I. Progress report (July 6, 2013):
Activities undertaken:
Launching capacity building through resources inventories, training and meeting

Results of activities:
1.Increased capacity and awareness of target population ( 75 %) witnessed by ability to participate in project activities and compilation of local resources and practices
2. Availability of more precise data & information on targeted location and livelihood activities

Project Visibility and Communication by other organizations/individuals:
None during the period.

Emerging problems and issues:
1. Participatory process was not fully attained , due to burdens of community livelihood. This was addressed by launching activities on a big holy day ( 2 days in a month).
2. Data & information compiled during the period might require correction /upgrade, due to limited technical capacity of project leaders/targeted communities and sometime language used.

Project experience and lessons learnt :
Nothing in special.

Project expense:
The project reported the expense of THB: 196,800 out of the first disbursement of THB:262,236.42.
II. Project Site Visit (September 27, 2013):
Findings and Observation:
At a premises of one project member in Chiangkharn District?s Baan(village) Phu Honge, one of the six participating villages situated only a few hundred meters from Mekong River, the visiting team interacted with 13 project members who displayed some increased capacity by relating the course of project activities, both already undertaken and planned. One main activity undertaken was a capacity building on production of environmentally-friendly stuff to replace/reduce chemical ones.

To witness how project members put what were learnt during capacity-building activities into practice, the visiting team was led to witness a facility to produce organic fertilizer, situated in the same premises. Project members explained step-by-step the production process. The facility also served as a learning place where project members would join hands to make the organic fertilizer and other environmentally-friendly stuff for agricultural practices. It was also related that this facility was only a small one. The bigger facility could be found in another village, which the team was not able to visit, due to time constraint.

To convince the team of the effects of the organic fertilizer and agro-forestry, a garden of one project member in Baan Phu Honge was visited.The garden was grown with native fruit trees, many of them landraces. Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides since two years back, the member had been replacing them with organic ones, made by a similar process. The result was said to be very satisfactory-the yield was sufficient and safe for consumption, and the expense reduced.

During this visit, the project had not started any proposed agricultural activities on the bank of Mekong River yet. Project members stipulated that the water level was too high to launch such activities. According to community practices, river-bank agriculture began when water level was low enough. The normal period would be from late October to March. However by sailing along the river, the team was able to witness the proposed area for such activity, about 5-km along the river, from the 100-year Chiangkharn Public Garden to the point that Loei River meets Mekong River.

The visiting team agreed that community capacity and participation in the project was quite notable. Several members the team interacted with appeared to be able to discuss and share experience and thoughts engagingly. Of special interest was the results of proposed organic farming along the river bank, where area about 6.5 -acre was targeted.

III. Completion report ( December 1, 2014):
Date of Participatory Evaluation( November 9, 2014 ):

Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel:
Women:15
Men: 9
Children: 48

Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours:
Women: 19
Men: 12
Children: 14

Expense:
Amount received from SGP (2 disbursements): THB: 476,339.30
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 529,950
Balance: THB: (-53,610.70 )
Amount authorized for the final payment: US$: 1,711.73
Amount Received from others: THB: 0 (in cash)
THB: 380,000 (in kind)
Activities undertaken:
1.Launching capacity building through resources inventories, training and meeting
2. Launching demonstration of activities: chemical reduction and up-scaling
3. Launching dissemination of project results
4. Launching participatory evaluation

Results and indicators:
1.Increased capacity and awareness of target population witnessed by ability to participate in project activities and compilation of local resources and practices
2. A cultivated area of about 15 ha along Mekong River bank and in the vicinity being witnessed as chemical reduction zone ( by 80 % of current amount of application)
3. About 2,000 litres of ionic plasma and 30 tons of organic fertilizer being produce and applied in the cultivated area
4. Estimated reduction of expense on chemical by over 80 % of the current figures
5. Emergence of the followings:
- a unique model of agriculture along Mekong River bank
- one working group/committee to manage natural resources and environment in project location

Project Communication:
The project was made more visible and understood through 2 visits from mass media and one visit of a CSO.

Problems and Issues:
1. Daily burdens on livelihood of group members limited full participation, especially during planting and harvesting months.This was addressed by making an appointment for project activities on the holy days of each month, and visiting individual members as time allowed.
2. There was indifferent group in project location who did not show any keen interest in project. The project was patient and continued awareness raising by demonstrating results in the fields.
3. Collected and compiled data& information required more time for project leaders to analyze and systematize. Project leaders had to seek additional figures and information to complete the report as much as possible.

Experience , Lessons Learnt :
The project had learnt that community awareness had been increased which would result in positive changes in the future.

Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
The project planned to continue the production of organic fertilizer and sharing amongst group members. Marketing of organic products was also under a short-term planning.