Situated in the ecological system of the Chee River, a tributary of the greater Mekhong River, the project location and target population have long benefited by its provision in terms of water and food. However some 40 years ago , the government policy and approach on agriculture sector emphasizing the mono-culture to boost the export figure have rendered the imbalance of the ecosystem. The approach has prompted deforestation for cultivated land and large-scale application of chemical fertilizer and pesticide adding upon the expense of farmers. Moreover, there has been an unfavourable practice in preparing the soil by burning fields during off-season just to get rid of (unwanted aggressive )vegetation which retains the moisture of the soil. Unavoidably, such an area is prone to the expansion of desertification which will eventually produce adverse affects to the ecosystem of the Mekhong River.

The Sustainable Agricultural Development For Self- Reliance Project is a grass root NGO working together with farmers and local government units in the project location and its vicinity for more than 10 years. The project has experiences in solving problems of rice farmers and in demonstrating new approaches for sustainable agriculture.

Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects):

1. To imbue community leaders with models of ecological sound , integrated models of
agricultural practices
2. To build capacity of members of the project emphasizing the participatory approach in
environmental development
3. To disseminate the experience and best practice to wider public

Activities to be carried out under project:

1.Orientation, seminar, training and study tour for key members of the project on the subject of environmentally-friendly agriculture and natural fertilizer production
2.Networking of best practices resulting from the project activities (at least 15 families)
3.Training volunteers for guarding against field burning
4.Establishing ?Rice-Field Environment Fund ?

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1.Members of rice farmers group from 9 villages
2.District and Tambol government units
3.Dhammada Forest Temple in Bualai District

Anticipated results of project:

1.The Rice-Field Environment Fund is established with Baht: 250,000: for 257 members in the first year.
2.There emerge at least 15 farmers in 9 villages who are good models for environmentally-
friendly agriculture which benefit the environment and livelihood as follows:
-200 trees/year/person emerge in the rice-field of the model farmers
-30 % reduction of chemical fertilizer/pesticide application, from the previous year
-Reduction of Baht:10,000: year in the expense for food
-Generation of income at least 12,000: / year in the first year
3. There emerges a volunteer group to guard against burning rice-field in 9 villages