The Post-project Evaluation of Social Forestry based Project A Case of Japanese Forestry Extension Project in Thailand

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of forestry related projects based on social forestry approach. Social forestry approach is suitable for projects in developing countries in the view point of effective afforested area management, local people empowerment, encouraging projects' ownership and so on.

This study discusses the current demand for evaluation of the forestry-related projects, mainly focused on post-project evaluation for the social forestry approach based projects. Those social forestry based projects have relatively short history, especially in the field of technical cooperation.

Therefore there have few examples of post-project evaluation and authorized evaluation method. This study proposes a theoretical and practical framework for post-project evaluation based on multi criteria appraisal. In particular, this study focuses on the foresrty extension project supported by Japan's technical assistance in Thailand.

Concluding remarks from the case are as follows. First, the framework with sustainability criteria and impact criteria is useful for post-project evaluation of social forestry based projects. Second, both school land and temple land planting are more suitable than general community land planting from the view point of effective afforested area management. Third, involving village head is useful to expand project results effectively at least in the northeastern part of Thailand. Forth, suitable extension method should be analyzed before project implementation. Fifth, agroforestry approach can be useful to extend project results widely and effectively.