Environmental research

Target Population/Location of project: 368 families (1,586 people) living and farming in the valley next to the Phu Phan National Park. Much of the project area is included in the land reform scheme; one portion is irrigated by the Nam Oun Initiative. Canned gas, charcoal, fossil fuels and grid electricity provide energy to the project members. Major stakeholders include: The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Sakonnakhorn Province Sakonnakhorn Provincial Office of Land Reform Research and Development Institute, Khon Kaen University Phannanikhom District Office of Agriculture Phu Phan Agro-forestry Network (THA-04-26) Rajamakhala Technology University, Sakonnakhorn Province Planned activities: 1. Build project members capacity re: alternative energy, and organic compost production 2. Demonstrate renewable energy applications, and organic compost production 3. Reforest marginal lands 4. Conduct participatory evaluation of project, and disseminate results Anticipated outputs: 1. Household-scale alternative energy management system is developed 2. Energy usage from traditional fuel sources is reduced, esp. for food processing; household expenses decrease accordingly 3. Farmers apply fewer chemical substances, resulting in cleaner, healthier agricultural products Note: Baseline annual energy and fertilizer expenditure Canned gas = THB 3,360/family Charcoal = THB 2,328/family Fuel for agriculture = THB 4,290/family Chemical fertilizer = THB 8,775/family

Thailand