By AIT Public Affairs
23 July 2025 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted the final workshop of the project “From Drought Impacts to Water Adaptations in the Upper Mun River Basin (DIWAM)” on 22 July 2025. The workshop showcased the key outcomes of the project and explored strategies for drought adaptation in Northeast Thailand, a region highly vulnerable to drought.
Funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs through the “Fonds Equipe France” program, the DIWAM project is a collaborative effort between Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), with support from local and national government agencies.
The event brought together key stakeholders to exchange knowledge and craft practical solutions to mitigate the rising economic and social impacts of severe droughts. Through DIWAM, the partners aim to deliver tangible results, strengthening the resilience of farmers, local communities, and ecosystems, paving the way for a sustainable and secure future for Thailand’s agriculture.
Prof. Mukand Babel, Distinguished Professor in the Water Engineering and Management (WEM) Program at AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology (SET), welcomed on behalf of the partners, participants, and colleagues from the Embassy of France, acknowledging their vital role in tackling drought challenges in Thailand’s agricultural sector.
“Lasting solutions require strong collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to build the adaptive capacity of our agricultural systems,” he said, drawing on his more than two decades of experience in drought management.
Prof. Babel added, “We must also continue developing innovative solutions that help vulnerable areas better cope with recurring droughts. I hope this workshop marks the beginning of even stronger collaboration among our partners and stakeholders.”
Dr. Guillaume Lacombe, Senior Researcher in Hydrology and Water at CIRAD, emphasized the importance of strong and committed leadership as a key ingredient in making adaptation projects successful on the ground: “It’s a privilege to host this workshop, which serves as a vital platform for sharing insights, identifying key benefits, challenges and success factors of drought adaptation projects, and bridging scientific research with real-world practices. I hope this dialogue leads to actionable strategies that strengthen drought resilience and deliver lasting benefits to vulnerable communities and ecosystems.”
Echoing the importance of integrated planning, Dr. Thanapon Piman, Water Cluster Lead at SEI, noted, “DIWAM aims to strengthen the agricultural sector’s ability to cope with increasingly frequent and severe droughts. Effective solutions require integrated planning across engineering, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Targeted adaptation relies on accurate geographic and spatial data to understand the unique characteristics of each area, since no single approach can address droughts or other natural disasters across all regions. This project, therefore, supports the agricultural sector in building resilience, maintaining long-term preparedness, and enhancing sustainable resource management across all dimensions.”
The event served as a collaborative platform for stakeholders to share experiences, review current initiatives, and propose innovative strategies to address the region’s ongoing drought challenges. Discussions also laid the foundation for the project’s second phase, reflecting a shared vision to advance drought resilience and ensure the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s agricultural sector.
