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

www.sji.bt 2

Implemented by the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 3

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).

08 Fall

[ C o m p a n y A d d r e s s ]

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 4

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.

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 5

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

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 6

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/Tshogpa

Gewog

Mr. Leki Samdrup Barkalangnang, Woongthi, Dung Joo, Moorshinglangnang

Lauri Lauri

Mr. Dorji Dakpa Barkalangnang, Woongthi, Dung Joo, Moorshinglangnang

Lauri Lauri

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 Dungmanma

Lauri

Mr. Tsheten Tshering Dungmanma , Meringchhenmo Dungmanma

Lauri

Collectively built during training session

Jompa Gewog center Gewog center

Lauri

Mr. Lhundup Barkalangnang Barkalangnang

Serthi

Mr. Lhajey Serthi Serthi Serthi

Mr. Tashi Phuntsho Minjiwoong Minjiwoong Serthi

Mr. Rinchen Wangdi Sueskar Sueskar Serthi

Collectively built during training session

Phagchho Phagchho Serthi

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 7

ADDING VALUE AND ENHANCING CAPACITY In an evaluation of the solar drier conducted in December 2011, the National Post Harvest Center made the following observation: “In short, the solar dryer has proven effective for drying the fresh produce since it has achieved considerable drying environment during daytime and cooling environment to prevent condensation during the night time. Further, the dried products have retained some color and are safe from contamination of molds, dust, insects and birds.” The Lauri agriculture extension agent Mr. Dorji Laythro says farmers find the solar dried vegetables clean and nutritious compared to ones made from open air and oven drying. With these advantages, the solar dried produce can cash in on the existing national appetite and demand for dried vegetables. Like in many parts of Bhutan, some shops in Dewathang and Samdrup Jongkhar sell dried vegetables. Tour agents in Thimphu who organize treks have also expressed interest in procuring the solar dried products of Lauri and Serthi. As part of the project, the SJI manufactured cloth bags that feature a distinct logo as seen in the picture below.

Cloth bags with Made in Samdrup Jongkhar logo

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 8

As SJI expands, the focus is on economic diversification and new possibilities for sustainable income generating activities identified by the local communities in Samdrup Jongkhar and the Government of Bhutan.

Solar dried produce from Gonong village, Zangthey, Lauri gewog.

Besides the commercial opportunities presented by the solar dried products, the following benefits were outlined by the users of the prototype solar driers:

1. Solar dried products make ideal gifts for visitors. Solar drier users have sent dried vegetables to their relatives living in the urban areas of Bhutan.

2. Users have exchanged their solar dried vegetables for dairy products 3. Solar dried produce have longer shelf life. 4. Uniform drying: the bottom part of the produce doesn’t dry well in the traditional method. 5. No loss of color takes place when produce is dried in the solar drier. 6. No mold formations noted when drying produce using the solar drier. 7. Solar dried products have better taste. 8. Produce take less time to dry. 9. Solar dried products are less prone to worm infestations. 10. No dust lands on the produce. It is protected from animals and birds and therefore hygienic. 11. Produce are protected from rain and water. Users pointed out that this allowed them to focus

on other tasks at hand.

Lessons learned

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative is one of the few civil society projects based in the districts. While implementing the GNHC-UNDP-REAP funded solar drier project, the SJI gained valuable experiences and was able to strengthen relations with the communities of the gewogs of Lauri and Serthi which in turn contributed to the enhancement of the capacity of SJI.

The active participation of the local government of Lauri and Serthi was a major contributing factor in the successful completion of the project. The local governments including the agriculture extension officer assisted SJI throughout the project implementation period. From conducting training to transportation of materials, their support was indeed invaluable. The integral role played by the local

The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative

www.sji.bt 9

government and community not only facilitated the project implementation but also laid the ground for the community ownership of the project, thereby ensuring its sustainability.

Thanks to an extensive mobile coverage, the project implementation team was able overcome some of the challenges brough forth by the remote location of Lauri and Serthi. Cellular communications enabled the SJI team to remain in constant touch with the stakeholders in Lauri and Serthi gewogs.