Climate-Smart Implementation Promoting climate-smart water technologies and innovations for sustainable water resources and rice production under climate change in the Lancang-Mekong Region

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) conducted a training workshop from April 26th to 28th, 2024, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, to implement laser-controlled land leveling in two pilot districts: Phimai and Sung Noen. This precision agriculture technology uses a laser transmitter and receiver to create a flat or uniformly inclined field surface, which optimizes irrigation, reduces water runoff, and improves crop germination. While the technology enhances water efficiency and crop yields, the report notes that high initial equipment costs and the need for technical expertise may limit adoption for smaller farms without subsidies.

• Laser-controlled land leveling is used to optimize irrigation and agricultural efficiency by creating a flat or uniformly inclined surface, which leads to more efficient water usage, uniform crop germination, and reduced soil erosion.
• The implementation of the technology in Nakhon Ratchasima involved two pilot sites with different water access levels to assess effectiveness: Sung Noen District, which has irrigation, and Phimai District, which relies entirely on precipitation.
• Significant barriers to the adoption of laser-controlled land leveling include the substantial initial investment required for equipment and the necessity for specific technical expertise to operate the machinery.

APA

Prasad, S. (2024). Climate-Smart Implementation Promoting climate-smart water technologies and innovations for sustainable water resources and rice production under climate change in the Lancang-Mekong Region. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/climate-smart-laser-land-levelling-april-2024-final-version.pdf

Chicago

Prasad, Satish. Climate-Smart Implementation Promoting climate-smart water technologies and innovations for sustainable water resources and rice production under climate change in the Lancang-Mekong Region. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2024. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/climate-smart-laser-land-levelling-april-2024-final-version.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Prasad |first1=Satish |title=Climate-Smart Implementation Promoting climate-smart water technologies and innovations for sustainable water resources and rice production under climate change in the Lancang-Mekong Region |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=April 2024 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/climate-smart-laser-land-levelling-april-2024-final-version.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{prasad2024climatesmart, author = {Prasad, Satish}, title = {{Climate-Smart Implementation Promoting climate-smart water technologies and innovations for sustainable water resources and rice production under climate change in the Lancang-Mekong Region}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/climate-smart-laser-land-levelling-april-2024-final-version.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }