Environmental research

The target area is a para-rubber plantation of about 1,212 rais ( 193 ha ) situated in Southern Thailand. Possessing half of this plantation area, the 76 members earn their living by producing then selling raw rubber sheet to middlemen who later transfer the sheet to drying or smoking plants. The drying and smoking process require a huge quantity of fire-woods emitting atmospheric pollution, both in the locality and subsequently the globe. Being unable to control the quality and selling price of the rubber, these para-rubber farmers are of rather poor earning, with per capita income of Baht: 13,000 a year. To initiate the respective solution, the group met and discuss how to upgrade the quality of the product. With more efficient drying / heating facility using combined renewable energy of solar and biomass, the farmer would be able to control and guarantee the quality and selling price of the rubber product. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To make an efficient use of energy and reduce the rate of greenhouse gas emission from burning fire-woods 2.To promote occupation on production of rubber sheet and encourage participatory working approach Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Upgrading solar dryer and building as a supplementary unit a biomass burning stove for drying rubber sheet 2.Putting in to use the combined unit of solar-biomass facility 3.Building capacity of target group through training , study tours and people forum on the aspects of energy and management Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Target group of 76 members are primary beneficiaries while its neighbouring population is secondary 2.Community Fund of the government Saving Bank providing preexisting facility 3.Regional Centre for Energy Development and Promotion of Nakhornsithamarat Province providing technical support on energy/renewable energy. Anticipated results of project: 1.Upgraded quality of dried rubber sheet from class 3 to class 1 2.Reduced amount of fire-wood by 50 % per year ( 19.2 tons) 3.Direct transaction between farmers and factory , without having to go through middlemen ensuring better benefit of the members 4.Increased income of members

Thailand