I I - part - usaid

- 15 ­
b. Utilization of landform characteristics to
guide the research, development, and extension of suitable
igricultural technology. The ecological microvariability
exhibited within the various subregional zones and administrative
areas of the Northeast Region, including Project
tambons, correlates most closely with geomorphological landforms.
These landforms may be classified into flood plains,
low terraces, middle terraces, and upper terraces, according
to how they are situated in the unduldting to rolling topography
of the Region, as depicted in the following diagram
(Fig 11-3):
MIDDIL E
II
2
!':'iV1',
, , n il I, : ',
UPPER MIDDLEL . LO W
iTERRACE g TERRACE TERRACE FLELI ';1.
FIGUREII..3 Relative tocatia of. Majr Lfrits of Northcaet Thailad"j
Each of these landforms has its own set of soil and water
regime characteristics, including water holding capacity,
drainage, fertility, erodability, etc. Under rainfed conditions
these characteristics will determine such variables
as general cropping patterns, optimal planting dates and
r-r,, ,]rc;tior., ard '.±'/rintlialy7 crop production.
The agronomic suitability of a particular agricultural
practice can thus best be predicted by classifying
the local area where it was developed and the area where it
may be potentially applicable according to the general
climatic characteristics and the specific landform on which
the site is located (see Annex V). Therefore, the NERAD
Project will use climatic and landform characteristics as
the basis for systematizing project activities and categorizing
potential sites for activity replication. Project
planning has thus far made a general w:ussjUnII
.. Of the mix
of landforms pr