Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research - Frontier-publications ...

SPIEEP: End of Project ReportMr My, the Director of the Sa PaMedicinal Plants Centre instructing Daofarmers on a study tour to the ResearchCentre of Medicinal Plants, Hanoithe climate and altitude, techniques and crops are often slightly different so a great dealwas seen by the Sa Pa farmers that was different to their own experiences.3.2.3.6 Ongoing monitoring and evaluationInternal monitoring of the project is a continuous process, achieved by the Sa Pa MPCstaff working alongside Frontier project staff. The medicinal plants Technical Assistantvisited farmers informally and on a regular basis (each farmer household was visitedapproximately every 2 weeks) with a view to assisting farmers in maximising success andreducing problems where possible. At least once per quarter a more formal monitoringmeeting occurs where monitoring relates to the stage of crop development at the time(e.g. monitoring during July – September focuses on harvesting). Two evaluations wereconducted by the project over the course of the project: a mid-term evaluation conductedafter the first year, post-harvest for most crops, prior to planting for the second year; andan end of project evaluation, again post-harvest for the same crops. Evaluations werebroader in scope than the monitoring and aimed at looking at the project as a whole:results for the year, plans and improvement for the year to come, level of project supportfor the farmers, and so on. Results from the monitoring and evaluations were continuallytaken into account in order to improve the project for all participants.3.2.3.7 Grower’s guide bookThe idea of producing a ‘Growers Guide to Select Medicinal Plants of Sa Pa’ arose fromrequests made by both the Farmers Union and the farmers themselves. Both groups (andsubsequently the MPC) believed it would be a useful educational tool, particularly forfarmers outside of the project, once the project ends. To this end, therefore, in discussionwith the Farmers Union, MPC and project farmers, a list was drawn up for information tobe included in the guide (see box 18).Many of the farmers expressed a desire to grow many of the rarer/endangered medicinalplants, precisely because they are becoming increasingly difficult to find in the wild.Some of these species have also been included in the guide. A total of five hundredcopies were produced and distributed.Frontier Vietnam Environment Research Report 23 28