Ex-post Evaluation

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Thailand

Project title:

The Chiang Mai University Plant Biotechnology Research Project

Issue/Sector:

Agriculture

Cooperation Scheme:

Project-Type Technical Cooperation

Division in Charge:

Agricultural Development Cooperation Department

Total Cost:

660 Million yen

Period of Cooperation

August 1, 1993 – July 31, 1998

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

Chiang Mai University

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Ministry of Education, Mie University, Kagawa University

Related Cooperation:

Third-Country Training “Sustainable Highland Agricultural Development”

1-1 Background of the Project

Since the government of Thailand proposed in the 6th economic and social development program that it will reduce the gap in income and living standards between urban and rural areas, it has been enhancing strength in the field of biotechnology, in order to help improve the quality of agricultural production and thus increase export of products. Based on this background, the government of Thailand requested Project-type Technical Cooperation from Japan.

1-2 Project Overview

The project focused on transferring technology in developing improved, disease-free seeds to Chiang Mai University (CMU) researchers in the field of plant biotechnology, in order to resolve the problem of the gap in income and living standards between urban and rural areas in Thailand.

(1) Overall Goal
Agricultural productivity in the northern part region of Thailand is improved.

(2) Project Purpose
Research capabilities of the academic staff at CMU in the field of biotechnology is improved.

(3) Outputs
1) Plant biotechnology research and acclimatization research will be conducted.
2) Manuals will be produced, and seminars and workshops will be organized to improve research capabilities.

(4) Inputs

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Team Consulting Engineering and Management Co., Ltd. (Commissioned to a local consultant.)

Period of Evaluation

December 11, 2002 – February 8, 2003

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation by Overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
Farmers in Thailand benefited from the research results of this Project, which was disseminated through the Royal Foundation Project. The Royal Foundation Project is supported by the royal family of Thailand and aids impoverished farmers in the north. The primary beneficiaries of the Project are the strawberry growers. Even after the completion of the project, 1,200 farmers received technical transfer through training and workshops, and 450 farmers received improved and disease-free seeds of strawberries, potatoes, garlic, chrysanthemums and roses that had been developed and produced by Chiang Mai University. In addition, strawberry production manuals prepared jointly by Chiang Mai University and other research institutions were given to farmers interested in commercial farming and strawberry production. Further, 950 commercial potato farmers received training and three local processing plants received technical aid from Chiang Mai University. These examples are some of the benefits made available for farmers and private-sector companies in northern Thailand.

The Project also helped to train personnel in the field of plant biotechnology. Taking advantage of the opportunity for counterparts and experts to receive training in Japan, researchers continued with their education after the Project was finished. For example, three researchers received PhDs at a Japanese university. Chiang Mai University set up a plant biotechnology course, which has turned out nine graduates with master’s degrees and two with PhDs, increasing the number of domestic degree holders.

Chiang Mai University has become the center for plant biotechnology research in Thailand, and its representatives serve on the government’s scientific technology committees such the one at the National Center on Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, helping to strengthen and promote Thailand’s biotechnology. The educational materials prepared by the Project counterparts are used extensively not only by Chiang Mai University but also by other universities in Thailand.

(2) Sustainability
Regarding research activities, three papers were accepted for publication by international academic journals after the project was completed, and four were accepted by domestic academic journals. Other activities designed to diffuse the project’s effects are carried out on a regular basis. Since the completion of the project, eight international seminars, conferences and workshops have been held, and a domestic academic conference has been held every year. Through third-country training, Chiang Mai University trained researchers from other universities and research institutions in protoplast technology, and offered training in tissue culture to researchers from Laos and the People’s Republic of China. As some analytical equipment such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography is used by students in other courses for their research, short-term training on how to use such equipment is made available.

The Plant Biotechnology Research Center (PBRC) and central research laboratory were established when the Project began. The project provided the faculty in the agriculture department with 180 pieces of equipment (analytical equipment, audio-visual equipment, etc.). Almost all of them were installed in PBRC, and partly in the central research laboratory, the Department of Horticulture, and Department of Soil Science and Conservation. Of these, 175 equipment pieces are still in good condition. While the central research laboratory maintains record on its equipment, it is unclear as to what purposes and how often PBRC uses its equipment. After the Project was completed, the budget for maintenance increased modestly from 450,000 bahts per year in 1998 to 600,000 bahts per year in 2002. Funds for research depend heavily on international and domestic grants.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects

The system for spreading benefits of the Project to farmers through the Royal Foundation Project by the royal family of Thailand helped bring about the expected output of Project as a whole. As a result, the project had a considerable impact.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects

Research activities are restricted by the limited funds available for research, which result in young researchers having very little funds for research, and insufficient equipment sharing between departments.

3-4 Conclusion

The Project had the direct effect of improving the productivity of strawberry and potato farmers in northern Thailand, and the effect still continues. Further, plant biotechnology courses have been established, to produce personnel trained in this field. Aid received both domestically and internationally is enabling Chiang Mai University to develop and spread its technology.

3-5 Recommendations

The following activities should be strengthened to enhance benefits to farmers in northern Thailand:

(1) Increase the supply of disease-free seeds by developing the private sector.

(2) Research crops appropriate for sand and low fertile soil, and distribute the findings.

(3) Put forth further efforts in applying for research grants.

(4) Strengthen affiliations with overseas research institutes.

3-6 Lessons Learned

It is crucial that funds for research be secured after the completion of the Project to ensure that academic research activities can be sustained. At the completion of the Project, its team should estimate the implementing institution’s potential for securing funds.

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A