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 in April 2024 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, to introduce laser-controlled land leveling to rice farmers. This precision agriculture technology aims to mitigate drought vulnerability by optimizing water distribution, reducing runoff, and improving crop yields. The project tested the technology in both rain-fed (Phimai District) and irrigated (Sung Noen District) environments, while noting that high initial costs and technical requirements may hinder adoption for small-scale farmers without financial support.

• Laser-controlled land leveling is a precision agriculture technique that uses a laser transmitter and receiver to create a flat or uniformly inclined field surface. This process optimizes irrigation by promoting "uniform water spread and minimizing water runoff," which leads to better crop germination, growth, and overall production. Additionally, the technology reduces soil erosion, saves fuel and time by decreasing water pumping needs, and increases the efficiency of pesticide and fertilizer application.
• The implementation of laser-controlled land leveling faces barriers related to cost and technical skill. The report notes that the "initial investment in equipment can be substantial" and that operating the technology requires "specific technical expertise." Consequently, the technology may not be cost-effective for smaller farms unless they receive subsidies or financial aid.
• To evaluate the technology under different water conditions, two pilot sites were selected in Nakhon Ratchasima province: Phimai District, which is entirely dependent on precipitation, and Sung Noen District, which has access to irrigation.

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} }