Recent Publications
- A Baseline Study of ASM Communities: In the Context of Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 in the ASM Communities in KBK Districts.
- Gender impacts assessment of covid-19 in ASM communities of KBK districts, Odishsa, India
- Preparedness and Awareness Level of ASM communities to respond and cope with COVID-19 Outbreak: A study
- An Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on ASM Communities And The New Opportunities
- Training Need Assessment of the ASM Workers: a Study Report https://delvedatabase.org/resources/training-need-assessment-of-the-asm-workers-a-study-report
RELEVANT BASELINE STUDIES:
· A baseline survey on the status of sugarcane production technologies in Odisha, India, 2013
- Sugarcane production under smallholder farming systems in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra: Survey of farmers preferred traits, constraints and genetic resources, Govt of Maharashtra, 2014
- Changing Fertilizer Management Practices in Sugarcane Production: Cane Grower Survey in Odisha & Andhra Pradesh, 2016
- Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Sugarcane yield, harvested area, and production in UP, India, Government of UP, 2015
- Dash Sujitav, Punjabi, M., K.M. Singh, R.K.P.Singh, N.R. Bhasin N.R. Bhasin, Dairy Value Chains in Bihar and Orissa. Background paper for the India Livestock Sector Review, Washington, DC: World bank, processed, 2008.
- Dash Sujitav, Punjabi, M., K.M. Singh, R.K.P.Singh, N.R. Bhasin N.R. Bhasin Poultry Value Chains in Bihar and Orissa. Background paper for the India Livestock Sector Review, Washington, DC: World bank, processed, 2008.
- Dash Sujitav, Punjabi, M., K.M. Singh, R.K.P.Singh, N.R. Bhasin N.R. Bhasin, Goat Value Chain in Bihar and Orissa. Background paper for the India Livestock Sector Review, Washington, DC: World bank, processed, 2008.
- Dash, Sujitav, Pro-poor livestock policy review for Orissa, Background paper for the India Livestock Sector Review, Washington, DC: World bank, processed, 2008
- A Baseline Study on Climate Change Impact on Livelihood of Indigenous tribal people of Orissa, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), 2011
- Impact Evaluation Study of the Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture (TEWA) project in Odisha, India (DANIDA)
- Process documentation research (PDR) of the Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture (TEWA) project in Odisha, India (DANIDA)
- Documentation of Best Practices of the project on Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture, DANIDA (Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture), 2004
Abstracts of Selected Studies:
A baseline survey on the status of sugarcane production technologies in Odisha, India, 2013
A baseline survey was conducted to determine the status of production technologies in various sugarcane-growing zones and identify possible interventions to improve sugarcane productivity.
The objectives of this study were to determine current sugarcane yields in various zones, assess the extent of adoption of best sugarcane management practices, establish the area of commercial sugarcane varieties and determine the reasons for low cultivation of improved varieties.
Primary data analysis indicated that current sugarcane management practices in production included conventional tillage (48% of respondents), minimal soil tests prior to planting (27%), use of poor quality seed cane (over 60%), manual weed control (over 70%), lack of seed cane of new varieties (55%), and lack of awareness (42%). The study results show that sensitisation and training of farmers on new varieties and use of best management practices should be performed. In addition, an effective seed-cane multiplication and distribution framework should be instituted urgently to improve technology uptake.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers/investigators from SRADHA undertook the study between March and April 2013.
Through stratified random sampling, 390 sugarcane farmers were drawn equally from the various sugar zones were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using the SPSS statistical package.
Sugarcane production under smallholder farming systems in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra: Survey of farmers preferred traits, constraints and genetic resources, 2014
Smallholder sugarcane production sector is under researched and under- developed with limited industrial link and support. The objectives of this study were to assess the current state of sugarcane production, farmers’ perceived production constraints and preferred traits, and to collect germplasm grown by smallholder farmers in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra for strategic breeding and conservation.
Findings from this study indicated that mono-cropping was identified as the predominant sugarcane farming system. Respondent farmers prioritized drought tolerance (25%), increased cane yield (60%), early maturity (45%), marketability (72%), and high biomass (32%) as the top preferred traits of sugarcane.
Findings from this study served as baseline information towards sugarcane research and development emphasizing the constraints and preferences of small holder sugarcane growers in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and or similar agro-ecologies
Changing Fertilizer Management Practices in Sugarcane Production: Cane Grower Survey in Odisha & Andhra Pradesh, 2016
The study examined farming behavior change and the role of supporting services among 350 sugarcane growers in Coastal region of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh who completed surveys reporting on changes in the method they used to calculate fertilizer application rates, along with information on their farm business, socio-demographics, etc.
