Evaluation of the Water Footprint of Sugarcane in Eastern Thailand

Abstract

This paper aims to present the three kinds of water footprint of sugarcane in eastern Thailand. The water footprints of sugarcane were assessed as the volume of yield in water per product unit (m³/ton). Because of, sugarcane is an important crop in Thailand. The residue left from sugarcane can develop into useful products include fuel to produce electricity, organic fertilizers, pulp and scientific material. In present, area for sugarcane is likely to add more acreage. The cultivated area would affect the use of water resources. Therefore, the study the water footprint of sugarcane is an important crop. The result water footprint of sugarcane from the period 2013 - 2014 is 178.32 m³/ton (129.60 m³/ton of green water footprint, 17.61 m³/ton of blue water footprint and 31.11 m³/ton of grey water footprint). The highest and lowest water footprints are Prachinburi and Chonburi respectively. The water footprint in the eastern Thailand for sugarcane is lower than the global average. Excepting, the grey water footprint is about 3 times higher than that. This is mainly because of high fertilizers application rate for sugarcane are 125 - 156.25 kg/ha. Another one, the water footprint can be using prediction implement of yield of sugarcane.