1.The progress report was received on February 25 ,2005 , with following immediate results:

- Evinced increased capacity of project members on the result of chemical fertilizer and organic one
- Reduction in yield from 800 kg to 300 kg/rai ( due only to water shortage and poor irrigation )
- Decision to keep on trying for better result by dual use of chemical and organic fertilizer
- Since there has been no precedence, modality in keeping record or comparision was under perusal


2.On October 23-24 , 2005, the NC and two members of NSC paid a visit to the project afterwhich the findings and observation came out as follows:

About 10 project members met with the visiting team at the Centre for Demonstration of Unpolished Rice Production which is the office of the grantee. It was found that the wind blade set, drying scroll, bucket conveyors, wind tower and foundation were virtually completed and ready to be assembled. The only remaining part was the fabrication of green house for drying. The visiting team was briefed about how the entire system would make use of wind and solar energy for drying paddy then share experience and its expertise with the project.

Regarding activities on conservation farming, the organic fertilizer had been produced and tried on about two acres of paddy field about three months back the immediate result was found to be fairly satisfactory. The grantee related that the manufacturing process of organic fertilizer was adopted from that of a year-4 project , THA-02-13 / Organic Fertilizer and Substance for Environment Conservation.

Sharing experience and lessons learnt with project members, the visiting team sensed increased capacity and concerns on threatening environment issue, especially from recent public promotion of palm oil plantation. The promotion was a direct result of oil price increase and subsequent need to find alternative fuels. Palm oil trees , an alien species requiring more water, were seen here and there in the project area replacing paddy. Since conflict of water use was already looming , the promotion ought to be well planned.

An unfortunate accident which has legal implication happened to one project leader thus slowed down project activities, especially on installation of wind and solar systems. However, the visiting team was assured that it would be ready with in a month after which there would be the participatory evaluation upon completion of the project.

As the grantee is a CBO in the project area, cooperation and participation of community members was witnessed to be adequate. Networking with other communities outside project location was also initiated. Learning from a dissemination material of GEF/SGP on biogas, one such group was keen to apply the technology for their daily life.

3. On July 1, 2006, the completion report was received, with following details:

Activities to be carried out under project:

1.Conducting study tour and putting into practice the conservation farming-minimum tilling, organic fertilizer application, and harvesting by man
2. Installing one solar dryer and wind-driven conveyor for paddy drying process
3. Organizing exhibition and dissemination materials

Results of Projects

1. 20 project members practicing conservation farming , ceasing the application of weed killer in the
fields
2. Reduction of first paddy moisture to 14% against the required 12% -depending upon sunlight
intensity
3. Avoided conventional energy consumption being recorded and compiled
4. Emergence of plans for application of renewable energy at community scale
5. One group of network showing keen interest in applying renewable energy in drug processing

Participatory Evaluation: Conducted periodically but the final on 10 May 2006
Participants: 30 persons comprising project members, teachers, representatives from
TAO and concerned local government agencies
Methods: Individual interview and discussion as well as open forum
Impact: 1. Community awareness in the potential of wind and sunlight was sensed
among several members of the project
2. Successful advocacy at community scales was rather difficult, due
mainly institutional problems
Future Plan: The centre planned to establish itself as a centre for learning Sufficient
Economy ,through the renovation of the premises,
improvement of food processing system and natural farming.