Results indicated growers were less likely to change fertilizer practice if they regarded maintaining good relationships with other local growers as being extremely important, had off-farm income, or had not attended a government-funded fertilizer management workshop in the five years preceding the survey. Similar drivers acted to promote or delay early adoption of improved practice. Results demonstrate the influence of government-funded services to support practice change.
Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Sugarcane yield, harvested area, and production in UP, India, 2015
This study investigated the impact of climate change on yield, harvested area, and production of sugarcane in India. We found that in general climate variables both mean and variability statistically determined the yield and harvested area of sugarcane. Climate change can directly affect crops through rising temperature and changing rainfall patterns, or indirectly affect crops through soil, nutrient, and increasing pest interference. It is revealed that crop yields have been affected by the variability of temperature, rainfall, and the interaction between them and climate change impacts will be different across locations, types of crop, scenarios, and farmer adaptation
A baseline survey on yield and farm practices of millet farmers in Sundargarh District of Odisha, India, 2018, Odisha,
Method:
- This study adopted a survey design. A multi-method research strategy which included qualitative and quantitative research approach for data collection and analyses was adopted in a bid to complement the validity and reliability of the study’s results.
- Stratified random sampling technique was employed in carrying out the survey. Both primary and secondary data was used with 1200 respondent sampled.
- The study employed structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview as the main instruments of the survey.
Methods of Data Analyses
- Data processing and analysis was done by compiling information collected using different data collection methods. Therefore, both numeric and non-numeric data analysis software was used, depending on the type of data collected.
- The qualitative data from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations was coded and analyzed using the Qualitative Data Analysis software (MAXQDA) version10 and it was presented in the form of descriptions (texts, photos, tables) and quotes.
- Quantitative data from questionnaire was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 20.
- Descriptive statistics was used to generate frequencies and percentages. Cross-tabulation was also be made, particularly for the multiple response questions. This allowed comparison of different study parameters among villages in the district.
Findings:
- Broadly, there are four types of millets cultivated in Sundargarh district during 2017- 18, such as ragi, janha, kangu and suan and total millet production was 2300 quintals. Farmers cultivating kangu and suan were very small.
From total 1200 farmers, ragi was cultivated by
1176 farmers 98.0% , janha by 112 farmers 9.33% , kangu by 42 farmers 3.5% and suan by 30 farmers 2.5% .
- From total millets area of 477 hectares, ragi was cultivated in 438 hectares (91.82%); janha in 27 hectares (5.66%), kangu in 7 hectares (1.47%) and suan in 5 hectares (1.05%).
- From the total production of 2295 quintal millets, the share of ragi was 2140 quintals (93.25%), janha was 145 quintals (6.32%), kangu was 5.5quintals (0.24%) and suan was 4.5 quintals (0.2%).
- Per farmer production of ragi is 1.82 qtls and that of janha is 1.29 qtls/HH. The average HH production is equal in case of kangu is 0.13 quintal and suan i.e. 0.15 qtls/HH.
- The yield rate of ragi was 5.0 qtls/ha, janha was 5.4 qtls/ha, kangu was 0.9 qtls/ha and suan was 1.2 qtls/ha.
- For ragi cultivation, most HHs adopted line sowing method followed by broadcasting method and transplanting method and System of Millets Intensification (SMI) method (4.2%). The rest 26.9 per cent HHs have adopted more than one method of cultivation.
- For janha cultivation most of the HHs have adopted multiple methods of cultivation (71.3%), particularly broadcasting and transplanting methods. Among the HHs who have adopted single method, Line sowing is the most preferred method (11.1%) broadcasting (8.3%), transplanting (7.4%) and SMI (1.9%) are preferred by HHs.
- For kangu cultivation, most HHs (45.2%) adopted multiple methods of cultivation such as
- broadcasting and transplanting. Broadcasting was the mst preferred method followed by transplanting.
- For suan cultivation, half of the surveyed HHs have adopted multiple methods. Among the single methods, broadcasting is the most preferred one (28.6%) followed by line sowing and transplanting methods (10.7% each).
Conclusion:
The level of production of millet is very low as most of the people are cultivating it only for their own consumption. The yield is low and about 90 percent of farmers practicing broadcasting method of cultivation. There are limited processing units in the district and more than half of the people are doing it manually which is the main factor of drudgery among women farmers. 60 percent of the farmers had sold their produce in local markets and the visiting traders. The farmers in general face distress sale of the produce when they had need of cash.
