The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Solar Drier Project in Lauri and Serthi Funded by the Gross National Happiness Commission and United Nations Development Programme Initial research, training, prototype development, and testing funded by International Development Research Center The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Implemented by the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative www.sji.bt 2 Fall 08 The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Background The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative is a project under the umbrella of the Lhomon Society (LMS), which was registered as a CSO on 7th February 2012. LMS is Bhutan’s first major civil society-based development project designed to foster GNH-based development in harmony with government goals. Initiated by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in March, 2010 as a potential model for the country, its purpose is to raise living standards in Samdrup Jongkhar district and beyond in an ecologically friendly way, and to establish food security and self-sufficiency, while fully protecting and enhancing the natural environment, strengthening communities, promoting Bhutan's unique culture, stemming the rural-urban migration tide, and fostering a cooperative, productive, entrepreneurial, and self-reliant spirit. Initially, SJI is focusing on four areas of work to achieve this aim: i) sustainable agriculture, ii) sustainable waste management, iii) appropriate technology, and iv) youth engagement. In the future, the intention is to expand the SJI agenda to focus more on economic diversification and new possibilities for sustainable income generating activities identified by the local communities in Samdrup Jongkhar and the Government of Bhutan. The underpinning objective of all the above is to strengthen the system of democratic governance. One of the first collaborative project between the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative (SJI) and the new Centre for Appropriate Technology at Jigme Namgyel Polytechnic (JNP) in Dewathang was studying the potential for application of solar dryer technology in Samdrup Jongkhar dzongkhag, and ― if successful ― in other parts of rural Bhutan. On the initiative of the SJI, and funded by the International Development Research Centre, a JNP faculty member and six Samdrup Jongkhar villagers from remote Lauri gewog undertook training in solar drying fabrication and maintenance at the Barli Development Institute in Madhya Pradesh, India which has developed highly effective, low-cost solar driers, applied them very successfully in villages in that state, and trained thousands of local villagers in their use. Based on the first made-in-Samdrup Jongkhar solar drier fabricated at JNP, and extensive field-testing of the solar driers in Lauri Gewog, the SJI sought funding for technology transfer in this field in the most remote non-electrified rural gewogs (Lauri and Serthi) of Samdrup Jongkhar. Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative separately raised funds through GPI Atlantic’s Canadian Partnerships Agreement with the International Development Research Centre for the prototype development and testing phase of this project, which ran from September 2011 to February 2012. During this preparatory phase, the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Post-Harvest Centre (NPHC) conducted extensive testing of the prototype drier, design modifications were incorporated, and three mechanical engineering students from JNP, who were involved in the present solar drier fabrication at JNP, along with SJI staff, worked with local Lauri carpenters and the Lauri villagers previously trained by SJI and the Barli Institute to teach select villagers in Lauri Gewog to build, use, maintain, and repair the solar drier. NPHC deputed a highly trained staff person to go to Lauri with the SJI-JNP team to help train villagers, particularly on correct and hygienic preparation of produce for drying. Funding for dissemination and implementation of the Solar-Drier Project in Lauri was obtained from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Gross National Happiness Commission-initiated Rural Economy Advancement Program (REAP). [Company Address] www.sji.bt 3 The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Budget and project management The project was implemented with a budget of Nu.5,68,000.00. Funding was routed through the Civil Society Organisation Authority of Bhutan. Limited bidding procurement was followed for the procurement of the materials. SJI executive director Tshewang Dendup managed the project and authored this report with significant inputs from SJI farmer liaison Sherab Dorji. SJI farmer liaison Sherab Dorji and Executive Director made two field visits to Lauri and Serthi in October and December 2012. A copy of the preliminary visit made in October is