Risk Assessment of Drought on Mango Planting Areas Using Potential Surface Analysis Technique, Maepang Sub-district, Phrao District, Chiang Mai Province

 Mae Pang Sub-district, located in the Phrao District, serves as a crucial area for exporting mangoes from Chiang Mai. However, a significant portion of the cultivation sites is situated in upland areas and is reliant on rainfall only. Consequently, the quality of mango yield is compromised,particularly during periods of drought. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of drought in these mango cultivation areas by utilizing topographic and meteorological data.The primary objective was to provide information to support decision-making by mango farmers for an effective soil and water management,with the ultimate goal of mitigating the adverse effects of drought on mango production. Through the application of spatial potential analysis (Potential Surface Analysis: PSA), several factors were examined, including the volume of rainfall, soil texture, slope, stream and irrigation, and groundwater Accordingly, the area was divided into two types of geography: upland areas totaling 1,924 rai. It was found that there was a low risk in drought in the amount of 887 rai, representing 46.10 percent,followed by moderate drought risk in 799 rai, representing 41.52 percent, and a high risk of drought in the amount of 238 rai was 12.37 percent, respectively. For mango planting areas of foothill slope and lowland areas of 372 rai, 180 rai was classified as moderate drought risk area, 118 rai was considered low drought risk area, and 74 rai was classified as high drought risk area, representing 48.38, 31.72, and 19.89 percent of the mango planting area, respectively.