Base line survey for small holder farmer livelihood improvement in Gangetic basin of Bihar state, India, 2018
A base line survey was undertaken to know the existing farming practices of the farmers of Gangetic Basin area of Bihar. Survey covered crop, livestock, fish, homestead, agro forestry systems with data pertaining to 350 farmers from 30 villages in the Gagetic basin. Data refer to the input output details and other socio-economic characteristics of farm households in the crop year 2017- 2018. Random sampling technique was used for collecting data.
A baseline survey for the project reducing the Vulnerability of Rural Livelihoods through Climate Change Planning and Execution of Priority Actions
This baseline survey was conducted to assist sustainable rural livelihood project management and implementation teams to understand and measure the current situations of community livelihoods, agricultural production systems, community vulnerability and susceptibility to climate change impacts, access to water for household consumption and agriculture, and their existing capacities and livelihood capabilities in relation to climate smart agricultural production and climate resilient livelihood strategies in the 8 target districts of Odisha India
This baseline survey applied four main methods to collect primary and secondary, quantitative and qualitative data from different sources. These included: (1) desk review or documentary review and analysis of all relevant documents and reports; (2) technical expert consultation; (3) in-depth key informant interviews with 50 representatives of state and non-state actors; (4) quantitative household (HH) survey interviews with 1,563 HH respondents across 44 villages, 35 communes, and 8 districts selected during the fieldworks; and (4) focus group discussions with a total of 25 FGDs and 592 participants for both target provinces. The difference-in-difference design (DID or DD) was used to support scientific power analysis in selecting the total HH sample size and the total amount of selected Treatment (T), Control 1 (C1), and Control 2 (C2) villages for the survey as well as specific numbers of HH respondents per each selected village.
Collected data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Qualitatively, framework analysis and livelihood analysis matrix were used. Quantitatively, SRL project logframe and standard indicators and analysis matrix and relevant descriptive and inferential statistical tools of SPSS were utilized in order to analyze data collected from HH survey interviews.
Baseline study for Climate Resilience through Indigenous Seeds Systems Project (CRISP)
Project Location: Odisha, Tamilnadu, Andhra, West Bengal
Objective:
- Conduct studies to inform the design of CRISP on three thematic areas, Livelihood and Climate change analysis
- Market access and Income generation opportunities analysis, Social, Gender and Institution analysis
- To suggest strategies and possible interventions to achieve the project outcomes.
- Understand, review and recommend refinements/additions to the project outcome indicators to inform the baseline and end line
- Conduct the baseline study to measure the baseline values of project indicators.
Activities Performed:
Qualitative studies conducted in 4 project states using the different PRA techniques. FGDs and IDIs were conducted with relevant stakeholder to understand:
- Vulnerabilities due to climatic & social shocks and creating sustainable livelihoods around indigenous seed system.
- Existing practices, gaps and scope around the cultivation and marketing of indigenous seeds.
- Used the accessed and control tools to understand the access and control of women over the resources
- Dietary diversity tools were used to measure the dietary diversity of households in project geographies.
Measured the maturity of community-based institutions using the CBO maturity index tools. - Designed the research instruments and facilitated project partners in collecting the data for baseline study
Baseline study for the Climate Change, Agriculture and Poverty Alleviation (CCAP) initiative, Kalahandi, Odisha, 2014
The survey aimed to document a baseline with regards to the status of project indicators and stakeholders’ progress markers and to assess the current uptake of climate-smart, small-scale agricultural practices.
Survey methods included: structured and semi structured interviews; key informant interviews; direct observations and reviewing of reports and documents.
The study found that: the level of understanding on climate smart, small-scale agriculture is low amongst most stakeholders; and few farmers in the project villages have adopted climate smart agricultural techniques.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA) in Rest of Project Area, Maharashtra, 2015
This report focuses on the baseline survey conducted in rest of project area districts to measure the situation at the beginning of the project and establish base values for Monitoring & Evaluation for the project. As per the ToR, baseline survey was conducted in all the 7 districts in the Rest of Project area as per the approved sampling methodology.
The data captured during baseline survey will be compared with the mid-term and end-term surveys to establish the impact of the project. This is reported through indicators developed as part of the results chain and monitoring plan. In order to have better measurement of impacts, “Double Difference Approach” will be used which is a combination of with and without and before and after.
