Environmental research

Ban (village) Fang Khlong is a vast area for mono-crop plantation. Encroachment of natural forest to acquire more area has been a major problem. In order to maximize the yield,small tractors ,other types of machinery and appliances have been introduced into the community, replacing the traditional animal and manual labour. In order to make these sets of equipment work, various kinds of fossil fuel have to be burnt thus producing more green house gas into the atmosphere. The centre whose majority of members are local people with eagerness to better the community life has realizes the problem and its consequence has initiated the Ways of Life and Renewable Energy as a pilot project for the community so that renewable energy would become a sensible and good option for community livelihood. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To reduce the consumption of energy which causes the emission of greenhouse gas 2.To add value to the existing production from community through food processing Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Launching study tours to organizations/ agencies that are good models for renewable energy application 2.Launching seminars on manual rice mill, rice-husk stove and solar oven 3.Fabricating and building manual rice mills, rice-husk stoves and solar ovens 4.Establishing Water Buffalo Fund Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Teachers For Communities around Eastern Forest Group 2.Huay Hin Agro-forestry Centre at Chachoengsao 3.Ban Tha Kloi School 4.Eastern Region Progressive Farmers Anticipated results of project: 1.Participating members possess capacity as local trainers and are able to maintain the renewable energy equipment that were built and used in the communities. 2.Six water buffaloes give out 30 kg. of manure for fertilizer and save the diesel fuel at 9 litres/working days. 3.Manual rice mill, rice-husk stove and solar oven save the electricity bill at Baht:800/month. 4.Participating members earn an additional 1Baht:1,000:/ family averagely.

Thailand