COMPUTERIZED DATABASE FOR OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN THAILAND

Appropriate information is a pre-requisite for improving the managemen t of irrigation systems. An effort was made to establish the informati on system required in management of an irrigation unit at the tertiary level (Ban-Rom Water Users' Association, Thailand). A computerized da tabase was developed for use on a microcomputer using the combination of a commercial database management system and a linear programming op timizer. This information system was simple to operate through the use of menu-driven procedures. This database system can replace the previ ous manual system for data recording and retrieval of information rela ted to the management of agricultural organizations and related irriga tion aspects. The optimal solution for cropping pattern and water allo cation obtained from the system can be used as a guideline in pre-seas on planning for irrigation delivery and crop selection.