Second Evaluation of the Mae Chaem Watershed Development Project, Thailand
KEYWORD: Community-based Natural Forest Management, Asia. Asia, Thailand, agricultural diversification, agricultural intensification, financing, market development, marketing, conservation, landscape ecology, soil conservation, policy, training, community participation, education, evaluation, project report. SUMMARY: The purpose of this detailed evaluation was to determine the successes and future direction of the Mae Chaem Watershed Development Project (MCWDP) according to the goals that were set forth in the first evaluation in 1983. The project has been largely successful, however, results vary considerably among target villages. The project has been more successful in lowlands than in hill-tribe villages. In lowland villages, the people have developed a capacity for self-help and continue to achieve higher standards of living as shown to them by the MCWDP, but in the hillside villages the people are not yet close to achieving this goal. The authors have organized the report into the following categories to give their assessments: Project management: This has been very effective due to the enthusiasm and skills of the Royal Thai Government and USAID leadership, who have overcome numerous hurdles to keep this project moving forward. U.S. assistance: Grants have been essential and should continue to ensure that communities reach self-help capability. Project as a model: This has been unclear and the model has not been well defined. Project successes are due largely to the enthusiasm and dedication of the leadership, and therefore it may be difficult to replicate, though strategies such as specialized teamwork may be replicable. Evaluation: The project has responded to the 1983 evaluation. The authors suggest that project focus should be to ensure that the project initiatives will continue beyond the life of the funding. This could be accomplished by continuing to involve villagers, researching regional market needs for crops and goods, repairing structures such as roads and hillside terraces, and spending more time in areas that have not attained self-help capability. Future funding should be directed toward education for villagers. Opium detoxification programs should be continued.
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Second Evaluation of the Mae Chaem Watershed Development Project, Thailand
KEYWORD: Community-based Natural Forest Management, Asia. Asia, Thailand, agricultural diversification, agricultural intensification, financing, market development, marketing, conservation, landscape ecology, soil conservation, policy, training, community participation, education, evaluation, project report. SUMMARY: The purpose of this detailed evaluation was to determine the successes and future direction of the Mae Chaem Watershed Development Project (MCWDP) according to the goals that were set forth in the first evaluation in 1983. The project has been largely successful, however, results vary considerably among target villages. The project has been more successful in lowlands than in hill-tribe villages. In lowland villages, the people have developed a capacity for self-help and continue to achieve higher standards of living as shown to them by the MCWDP, but in the hillside villages the people are not yet close to achieving this goal. The authors have organized the report into the following categories to give their assessments: Project management: This has been very effective due to the enthusiasm and skills of the Royal Thai Government and USAID leadership, who have overcome numerous hurdles to keep this project moving forward. U.S. assistance: Grants have been essential and should continue to ensure that communities reach self-help capability. Project as a model: This has been unclear and the model has not been well defined. Project successes are due largely to the enthusiasm and dedication of the leadership, and therefore it may be difficult to replicate, though strategies such as specialized teamwork may be replicable. Evaluation: The project has responded to the 1983 evaluation. The authors suggest that project focus should be to ensure that the project initiatives will continue beyond the life of the funding. This could be accomplished by continuing to involve villagers, researching regional market needs for crops and goods, repairing structures such as roads and hillside terraces, and spending more time in areas that have not attained self-help capability. Future funding should be directed toward education for villagers. Opium detoxification programs should be continued.
