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Research and Knowledge
Management

Knowledge Creation and Dissemination

Learning from the pool of experience generated in
the field by BRLF partners

The Research and Knowledge Management vertical has worked to develop a wealth of knowledge on the issues of Adivasi’s lives and livelihoods. India has the second-largest Adivasi population in the world (largest for a country). The majority of the Adivasi communities (81 percent) live in Central India, while the rest live in the north-eastern part of the country. This vertical has been working closely with the government and non-government stakeholders to analyse the issues and challenges of Adivasi communities. It has generated original research on the current status of Adivasi communities in terms of various indicators of human development; studies the impact of government programs and programs on the socio-economic marginalisation of Adivasi communities; studies the impact of BRLF partnerships established with state government and CSOs; and development of a knowledge hub that could be accessed by academic, CSOs, and government to develop an understanding of Adivasis.

The main objective of the program is to increase the reach of government welfare schemes and to address challenges in sectors such as education, health, nutrition and innovation in tribal areas, in order to ensure an integrated and focused approach to the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes population in a coordinated and planned manner. Keeping in mind our core competence in the field of CSO facilitation and screening, MoTA has appointed BRLF to carry out a rigorous screening process for shortlisting proposals from different parts of the country on various themes such as education, health and innovation.

Recent Research

The Research and Knowledge Vertical of BRLF received grant support from the Statistics and Documents Division of the MoTA to conduct an evaluation study of the scheme. Under this grant, we will explore the processes of the scheme and its impact on the state, VOs/NGOs and community capacities for addressing the health and educational needs of the Scheduled Tribes.

BRLF achieves its key outcomes through strategic engagement with CSOs. We engage actively with CSOs to reduce gaps in program outlays and outcomes through strengthening of democratic institutions of governance at the grassroots, improving quality of implementation of programmes, and scaling up successful models of interventions.

CSOs often struggle to find sufficient and long-term support for significant budget components like HR and operations which directly influence the efficiency and impact the quality of livelihood interventions. Our grant support and capacity building initiatives are geared to help them find opportunities to scale and integrate with large-scale government interventions.

BRLF also enables institutional partnerships between CSOs and state governments to help them leverage programmatic resources available for national and state level programmes and schemes for rural development and livelihoods.           

As of March 2021, BRLF has committed R. 113.39 Cr (USD) toward CSO grants. Partners have leveraged a cumulative total of INR.2035.01 Cr. (USD) from government schemes and raised co-finance of R. 354.75 Cr (USD) from multiple donors. 

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Performance of agriculture in Autonomous Council in Sixth Schedule areas: A case study on the Bodoland Territorial Council

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Adaptation of Social Policies for Indigenous Communities in India Case Studies from Odisha and Chhattisgarh

Central India is home to the majority of the Adivasi communities; the region is covered by considerable forests with vast deposits of mineral resources. But the extent of deprivation faced by the Adivasis living in the region is much higher than those living in the northeast and other social groups (scheduled caste, other backward classes, and general population). The region has also experienced growing discontent and endless violence among some of India’s poorest people, including the Adivasi groups. To end the cycle of discontent and address the socio-economic marginalisation of people in the region, including Adivasis, CSOs have begun to play a crucial role. Through funding from various government welfare programmes, CSOs have worked with Adivasi and other marginalised communities to introduce a series of interventions that would address the socio-economic vulnerabilities of minority groups, including Adivasis. The paper plans to examine the development of national policies, address the status of Adivasis in post-independent India, and how the role of CSOs has helped improve the overall delivery system of such programs and policies. The research team conducts two in-depth case studies from the BRLF’s project areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh to investigate how the increasing involvement of CSOs in the implementation of policies or programmes affects the lives and livelihoods of Adivasi communities in the respective states. The paper will feature as a chapter for the forthcoming edited volume, “Social Work Practice with Indigenous People: A Global South Perspective,” published by Springer Publication in 2022.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
The Tribal Development Report

