I. The project visited on August 6, 2005, with the following findings and observations:

The grantee?s office at Baan (village) Nongphian was visited. It is situated amid vast paddy
field of the Tha Cheen Basin. Discourse with project leaders gave a sense of existing technical
capacity of the group. The capacity was attributed to the cooperation and assistance from
Department of agriculture of the government.

The immediate output of project activities being witnessed was the organic compost facility.
The facility is used as training ground for project members on the production and application
of environmentally-friendly fertilizers and insect repellants. Project members distinctly
displayed their capacity on this technology. Besides, the visiting team was shown the
capacity on the application of Integrated Pest Management and the real result in the filed.

Despite the capacity, it was evident that the target area was situated amid the prevalent
chemical intensive paddy fields. In addition, the existing irrigation system supplying water
collectively resulted in uncontrollable pollutant flows from these surrounding fields into the
project areas, thus reducing the effect of project activities. Project members were well aware
of the battle ahead and positive about scaling up and outreach activities.

Members of the visiting team expressed their satisfaction with the findings and confirmed the
support of the strategic shift outlining more project in the central region where less than 10 %
of the 233 projects ,since its inception, were implemented.

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 11 April 2006 , with following deails:

Activities carried out :

1.Launching training and workshop on management and environmental know-how
2. Formulating sustainable rehabilitating plan and implementing in the fields
3. Allotting a 10- rai (1.6 ha) plot for demonstration of rehabilitation of paddy field
4. Demonstrating EM technology for cost-saving in paddy farming

Results:

1. The established project committee selected nine fields of project members to be demonstration sites, with total area of 200 rais ( 32 ha)
2. Emergence of a network of 24 non-project member farmers with 56 ha following the project practice.
3. Estimated reduction of production cost by Baht: 5,000- 10,000 per ha
4. Observable increased biodiversity in the fields
5. The standardized paddy species grown in the plots getting higher selling price per ha from Baht: 34,375 to 93,750
6. Total area free from field burning being estimated at 88 ha

Project Communication: The project launched communication to make project visible and acceptable to Bang Ngarm Tambol Administrative Organization and relevant government agencies after which the project got continuous support.

IV. The completion report was received on December 6, 2007 with following details:

Activities carried out :
1.Launching trainings and workshops on management and environmental know-how
2. Putting what is learnt into practice
3. Allotting plots of five acres for demonstration of rehabilitation of paddy field
4. Conducting training and study tours

Results :

1.Emergence of collective plan for six villages as a tambol development plan
2. Further support by the committee of Bang-ngarm Tambol Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre and the Sriprachan District Office of Agriculture
3. Observable increased biodiversity useful for agriculture
4. The yield of organic jasmine rice being 112 kg/ha ( or 700 kg/rai)
5. Avoidance of field burning for 560 ha, thus certain amount of CO2

Project communication: The project was visited by members of Learning Session of UNDP Thailand on
June 28, 2007
Participatory Evaluation: Conducted quarterly in a year
Participants: Group members
Methods: Resources persons sharing relevant knowledge and demonstrating approaches to group members

Impact: More farmers being added into membership of the group

Future Plan: 1. Reaching out to surrounding communities to cover at least three tambols
2. Establishing model farm producing toxic free food to ensure food security and
sustainable environment based on self- sufficiency theory