Methodology:
All the 7 districts were included for sample selection for the baseline survey. For the selection of project clusters, list of clusters (with overall climate vulnerability index) was obtained from the PMU and was sorted by district and taluk and a systematic random sample of required number of clusters from each district was drawn. The total number of project clusters selected was 208. PMU also supplied the list of control clusters with overall climate vulnerability index. As per the ToR, it was required to select the control clusters that are comparable to the selected project clusters in terms of overall climate vulnerability index and 208 matching control clusters were selected.
A random sample of 2 villages per cluster from the sampled project clusters and 1 village per cluster from the sampled control clusters, was made. Thus, total 208×2=416 project villages and 208×1=208 control villages were selected, with a total sample of 416+208=624 villages for the baseline survey. In each village, 5 Households (HHs) were surveyed both in project and control villages as per the ToR. During village selection, it was found that 25 project clusters had only one village and thus in these villages 10 households have been covered as per the approved methodology.
The study tools for the baseline survey included a household questionnaire using Computer- Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) application in bi-lingual format (English & Marathi). A dashboard was created for real time monitoring and to ensure completeness and quality during the survey.
Training was given to the field team for conducting baseline survey. Along with the HH survey, FGDs were conducted to capture qualitative information. Six separate checklists were utilized: Farmers (Landless, Small & Marginal, Large), FPCs, SHGs & Gram Panchayat. The finalized and translated Marathi FGDs checklists were carried in the villages along with the HH survey questionnaire.
Baseline Study for climate proofing gains in local development in rural areas of KBK region of Odisha, India, 2019
The objective of the study was to establish a baseline for the Climate Proofing Project of SRADHA against which project performance was measured, reported and verified for the project period.
The data collected through the baseline survey was used in designing of key messages for the various targeted groups. The baseline specifically provided information on core indicators agreed on the project design/log frame; general awareness and perceptions on food security, water and climate change; and establish levels of community participation in KBK districts.
Baseline Study on Existing Sustainable Practices, Models and Technologies used in agriculture by indigenous small holder farmers in KBK region of Odisha
The objective of this baseline study is to gather information, from seven target districts f KBK region, on existing sustainable agricultural practices including those, which traditionally fall outside of the purview of respective government agriculture extension system. SRADHA is seeking to facilitate and promote the use of some of these tried-and-tested methods. The project’s genesis stems from several workshops and meetings wherein the Organization was asked to capture the existing practices, technologies and models of sustainability; and make them available to the wider agricultural community in the region.
The goal of the survey was to collate information on sustainable agricultural practices adopted by indigenous farmers at the community level
Promoting resilience through climate‐smart agricultural practices and interventions for women farmers in Odisha, 2016
Our research suggests that agricultural projects through climate smart interventions increases agricultural productivity and mitigate climate change impacts.
Interventions:
- Knowledge dissemination approaches such as social networking and peer learning (e.g., local champions), information and communication technologies (e.g., telephone, SMS, radio, television), group and individual training and demonstration (e.g., extension, demonstration plots, field days and schools).
- Financial approaches include credit and subsidies (e.g., cash transfers, vouchers, matching grants), insurance against loss and advice on risk management.
- Institutional arrangements include collectivization (e.g., farmer cooperatives and federations), contract farming, land titling, and community infrastructure (e.g., water harvesting structures and check dams for irrigation).
- Interventions to promote participation in natural resource management committees and gender‐responsive planning and budgeting.
- Behaviour and social change communication influences shifts in gender norms and values in agriculture and natural resources management.
Objectives:
- To test the effectiveness of interventions to promote climate smart agriculture to enhance agricultural outcomes and resilience of small holder women farmers.
- To examine causal pathway from access to interventions to promote climate smart agriculture for empowering women so that they can use climate smart technology.
Outcomes:
- Knowledge sharing, agency improvement, resource access and decision making
Method:
A Quasi‐experimental counterfactual approach was used to address evidence of effects in which the researchers used a control or comparison group and in which Participants are randomly assigned to intervention groups (using a process of random allocation, such as a random number generation).
Type of Participants:
Eligible participants were women and men farmers engaged in agriculture and natural resources management when the intervention was conducted.
Assessment of the Impact of Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices on the Livelihood of Smallholder Millet Farmers in India, 2016
Method:
- This study adopts a survey design and the concept of climate smart agriculture to constitute the conceptual framework. A multi-method research strategy which included qualitative and quantitative research approach for data collection and analyses was adopted in a bid to complement the validity and reliability of the study’s results.
- Stratified random sampling technique was employed in carrying out the survey. Both primary and secondary data was used with 390 respondent sampled.
- The study employed structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview as the main instruments of the survey.
