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Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development

Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development. Mekong Institute Khon Kaen, Thailand 17 June 2009 Anthony M. Zola Chief Technical Officer Doi Tung Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Mae Fah Luang Foundation www.maefahluang.org.

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Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development

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  1. Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development Mekong Institute Khon Kaen, Thailand 17 June 2009 Anthony M. Zola Chief Technical Officer Doi Tung Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Mae Fah Luang Foundation www.maefahluang.org

  2. Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development Models for Consideration: • Lam Nam Oon Irrigation Project, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand • Community Based Rural Development Project for Conservation of the Nam Beng / Nam Mau, and Nam Phak Watersheds Project, Oudomxay, Lao PDR • Doi Tung Development Project, Chiangrai, Thailand

  3. Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development Lam Nam Oon Irrigation Project, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand • Intervention in response to a security threat & environmental impacts late 1970s-early 1980s • Data: • 32,000 ha; prone to flooding • 139,000 population (2003) • Producing 1 crop of rice per year • Ethnic minority groups; security issues

  4. Lam Nam Oon Irrigation ProjectSakon Nakhon, Thailand Began by using a market-oriented community development approach: • Water for irrigation of rice & cash crops • Land consolidation • Agricultural extension • Market development • Absorbing market risk

  5. Lam Nam Oon Irrigation ProjectSakon Nakhon, Thailand Results: • By early 1990s, more than 10 domestic and transnational companies operating contract farming programs at LNO; 6,000 ha of dry season cropping; 7,400 households / some 30,000 people • High value crops: seed crops (tomatoes, cantaloupe, seedless watermelons, cucumbers, flowers) • Food processing crops: tomatoes, young ear corn, sweet corn • Economic and social stability • Environmental impacts have not been evaluated

  6. Community Based Rural Development Project for Conservation of the Nam Beng / Nam Mau, and Nam Phak Watersheds Project, Oudomxay, Lao PDR • German Agro Action (GAA), working in 19 villages in Oudomxay Province, northern Lao PDR; upland area agricultural development • Village-based participatory planning and agricultural re-orientation / diversification • Change cropping patterns: from upland rice to non-timber forest products (NTFPs) with known local markets

  7. Community Based Rural Development Project for Conservation of the Nam Beng / Nam Mau, and Nam Phak Watersheds Project, Oudomxay, Lao PDR Results: • reduced vulnerability through the introduction of a diversified cropping pattern and agroforestry systems that contribute to food security, self-sufficiency, and soil and land conservation; • empowered people by increasing their share of any value-added received through linkages to local markets and crossborder traders; • increased value of outputs produced and the value of assets, specifically land, through improved management and agroforestry systems; and, • improved access to resources needed for food security and food self-sufficiency, specifically land, to which farmers have access temporarily through the GOL’s Land and Forest Allocation Program.

  8. Doi Tung Development ProjectChiangrai, Thailand • 30 year intervention launched in 1988 • US$25 million invested over 18 years • Self-sustaining since 2002; 2005 gross income of 400 million baht / $10 million • 2,500 employees, mostly villagers from Doi Tung; mostly ethnic minority people • Project objective: provide alternative livelihoods to farmers cultivating opium

  9. 8

  10. Doi Tung Development ProjectFood Security & Livelihood Development

  11. Doi Tung: Basic Health

  12. 54

  13. Doi Tung: Basic Health & Edcucation

  14. Doi Tung Development ProjectFood Security & Livelihood Development • Quick hit!! = food security & employment opportunities • Build on local wisdom, indigenous knowledge, traditional technology • Market oriented approach; project absorbs market risk • Concentrate on products with high potential for value-added • Focus on environmental restoration

  15. Doi Tung Development ProjectFood Security & Livelihood Development • Agroforestry systems suitable to highland areas: • Arabica coffee: requires shade • Macadamia nuts: requires cool temperatures • Tea: indigenous; requires cool temperatures & high altitude • Handicrafts & cottage industries • Textiles: weaving, embroidery, sewing • Pottery: indigenous designs • Mulberry paper: indigenous knowledge

  16. Doi Tung Development ProjectChiangrai, Thailand15,000 ha (6.25 rai / hectare)

  17. Economic Forestry:Shade-Grown Coffee

  18. Value Chain for Coffee Roasted beans $10.00/kg. $2.00/kg. Green beans Branded roasted beans $20.00/kg. Retail coffee shop $100.00/kg.

  19. Doi Tung Coffee

  20. Sense of ownership = Productivity

  21. Value Chain for Macadamia Nut OEM Nut in husks $2.00/kg. $10.00/kg. Chocolate Macadamia Nuts Branded Macadamia $25.00/kg. $110.00/kg.

  22. Doi Tung Handicraft Products

  23. Doi Tung Development ProjectEnvironmental Rehabilitation • Reforestation • Agroforestry systems • Economically valuable trees & upland crops; vetiver grass to control erosion • Linked to agriculture, labor, and trade • Reforestation of 150 sq km at Doi Tung • Mistake: used monoculture of pines • Economic tree crops: macadamia, Arabica coffee

  24. 1992 26

  25. Doi Tung Development ProjectChiangrai, Thailand Benefits of environmental rehabilitation: • High value crops: Arabica coffee & macadamia nuts, tea, vetiver grass with high potential for value added • Ecological restoration: • Seasonal temperature variations lessened • Rainfall more consistent • Watershed is in tact

  26. Doi Tung Today

  27. Holistic, integrated approach: Basic health Food security & livelihood Education Community development approach: Liaison with community leaders In-depth understanding of community needs Community participation, consultation, & sense of ownership Timing: Short-term: 60-180 days Medium-term: 3-7 years Long-term: 8-12 years Measure progress: Socioeconomic baseline survey Important factors: Vision Sound project Market-oriented Good management Accountability Exit strategy Doi Tung Development ProjectKey Elements of a Rural Development Program

  28. Education Montessori Teaching Method:

  29. Education Classrooms for Adult Education and In-house Skill Training

  30. Emerging Themes & Factors for Success

  31. Aspects of Environmental Conservation in Rural Development: • Market-oriented approach, where project absorbs market risk • Niche market crops with potential for value added & simultaneously environmentally friendly • Arabica coffee, macadamia nuts, crops for seed, NTFPs • Community development approach; planning • Improved access to land-based resources • Development initiatives are based on indigenous knowledge & skills that enhance quality of life; i.e., environmental conservation • Define a role for government; e.g., environmental protection; arbitration; neutral party; facilitator; coordinator

  32. The End Thank you

  33. Doi Tung Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage www.maefahluang.org www.doitung.org zolaa@inet.co.th

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