I. 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.

II. The progress report was received on February 7, 2006 , with details as follows:

Activities carried out :

1.Organizing seminars, workshops, training and study tours for 90 network members and youth groups on concept of integrated farming , community food security, native species propagation and reduction of land erosion
2. Putting into practices what are learnt in 1 @ half-an-acre per family
3. Organizing workshop on organic compost production and high-efficiency charcoal producing kiln for 90 network members

Immediate Outputs/Results :

1. Evinced increased capacity of 90 members through putting what being learnt into practice and through regular monthly meeting of coordinators from each participating village
2. Emergence of a ? Dream Garden? of half-and-acre for each youth.
3. Established high-efficiency charcoal-producing kiln in each eight participating villages

III. The project was visited on June 15, 2006. The findings and observation are as follows:

The project location is adjacent to the Phu Phan National Park, the target population is a mixed of local villagers and migrants from other provinces of the northeastern region. The park is a watershed of has been supplying water to Phung River, then a wetland of international importance called Nongharn Sakonnakhorn, and finally to the Mekhong River. Since it is comparatively mountainous, cultivated area per family is rather limited ? one or so ha per paddy-farming family and less for ones who are practicing gardening or agro forestry. Nearly all target population were relocated by the national forest and national park scheme about 30 years ago. Cash crop such as para-rubber , tapioca and eucalyptus are seen in existence and likely to expand.

One target group in Baan (village) Yarng Loan was visited. Production of organic fertilizer was witnessed. The main occupation of the group is paddy farming. The fertilizer would be used mainly in their paddy fields.

The second village visited is Baan Suan Sawan. Since the land is not appropriate for paddy farming, community members earn their living through gardening. They would sell their products for paddy and other things of necessity. Apart from witnessing organic compost production and its effect of application, an efficient charcoal-burning using the 200-litre drum was in operation.

The brief visit and interaction with these groups sensed some degree of their satisfaction with the project. As the first batch of produced organic fertilizer had been applied for nearly one growing season, some promising result was starting to reveal. However, the northeastern region, including this area, is currently having a rainfall pause for about a fortnight, dried up cultivated lands were evident and negative impacts expected.

The grantee is an affiliation of the nationally famous and tighter In Paeng Network in the province, project members showed their capacity and seemed fairly articulating about what they were doing. Visiting and interacting with about five out of 90 targeted families gave a sense of met expectation of community members.

Back in the year 1998, the In Paeng Network received funding to implement a climate change project (THA-98-G18) to promote the use of solar energy in traditional food & drug processing and the sustainable use of fire-woods. The visit had also witness this back project and its sustainability.

IV. The completion report was received August 7, 2007 a bound book of about 25 sheets of paper outlining activities & results as well as photos.



Activities carried out:
1.Organizing eight training courses for 90 network members and 80 youth members on concept of integrated farming , community food security, native species propagation ,reduction of land erosion and high-efficiency charcoal burning kiln utilization
2. Putting into practices what are learnt in 1 @ half-an-acre per family
3. Establishing native species fund for participating members
2. Establishing fund for organic compost and high-efficiency stove
3. providing equipment for making compost pellets

Results :
1. An estimated 90 % of members gaining insight on the essence of the subjects of training and the total cultivated area of 35 acres being tried with toxic-free agriculture ? total avoidance of 22.5 tons of chemical fertilizer , equivalent to a saving of Baht: 225,000
2. Total produced 90-ton compost and 2,700-litre organic solution ? exceeding anticipated amount
3. Additional produced compost at village level of 31.5 tons
4. Emergence of a Compost Pelletizing Group with committee to manage the transaction
5. Produced 19 kilns being put to use- sustainable use of fire-woods


Project communication:

There are two levels of communication. At community level, there was a experience-sharing event with the In-Paeng Network . Pamphlets were produced and posted at Centre for Community Forestry 9 , Phu Phan District, Sakonnakhorn Province. At wider level, the events occurred with other entities such as Community Organization Development Institute, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, District Office of Agriculture , Land Reform Office.

Problems and issues:

Problems of thinking or value: most members are still being pulled in two directions ,i.e. sustainable philosophy and mono-quick cash crop for (more ) money.

Participatory evaluation:

Monthly meeting was organized among network members where experience ?sharing and participatory evaluation were also conducted. The evaluation upon completion was conducted on July 10, 2007.

All network members participated in the process including representatives from a CBO active in the locality, Tambol Administrative Organization and staff members from Centre for Community Forestry 9.

Some evinced impact:

Before and after implementation of the project, a change in agricultural practice has been witnessed- reduced use of chemical fertilizers. Target population had demonstrated increased technical and institutional capacity . Communities in the vicinity of the project were affected by the idea and practice of organic compost and some were seen putting into practice. Government units in the location had also provided supports to some of these communities.