The Tribal Development Report is expected to be published by Routledge and CRC Press (July, 2022) in two volumes. The first volume focuses on the status of Adivasis communities in central India with respect to livelihoods, agriculture, natural resources, economy and migration. Written by noted academics, thematic experts and activists. The second volume will shed light on the status of Adivasi communities in terms of governance, human development, gender, health, education, art and culture. Both the volumes are edited by Dr Mihir Shah and P.S. Vijay Shankar.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
“One of the 50 most Inspiring Stories of change in Rural Livelihoods: APC Project of Odisha” by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

The research vertical was invited by the UNWFP and the NIDM to document successful interventions that address concerns about food security and climate change. Accordingly, the research team decided to present the Odisha Agriculture Cluster (APC) programme.  Indian agriculture is symptomatic of the dominance of rain-fed agriculture, low productivity, growing debt traps, food and nutritional insecurity. To address these problems, the APC programme was set up to create sustainable livelihoods for the Adivasi communities of western Odisha. More specifically, these FPOs are created to strengthen land consolidation among marginal farmers and at the same time integrate them into an agricultural value chain. The FPOs are designed to strengthen land consolidation among marginal farmers while integrating them into an agricultural value chain. 

 

The APC programme of Odisha is intended to stimulate growth in the agricultural sector by sustaining a double income and combating the food insecurity of 100,000 marginal and small farmers in the state’s highlands, which have become vulnerable to climate change in recent years. Under the APC programme, the Producer Groups (PG) and Producer Companies (PC) are created by CSOs, but the state government handles the overall implementation of the programme. The program has the twin aim of ensuring food security and improving agricultural income for small marginal farmers and their families. Research team submitted a paper containing necessary information about the project. Post review, the APC Project was selected as one of the 50 inspiring projects implemented by Civil Societies to alleviate poverty in the face of nutritional security and Climate Change.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Tribal Development Department of Maharashtra: Baseline Study

In 2021, BRLF, Shabari Adivasi Vitta Va Vikas Mahamandal Maryadit, Nasik (a representative of the Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra) and the CSOs entered a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) for implementing a project titled, “High impact livelihoods project enhancement”. 

 

The project will focus on four important aspects: water or soil conservation, increase in agricultural productivity and value addition in Non-forested Forest Production (NTFP) and livestock management for 15,000 tribal populations. 

 

To assess the effectiveness of project interventions, we start with a baseline survey that will help us identify, articulate and document the existing socio-economic conditions of Adivasi and marginalised households, the status of agriculture and livestock, knowledge and perception of CSO engagement, SHG, and MGNREGA. 

 

The baseline survey questions are designed by the BRLF Research and Knowledge Management vertical, but the survey was executed by an external agency, AFC India Limited. The survey agency was selected through competitive bids based on the technical and financial proposals. The questions are written in English and then translated to Marathi by a survey agency. The data is collected using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) tablets with a feature of GPS location. To test the questionnaire, the enumerators carried out the necessary pilot study with respondents from similar socio-economic demography. The sample survey was conducted with a sample of 1,055 (instead of the suggested sample of 1000) households from 168 villages from six blocks in five districts in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The baseline survey is quantitative by nature, with households selected from across all the villages from the five blocks using systematic random sampling. At present, the survey has been completed and the final report has been shared with government stakeholders.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Ethnography Research Workshop with stakeholders in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, MP & Chhattisgarh

Under the leadership of Prof G.N. Devy, the Rights and Entitlement Committee proposed a research project, which will build a repository of knowledge on Adivasis lives and livelihoods (e.g., Adivasi daily lives, geographical location, inter and intra community relationship, community history, myth, and heroes, migration, occupation, clothing, laws and rules of asset ownership, language, culture, structure of society, value system, literature and folk-lores, gender perceptions and perceptions towards climate change). The project is led by young Adivasis, trained by a group of mentors (experts on Adivasi studies) to conduct research and write about their own lives and communities. In the first phase, the research vertical has created a comprehensive list of all the Adivasi communities sorted by state, based on primary and secondary research. This was followed by two in-person (Kolkata and Odisha) and two on-line workshops (Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh), which include the research vertical, BRLF President (Prof G.N. Devy), CEO (Pramathesh Ambasta), and some members of the Rights and Entitlement Committee. The workshops were facilitated by the BRLF research team, but the discussions were conducted by members of various Adivasi communities to discuss various aspects of their lives and livelihoods. This also helped the researchers finalise the key issues to be investigated as part of the study.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Database Building Exercise and compendium of laws and legislations impacting Scheduled Tribes

