Wacharapol Khawkhum, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and his team visited Sakon Nakhon province to monitor the water situation and management in the area, as well as meet with farmers and residents to listen to their problems and suggestions.
Deputy Minister Wacharapol Khawkhum and his team went to Sakon Nakhon province to track the water situation and management locally. They also met with farmers and residents to gather feedback and suggestions. The visit included Yongyos Niamsub, an expert in civil engineering (planning and projects), Deputy Director Singha Phajongkitchan of the Royal Irrigation Department's Office 5, Director Jannarong Thongyu of the Sakon Nakhon Irrigation Project, and other relevant officials who joined the field visit and presented a briefing on the water situation.
During this visit, the team reviewed progress on developing water sources in key river basins of Sakon Nakhon province. Ongoing projects focused on water sources and delivery systems aim to increase water storage capacity, distribute water to agricultural areas, and prepare for possible future floods and droughts.
According to data on water source development in Akat Amnuai district, several water projects have been implemented, increasing water storage capacity by more than 4.037 million cubic meters and expanding agricultural benefit areas by over 13,200 rai. In Kam Ta Kla district, water storage capacity totals 12.431 million cubic meters, benefiting 11,020 rai of farmland.
Residents and farmers who attended the meetings shared suggestions regarding water management and additional water source development. Relevant agencies will consider these inputs to enhance quality of life and sustainably strengthen water security for the people of Sakon Nakhon province.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives instructed the Royal Irrigation Department and related agencies to urgently study the feasibility of developing additional retention ponds ('monkeys' cheeks') in Akat Amnuai district, Sakon Nakhon province, to increase surface water storage capacity, improve water security, and alleviate shortages of water for consumption and use among local residents effectively and equitably.