I. First progress report (April 16, 2007):
Activities undertaken:
1. Capacity-building carried out re: solar energy, and compost production
2. Trainings held on propagation of wild species ?Ma Dua?

Results of activities:
1. Project members show knowledge of solar energy, and plan to use it to satisfy local needs
2. 1,152 seedlings of ?Ma Dua? propagated, and ready for planting

Experiences and lessons learned:
The project experienced a setback when extensive forest clearing (for land cultivation) destroyed some of the native tree species project members had planted. Re-planting activities were scheduled for April 21-22nd.

II. Second progress report (March 21,2008):
Activities undertaken:
1. Propagating Ma Dua , Ma Nod and other tree species then planting in village marginal land
2. Building hybrid solar-biomass heater

Results of activities:
1. Approximately 1,000 seedling being planted
2. One more women group of 12 members being received into the membership
3. All materials and labour being ready to proceed with the building , expecting to be completed within April 2008

Project Communication:
On April 28, 2007,there were many government units and local administration units in Tambol Dongphaya participating in plantation of native species. TV channel 5 recorded the event for dissemination. Other guests of honour included an ex-governor of Nan Province and Deputy Director of the Crown Princess Project

III.Mid-course Evaluation Workshop):
Together with 11 other projects of the same class, the project attended midcourse evaluation on March 19-21, 2008.

IV.Monitoring visit from NC (September 29, 2008):
On September 29, 2008, the National Coordinator visited the project to assess the project during the final quarter of its two-year duration. Findings and observations are as follows:

Baan (village) Napu of 30 families in Tambol Dongphaya of Bor Klua District, the target location, is situated in a valley of steep mountainous area in Nan Province. It is ecologically connected to Lao People Democratic Republic. The district is known as one of the remotest area in the province with special weather condition. In this valley, majority of inhabitants are a cultural, indigenous group ?Lua? , who is known as an environmentally-friendly people. Depending upon agricultural practice and provisions of the ecosystems for livelihoods, paddy growing is the only major activity with just ?enough yield? for consumption. Therefore, community was inspired to make supplementary income through planning sustainable use of and adding
value to some native plant species in the ecosystems. Reproduction of two native plant species and processing of their fruit into edible, saleable stuff by solar and biogas energy are two main proposed
activities.

Two nurseries of two native plant species , Madua ( Ficus heleropleura or Fig tree) and Manot (Ficus ribes reinw.ex Bl) were witnessed operational. Project leaders demonstrated capacity on nursery activities relating that over 2,000 seedlings had been grown and thriving during the past 20-month of project implementation. Using solar energy and canned gas, the fruits from the trees had been processed into
saleable candies, yam and dried products.

A community plot of about 1,000 sq.m. was visited. The plot was allocated to be the construction site for the processing facilities and new office of the group (currently, a house of one member is the office). It was reported that the Nan Provincial Administrative Organization had approved Baht: 440,000 for construction
of the facility and office, and the Dongphaya Tambol Administrative Organization Baht: 10,000 to support activities of the group.

Visiting the premises of the Nan Provincial Occupation College in adjacent Pua District, a new set of solar dryer was seen completed. The college has been providing technical support on fabrication of the set. The
set is to replace the own solar set which was rated as less capacity. The set would be transported to Baan Napu in the following week.

As a development synergy, Baan Napu is a target location under a development scheme of Phu Fah Phatthana (or Phu Fah Development) Centre supported by the Crown Princess. The centre has been promoting poverty reduction scheme in Bor Klua and Chalermphrakiat District of Nan Province. Products from Baan Napu had found their regular markets through the scheme. Making project more visible, on August 4, 2008, the grantee and two others of the same grant cycle were invited by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment?s Department of National Parks and Wildlife to share experience with academics and other community groups on the topic ? Community Participation to reduce Global Warming through Promotion of Renewable Energy.

Apparently, the project had been in progress satisfactorily, except for some delay in fabrication of the solar dryer. The delay was attributed to the complication of the original design thus required modification.

Within a few remaining months of the project and beyond, it is interesting to see how much canned gas and grid electricity rate of consumption would be avoided in this project.

V. Completion report (January 17,2009):
Date of Participatory Evaluation(January 15-17 2009):
Activities carried out:
1. Launching capacity building for project members on renewable energy / energy conservation
2. Conducting nursery activities for reforestation of watershed area
3. Building solar heater and biogas for processing of native fruits
Results of activities:
1. Over 1,000 trees of ?Ma Due and Ma Not? being thriving and maintained successfully ? probably the first plot in the world ? and being to be reproducing for neighboring communities
2. The solar heater being able to increase heated product from 10 to 50 kg, and reducing time from three to one and a half day
3. Emergence of a housewife group in Baan (village) Sawa Nua of 11 members to process Madua into fruit product
4. Staff of Sawa School using Madua Product as a framework for academic promotion
5. The project prompting financial supports from Nan Provincial Administrative Organization and Dongphaya Tambol Administrative Organization
6. The project had resulted in increased capacity and supplementary income of target group, where before there had been no such activities after planting and harvesting season.
Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel(Women: 296 ,Men:74, Children:32):
Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours(Women: 148 ,Men:39, Children:275):
Project Communication:
By joining with other groups in the locality , a community enterprise was established. In one exhibition, the group won the second prize in Bor Klua District.
Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
The project will
1. promote reproduction/regeneration of the two native species , ?Ma Due and Ma Not? in the neighbourhood and along the banks of Wa River.
2. encourage target groups to submit plan for reproduction and plantation to Tambol Dongphaya for additional financial support
3. apply to Food and Drug Administration for license to produce
Project expense:
Amount received from SGP (3 disbursements): THB: 312,626.11
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 312,626
Amount of co-financing:
From Nan Provincial Administrative Organization: THB: 360,000 in cash
From Dongphaya Tambol Administrative Organization: THB: 10,000 in cash
From Communities: THB: 640,800 in kind