Lancang-Mekong Region, supported by the Lancang-Mekong Special Fund. 

The project, guided by Thailand's Office of the National Water Resources, is jointly coordinated with several institutes, including the Asia Center of Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI Asia Center) in Bangkok, the Environmental Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University, the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, the CRSRI, and the Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. It aims to enhance climate-smart technology innovation and promote sustainable regional rice production and water resource management.

Thanapon Piman, water cluster lead and SEI Asia Center senior research fellow, who leads the project, praised the demonstration for strengthening cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries on climate-smart farm technologies. He said it helps local communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and reduce the risks of floods and droughts.

"The technologies from China are good examples for Thailand to apply the technology in agricultural water resource management," Piman said. "This visit gives us more confidence and inspiration on how to help local communities cope with the impact of climate change."

The team also visited the Guangxi Irrigation Experimental Central Station, exploring experimental areas for water conservation, pollution prevention, and precision irrigation. Thai experts exchanged ideas on irrigation experiments with the station's technical staff.

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism is a multilateral framework established in 2016 for China and five Southeast Asian countries to collaborate on development and regional issues.

Chinese and Thai experts visit the Guangxi Irrigation Experimental Central Station in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]

Thai experts examine lysimeters at the Guangxi Irrigation Experimental Central Station in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]

Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute experts explain demonstration plot technology to Thai delegates in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]

A flow monitoring system, including a rectangular thin-walled weir and ultrasonic flowmeter, monitors irrigation and drainage water in a canal in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]

Chinese and Thai experts inspect a demonstration area with a local farmer in Guilin, Guangxi, Sept. 28, 2024. [Ren Bin/China.org.cn]