appended in this document. SJI appropriate technology coordinator Cheku Dorji provided administrative and office support in the implementation of the project. Project area, location and geographic coverage of the project Lauri and Serthi are two of the 11 gewogs of Samdrup Jongkhar dzongkhag. To reach Lauri, the project team travelled to Jomotsangkha where the Dungkhag headquarter is located. An unpaved road takes the Lauri traveler to Phogcheri under Serthi gewog. While the road continues upwards taking the traveler to the gewog center of Serthi in Minjiwoong, Lauri travelers get off at Phogcheri. The trek from Phogcheri to Lauri passes through Zamtari and Debtshang. Five driers were installed in Serthi with one drier in every chiwog. 18 driers were installed in Lauri gewog. The placement of the driers was decided by the local government. In Lauri, the agriculture extension officer provided technical inputs and advice while selecting the location of the driers. Project goals and objectives The project aims to contribute to equitable and balanced socio-economic development and poverty eradication by putting in place a framework that will enable the poor to secure sustainable livelihoods by increasing their productive capacity. The installation of the 23 solar-dryers will further enhance the skills and capacity of the six women solar engineers and local carpenters to construct and maintain such solar dryers, and the high quality of the solar-dried fruit and vegetable products will lead to better marketing possibilities and income generation for the people of Lauri. Key elements of the project CAPACITY BUILDING: Women Solar Engineers The key distinguishing feature of the solar drier project in Lauri and Serthi gewogs is the crucial role played by the women solar engineers in the effective implementation of the project. With stipend and tools provided by the project, the solar engineers successfully installed the technical component of the solar dryer and shared their knowledge on proper drying and packaging of produce with the users1. The active involvement of the women solar engineers in the project provided a platform to enhance their capacity, created awareness on gender equity by showcasing the technical prowess of the women engineers who provided critical technical backstopping while their male counterparts contributed by fabricating the physical structure of solar driers. 1The solar engineers were trained on proper handling, drying and packaging of produce by a National Post Harvest Center official in December 2011. www.sji.bt 4 The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative During the project implementation period, the solar engineers left their homes and traversed the length and breadth of Lauri and Serthi gewogs. They reached a total of 23 different locations in an area of Bhutan that is not connected by roads and electricity. The availability of such local skilled personnel was indeed a blessing. Without them, the project would have had to rely on technical personnel to be brought from outside the gewog, which in turn would have increased the cost of the project activities. Lauri’s solar engineers Dorji Pemo and Tshering Zangmo ready the solar panels for installation while carpenters work on building the structure of the solar drier Table 1: List of solar engineers involved in the fabrication and maintenance of the solar dryers in Lauri and Serthi gewogs. Name Location Gewog 1. Ms Dorji Pelmo Lauri Lauri 2. Ms Tshering Zangmo Gonong Lauri 3. Ms Dorji Tshomo Dungmanma Lauri 4. Ms Jambay Yangzom Dungmanma Lauri 5. Ms Kinzang Choden Serthi Serthi 6. Ms Kesang Lhaden Serthi Serthi Lauri carpenters fabricate a solar dryer at onsite training conducted at the gewog center in Jompa www.sji.bt 5 The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative Local Capacity While designing and during implementation of the project, enhancing capacity of local communities was given high priority. Three ‘on the site training’ on fabrication of the solar driers were held for carpenters in Lauri and Serthi gewogs. The trainings were attended by more than 30 residents of Lauri gewog. 16 carpenters from Lauri and Serthi gewogs built the 23 solar driers. Table 2 :List of carpenters and locations of solar driers fabricated in Lauri and Serthi gewogs. Name of carpenter Locations of solar driers Chihog/Tsho Gewo gpa g Mr. Leki Samdrup Barkalangnang, Woongthi, Dung Joo, Lauri Lauri Moorshinglangnang Mr. Dorji Dakpa Barkalangnang, Woongthi, Dung Joo, Lauri Lauri Moorshinglangnang Mr. Yeshey Wangdi Patpanadang Lauri Lauri Mr. Ugyen Thinley Ramjar Lauri Lauri Mr. Pema Samdrup Renang Momring Lauri Mr. Leki Wangchuk Phajo Gonpa Momring Lauri Mr. Pema Zangpo Dung Juka Momring Lauri Mr. Dhendup Tshering Paam Momring Lauri Mr. Tashi Pang Tey Momring Lauri Mr. Tshewang Serjong, Tashiphug, Tshothang Gonong Lauri Mr. Tsheten Dorji Betsheling Dungmanm Lauri a Mr. Tsheten Tshering