The research vertical engaged six interns from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU, Bengaluru) for six weeks to carry out two projects. The first project involved the creation of a compendium of legal cases, starting with the latest cases, which involve the Adivasis as a key stakeholder at various levels. In addition, one of the interns also helped to create a list of all key legislations from colonial to recent years, which has a direct impact on Adivasi’s lives and livelihoods. The second project involved the creation of a database of all these districts in India, with an Adivasi population of at least 10 percent. The collection of data was carried out by reviewing secondary data from various government sources. The data collected includes demography, health status, education and socio-economic status for the selected districts. The interns were guided, helped and mentored by the members of the research vertical, so that the tasks could be completed in the allocated time. The database and compendium are ongoing work and more data is being added to existing documents.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Civil society-State-Community Partnership for Governance Reform and Livelihoods in Tribal Central India: A Study of BRLF’s Ushar Mukti Program of West Bengal

Ushar Mukti is a unique initiative of CSO-Government collaboration in the state and supported by the BRLF, to create sustainable livelihoods for the tribal, women and other vulnerable groups in the selected blocks through appropriate land and water treatment measures undertaken on a watershed basis by leveraging funds from the MGNREGA. Herein, the MGNREGA fund will be utilised for actual asset creation in the field. 

 

The project aims to develop 1.2 million hectares in the catchements to rejuvenate seven decaying rivers, including Ajay, Mayurakshi, Damodar, Darakeshwari, Kansabati, Shilabati, and Swarnamukhi and their tributaries through focussed interventions in water conservation and harvesting. The interventions also aim at improving the productivity of land by soil and water conservation measures, which would benefit 500,000 households, especially tribal households. Currently, there is reason to believe that the partnership between state and civil society is offering rich dividends for state, civil society, and local communities.

 

The MoTA designated BRLF as one of the Centres of Excellence (CoE) and supported the study to gain insights from this large partnership between civil society and the state.

Exploring Ushar Mukti and its impact on state, CSO and community capacities for addressing livelihood issues pertaining to tribals and other marginalised groups

  • What are the different institutional mechanisms through which the state, CSO and communities interact to operationalise Ushar Mukti?
  • How has the involvement of CSOs affected the capacity of local governance institutions for effective delivery of MGNREGA for tribals and women?
  • How has Ushar Mukti impacted the opportunities for tribal and women to demand work under MGNREGA?
  • What is the community perception of quality and utility of assets created under Ushar Mukti?

 

The study applied a mixed methods approach and used both qualitative and quantitative data to answer our research questions. In this context, to address the community perception of Usharmukti program and CSO involvement, the research team conducted household surveys within the catchment area of all completed assets at the chosen study sites and quantitatively assess the differences across communities in Ushar Mukti and non-Ushar Mukti blocks of their perception of asset quality and utility. Multiple rounds of in-depth interviews were conducted with Pradan and the six other CSOs responsible for implementation of the project across four districts of western West Bengal. To understand the Ushar Mukti project cycle, key informant interviews (KII) with government officials at various levels, including the Secretary, Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal were also conducted. The team also looked at secondary literature comprising all government orders, memos, and minutes of the review meetings conducted with different levels of governments.

 

The stakeholder interactions within Ushar Mukti are more complicated than originally planned. The current form of engagement between the stakeholders has evolved to account for the bureaucratic delays prone to government programs. BRLF, in addition to acting as the integrator and the catalyst in the program lifecycle, has worked with the state government beyond political advocacy, including monitoring of implementation on the ground. To close the information gap between the CSOs and the district administration, BRLF has placed a District Liaison Officer (DLO) in the DM office. The initial (and in some cases continued) reluctance of panchayats to participate actively in the project necessitates layers of communication that otherwise may not be needed. The community that was earlier apprehensive of MGNREGA and looked at it primarily as a source of wage income, has also become more involved and is appreciating the potential towards the creation of sustainable assets. Significant progress has been made, especially when it comes to changing how MGNREGA is viewed and understood in the community. 