Methods of Data Analyses
- Data processing and analysis was done by compiling information collected using different data collection methods. Therefore, both numeric and non-numeric data analysis software was used, depending on the type of data collected.
- The qualitative data from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations was coded and analyzed using the Qualitative Data Analysis software (MAXQDA) version10 and it was presented in the form of descriptions (texts, photos, tables) and quotes.
- Quantitative data from questionnaire was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 20.
- Descriptive statistics was used to generate frequencies and percentages. Cross-tabulation was also be made, particularly for the multiple response questions. This allowed comparison of different study parameters among villages in the district.
Findings:
Findings indicate that there is significant variation between climate smart agricultural practices and the millet production on the one hand, and geographical location of the millet farmers is significantly influenced by millet production on the other.
Effect of climate change on sugarcane crop: A review, 2019
Sugarcane is a C4 agro-industrial crop cultivated broadly in two distinct agro-climatic regions known as tropical and sub-tropical in the world. It is a long duration crop and requires 10-15 and even 18 months to mature, depending upon the geographical condition. There are several factors which effect the sugarcane growth and development. Out of these factors, climate change is one which badly affects the crop. Climate change may influence the sugarcane crop in its favour or create stress condition. Among several climatic factors, rainfall and temperature is the major and comes under the most crucial weather parameters of sugarcane for its productivity.
The increase in temperature and CO2 is causing global warming and also leads to deficit in rainfall resulting decline in crop production. Therefore assessing the effect of climate change and its impact on crop growth is very important to harvest the maximum potential yield.
Findings:
The requirement of temperature, rainfall, evaporation, sunshine, and relative humidity for different phases of sugarcane growth is different. Therefore assessing the effect of climate change and its impact on crop growth is very important to harvest the maximum yield.
Rainfall and temperature are the most crucial weather parameters of sugarcane that governs its productivity. It has been observed that decline in rainfall affects the most critical growth stage of sugarcane and so also increase in temperature during the cane elongation phase and during the ripening phase.
Future Research:
Soil fertility status, breeding for stress tolerance varieties, breeding for low input varieties, disease, and pest scenario would make an important future research priority under changing climate scenario.
Several studies clearly indicated that sugarcane production will directly or indirectly be affected by changes in climate conditions. Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, especially drought is first and foremost need to address. In the line, the most negative effects of climate change on sugarcane production may be the greenhouse gases if the emissions still remain high. It is well established that sugarcane is a hardy crop and have potential to recover from minor stresses.
Irregular distribution of rainfall may cause to flood or drought conditions, which have negative impact on sugarcane production. The sugar production in India was decreased by 2 million tonnes for the year of 2015-16 due to poor rainfall. The formative and elongation phases of sugarcane growth have been identified as a critical water demand period. Therefore, water scarcity during these phases reduces the yield of crop up to any extent and productivity gets affected.
Conservation Agriculture for Climate Resilient Farming: A Training Manual, 2018
Overview of Conservation Agriculture; Impact of Conservation Agriculture on mitigating the adverse effect of Climate Change; Conservation Agriculture: A potential approach for carbon sequestration and climate resilient farming; Enhancing water productivity through use of drip irrigation; Tools and Implement for Conservation Agriculture; Mechanization: An important tool for drudgery reduction in Conservation Agriculture; Farmers Perception in Adoption of Conservation Agriculture; Insect Pest and Disease Management in Conservation Agriculture; Water budgeting for climate resilient cropping; Impact of Conservation Agriculture on Soil Physical Properties; Role of conservation agricultural in horticultural crops; Socio-economic impact of conservation agriculture; Soil and Residue Management in Conservation Agriculture; Use of Solar energy in agriculture; Crop diversification for climate resilient farming and food security; Sustainable intensification through conservation agriculture-based agronomic management in Indian agriculture; Strategies for diffusion of Conservation Agriculture Technologies
Quasi Experimental/ RCT Research
We have successfully implemented the following works as well where baseline and end line surveys were conducted to assess the change after interventions:
Building Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment through micro-enterprise: Experimental Assessment of the Women’s Income Generating Activities through SHGs in KBK region of India, 2012-15
A randomized trial of agriculture–nutrition intervention to improve children’s diet and growth in KBK Districts. 2008-2010
Mitigating Gender-Based Violence against ASM Women in India through interventions of Community Savings and Credit Groups, Gender Dialogue Groups: A randomized control trial2013-16A Rigorous Evaluation of Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture (TEWA) in Odisha, India, DANIDA & Govt of Odisha.