Environmental policy and administrative management

Situated as an integral part of the ecosystems of the Gulf of Thailand/ South China Sea, the project location is a lowland for paddy, rubber plantation and orchard totaling about 190 ha where chemicals has been heavily applied. The run-off of the chemicals into the Thale Noi and Songkhla Lagoon results in the extinction of about 20 water species. Adverse effect on human health was witnessed. The proposed activities by target communities to produce and apply organic farming, produce chemical-free feed, increase vegetation for carbon sink and apply renewable energy in daily life would contribute to the reversing the degradation of the international water and the adverse affect of climatic variation. Established in 1979, the group now has about 200 members with 6 sub-groups including women weavers group as network and participate in various development activities both at local and national level. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To manage the catchment area by integrated farming 2.To promote the production of organic farming and feed by using agricultural waste and manure 3.To use renewable energy to help stabilize the world climatic variance Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Planting trees for use in marginal paddy field, rubber plantation and integrated fields 2.Producing organic and bio-fertilizer to reduce the use of chemical ones 3.Blending feed from non-chemical, agricultural waste to substitute chemical based feed 4.Using solar heater for preserving seasonal agricultural product such as banana and chilli 5.Producing non-polished rice by manual mill Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.The target population is the primary beneficiary 2.Sustainable Agriculture Foundation of Thailand 3.Land Development Project of the Land Development Department supports soil erosion protection plantation. 4.Agriculture for the Environment of the Thai Traditional Medicine Association of Phatthalung Province provides technical support for chemical-free agriculture, plantation and public relation for the project through radio broadcasting. Anticipated results of project: 1.More trees at minimum basis in the following areas: 500 trees in paddy fields, 3,000 in rubber plantation and 10,000 in integrated farming areas. 2.Annual production of organic/bio-fertilizer by ,at least, 5 tons 3.Annual production of chemical-free feed by , at least, 5 tons 4.Annual production of processed food by solar energy, at least, 5 tons 5.At least 500 individuals visit the site for sharing/learning

Thailand