 

Our results from the survey show that the majority of assets being built are primarily around water management and most respondents in project areas see a marked improvement in the quality of such assets. There has also been an increase in the interaction of the community with their panchayat representatives, the first step towards increasing accountability. However, in most cases the differences are not substantial compared with a non-Usharmukti block. Given that the program is in tribal regions, there is a significant amount of work that involves work on lands under the forest department and involves developing tree cover. The program has led to the convergence of other line departments such as forest and horticulture.

 

The major challenge in the execution of the Usharmukti program has been the scarcity of MGNREGA funds. The program is also plagued by problems of insufficient funding due to the failure of the central government to meet the budgetary needs of the MGNREGA by the state. In addition, bureaucratic processes coupled with the variation of commitment to the program at the panchayat level, slow down the progress. The initiative right from the early stages had been championed at the state level and that same commitment has not percolated to the lower bureaucracy. Another key challenge that emerged was the premium imposed on MGNREGA front-line officials to achieve a very high average working day per active work card. Some GPs under Ushar Mukti had a wide range of work on the watershed model, but GPs focused mainly on work under the “land development” category since that allowed for quick generation of person days, although it was primarily a redundant work when it came to utility.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Evaluation Study of the Scheme, “Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.”

The Grant-in-Aid Scheme was launched by the Ministry on April 1, 2008, aiming at enhancing the reach of welfare schemes of Government and fill the gaps in services (for e.g., education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, and social security) in service deficient tribal areas. Under the scheme,100% grant support is sanctioned for three-years to VOs/NGOs subject to prescribed financial norms and terms and conditions as stipulated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Consequently, the Research and Knowledge Vertical of BRLF received grant support from the Statistics and Documents Division of the Ministry of Tribal Affair to conduct an Evaluation Study of the Scheme, “Grant-in-Aid to voluntary organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.” This grant allows Research Vertical to explore the processes of the scheme and its impact on state, VOs/NGOs and community capacities for addressing the health and educational needs of the Scheduled Tribes.

 

The research team relied on a Mixed Method Approach to answer the research questions relating to the implementation of the Scheme and the impact of the Scheme for development and welfare of tribal people, and the key policy recommendations include:

 

  • The ministry allocates less than 2% of its cumulative budget to the grant program to finance education, health and innovation projects aimed at the socio-economic development of the country’s tribal communities. The research vertical proposes that the budget for the grant system be revised – 5% of the cumulative budget is earmarked for funding NGOs / VOs, which would result in a three-fold increase in the budget allocation for financing various interventions. By increasing the grants, NGOs / VOs could have better access to qualified staff and improve the infrastructure that enables tribal beneficiaries to receive high-quality education and improve health outcomes.
  • Insufficient knowledge of how to mobilise institutional funds from the NGOs / VOs managing the projects has led to an over-reliance on MoTA funding. The research vertical recommends that the ministry develop the capacity of existing organisations to identify funding opportunities within state or CSR funding, to write and submit funding applications that reduce their dependence on funding from the ministry.
  • As delays in the allocation of funds have been identified as a key implementation issue for the program, BRLF recommended that the ministry consider a similar program from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E). Under MoSJ&E’s revised grant program, it would release an advance of 75% as a first instalment for its ongoing projects by 30 June. The remaining instalments were received together with the audit report by 30 September, following recommendations from the state government. In the case of MoTA, a similar revision is recommended for the disbursement of grants, as opposed to the reimbursement mode for grant disbursal practised by the MoTA.
  • The ministry conducts biannual workshops with mandatory attendance requirements, which will enable all NGO/VOs to become familiar with use of the portal. In addition, the dedicated communication hotline has played a crucial role in answering technical questions for NGO/VOs and it is recommended it be better staffed to ensure a timely response to the NGO/VOs’ questions.
  • To increase the transparency, accountability and efficiency of the process, the ministry may appoint an independent agency to assist the MoTA in project selection and to conduct external reviews to evaluate the project results.

