I. On Januray 8 , 2006 , the NC paid a visit to the project and subsequently wrote up the report as follows:

The project location, Baan (village) Don Moon , was a cultivated land , mostly paddy, corn and longan. Cash crop like bean for quick money had become another attractive supplementary . The village was grid-connected. Husbandry was a second to crop plantation.

A pig farm with 550 hogs was visited. The farm supplied manure to biogas production process in the same premises. The produced biogas was supplied to run an internal combustion engine which in turn drove a water pump ,supplying water, by piping system , to irrigate longan fields of 12 project members surrounding the farm within 500 m. In fact, what the pump delivered to the field is not raw water but a mixture of water and dilute hog manure which was in abundant supply. The blend of the two was said and proven to be a very effective natural fertilizer for plants. Currently, there were additional request from other fields to be by this ? fertilizer through pipe? , because of convenience and cost effectiveness ? minimized cost of fertilizer transportation and labour. At a rough estimate the current amount of manure would be capable of supply biogas for cooking to 50 families , if situated within appropriate proximity.

At the time of the visit, the longan dryer using biogas was not installed yet. However, the project leaders exhibited increased capacity of renewable energy by initiating production of other kinds of biomass energy from agricultural waste and discussing the possibility of solar heat. The initiation was already put forward for consideration with seven other women?s group in the area .

Through participating and mentoring role of the Raksthai Foundation Lamphoon Office for about four years, target population exhibited increased capacity in term of both technicality and institution. Therefore, strong baseline looked apparent.

The participation and capacity of target population were witnessed to be fairly outstanding. With this initial success, it would be noteworthy to learn and record steps taken by the group in reaching out to and/or networking with other groups within and without the ecosystems.

RECORDS OF NON-GEF CONTRIBUTION

- Half - day of transportation from Rak thai Foundation and personnel = Baht: 2,500
- Two-day lodging & meals and pre-existing facility = Baht: 3,000


II. The project participated in the mid-course evaluation workshop of Thailand-Year-6 GEF/SGP , organized on 25-27 January 2006 . It was one of 27 projects sending project leaders or representatives to report to the workshop on progress of activities, immediate outputs/results that could be witnessed or observed, problems / issues and solution.

With only a few exception, majority of projects concisely reported progress and summarized immediate outputs and results. The report format included from power point to photos to dissemination materials, and to verbal presentation. There was one project bringing product of chemical-free vegetable for sale and show at the venue.

All presentations mentioned about problems and issues, with varying degree, but they had been corrected or rectified. Or at least, the project possessed idea or approach to do so. However, there were a few projects that presented problems and hot issues on environment soliciting further discussion and advice from participants.

On the final day, participants spent half-an-hour sharing idea on forging future networking of the year-6 projects and submitted approach for sustainability. Majority of participants agreed to be tied by natural network, without any regulation or commitment, but hearts and minds. There were two members pledging their times and skill to help others according to their availability.

As a reminder and incentives to ensure most effective implementation of remaining activities, the NC proposed the idea of strategic project where successful SGP projects could gather together so that community actions affecting global benefits would be clearer.

The workshop had seen substantial sharing of experience, especially on related issues of project activities. Somehow, it was felt that the remaining activities would be carried out to their completion. Another evidence, a natural network of environment was formed with a lot of participants winning one another hearts.

III. The progress report was received on 9 August 2006 , with following details:

Activities carried out :

1.Conducting study tours and experience-sharing with capable organizations and networks
2.Convening workshop among community members on GEF and Community Livelihood and renewable energy
3.Building biogas facilities of 100 cu,m. , a drying plot and one pump set driven by biogas in an internal combustion engine
4.Using the produced biogas for water pumping
5.Compiling knowledge and lessons learnt for further dissemination

Results and indicators:

1. Witnessed active participation and cooperation from various stakeholder, target communities
2.Increased capacity of group leaders through attention and interest to build biogas pits at household scale and through ability to retrain others
3.Increased capacity of community members in renewable energy (biogas) with three out of targeted 10 members completing their biogas pits.
4.Emergence of model cultivated area utilizing biogas in pumping water , its by-product for fertilizer
5. Twelve more community members participating in the project with total cultivated area of 13 ha

IV. The completion report was received on December 1, 2007 with following details:

Activities carried out :

1.Convening workshop among community members on GEF and Community Livelihood and renewable energy
2. Conducting eight study tours for learning and experience-sharing with capable organizations and networks at various levels
3.Building biogas facilities of 100 cu,m. (from 550 hogs) on the allotted area of 13 ha with related facilities such as drying lawn and a set of reciprocating water pump driven by the biogas
4. Building 10 smaller ( at household level) biogas facilities
6. Compiling knowledge and lessons learnt for further dissemination

Results:
1. Increased insight of major stakeholders , project committee and responsible government agencies ,witnessed through active participation and cooperation in formulating implementation plan and through ability to retrain other community members
2.Emergence of networks for renewable energy development and a demonstration plot for 12 farmers
3. Avoided use of diesel oil for water pumping by about 60 % ( eight litres / day before project against three litres / day to irrigate cultivated land of 24 ha)
4. Avoided use of canned gas by 70 % in participating household and nearly 100 % of fire-woods

Project communication: The project was visited by the following groups.
1. A group of 120 persons comprising students and company staff from Japan
2. Members of local administrative organization from Mae Jaem District, Chiangmai Province
3. Members of Lamphoon Provincial Administrative Organization
4. GEF SGP grantee (THA-04-06) from Chiangmai Province
5. Staff from Nakhornsawan Paper and Sugar Factory
6. A group from a Japanese NGO

Participatory Evaluation: Conducted monthly by combining with monthly village meeting
Participants: Project members, community leaders and relevant local government units in the area
Methods: Meetings to share and discuss efficiency of implementation including problems & issues and suggested solution

Impact: The results of activities had prompted interested of more than 50 non-project members who wanted to learn and use biogas. The project gave technical advice for free as a starter and was formulating proposals to be submitted to responsible agencies including Tambol Administrative Organization. One potential plan is 60 ? 40 investment where 60 would be from donors and 40 from requesting member. The 40 % will be kept as rotating fund.

Future Plan: Together with two other SGP projects (THA-04-01 and THA-04-03), the project played leading role in establishing the Local Care Network in Thung Hua Chang District perusing community development and environment conservation activities. Currently, two main activities launched were (1) Community Forest Management Fund and Sustainable Agriculture at tambol level and (2) Production of bio-fuel starting from planting Jetropha in the fields to processing them into usable fuel for farm machine.