Majority of the recommendations have been adopted by the MoTA, and the Scheme, “Grant-in-Aid to voluntary organisations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes”, has been accordingly revised. The evaluation document has been extensively discussed and referenced by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
High Impact Livelihoods Improvement Project: Baseline Study

On September 29, 2020, BRLF entered into an MoU with Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), founded in 1993, is a 100% subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group Company Hindalco. The project aims at doubling the income of 15,000 small and marginal farmers residing in Kashipur block of Rayagada and Th. Rampur block of Kalahandi district. The integrated livelihood development project focuses on three sectors: agriculture, water, and livestock.

To assess the effectiveness of the project, that is, the economic development of 15,000 socio- economically vulnerable households in the backward blocks of Kashipur in Rayagada and T. Rampur in the Kalahandi district of Odisha, an impact assessment, needs to be carried out. Consequently, a baseline survey was launched with 1,500 respondents in two blocks- Kashipur and Th. Rampur. Women respondents were prioritised in the survey.

 

The baseline report captures the following information:

  • Gender, age, marital status, head of household (male/female), size of household, religion, social group, dwelling type, education, source of drinking water, cooking fuel, toilet type, migration status, income, occupation, access to PDS, women’s involvement, CBO engagement, access to credit, market access, household consumption.
  • Status of agriculture, husbandry, and kitchen garden.
  • Landholding size, land ownership, resources owned, sources of irrigation, crops grown (kharif/rabi), vegetables grown (kharif/rabi), field preparation(number of ploughing/fertilisers used), costs associated with farming. 
  • Livestock rearing
  • NTFP/MFP
  • Knowledge and perception of CSO engagement 
  • Knowledge and perception towards MGNREGA

This is a working paper on the status of agriculture in Bodoland. The Bodoland Territorial Region is an autonomous region in Assam. A high agricultural productivity characterises Bodoland for many crops. Accordingly, the authors analyse agricultural productivity by looking at the latest data on inputs (e.g. land, water, fertiliser, pest control, agricultural machinery, finance and labour) and outputs (types of crops, coverage and output). The role of agriculture is important for the community and is fully connected with its culture and economy. The paper also provides a series of recommendations for improving the agriculture in the region.

  • Bodoland is one of the areas in Assam with high agricultural productivity for many crops. But most of the area under crops (around 60 percent) is used for rice production. So, there is potential for increasing their production by increasing the area under other crops. Additionally, we can say that, by increasing the area under some other crops which enjoy good productivity and simultaneously increasing the productivity of some other crops, farmers in Bodoland can aspire to increase their income.
  • Bodoland’s agriculture is mostly rainfall-dependent. 29 percent of Bodoland’s GCA is irrigated. Although that is higher than the state average, it is far below the average irrigation coverage in the country. Also, most of it is done through Surface Irrigation and hence, the area does not have the problem of a declining water table. Which means, water-intensive crops can be produced here without being too concerned about sustainability. Beyond rice, it could target sugarcane production given there is a proper processing system for the crop. 
  • Per hectare fertiliser consumption is low in Bodoland. Productivity of some crops could be increased by applying more fertilisers in a balanced way with proper irrigation systems in place so that the outcome of agricultural activities can be less dependent on the erratic nature of rainfall, especially in these times of climate change.
Statistics and Documentation

BRLF has created a section for meeting the data needs of audiences across a wide spectrum of stakeholders including international agencies, Central and State Governments, CSOs, researchers working on issues of sustainable and tribal development, and general citizens. The section houses a host of primary and secondary data that gets updated regularly. The themes covered by this section- Rural Banking, Demography, Health, Housing, Income, Socio-Economic deprivation, Land, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Education, Arts and Crafts.

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