Short description of the best practice

In the case of desertification, there is a need for a permanent knowledge centre (RKC) which could provide training and demonstration, allow access to specialized knowledge and provide assistance to make contact with government agencies, voluntary bodies and individuals in the development field.|

Location

Halvad, Surendranagar District, Gujarat|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

1.0

Estimated population living in the location:

26000.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Average elevation of 46 metres. The land is largely flat with marginal contours
Halvad is part of the arid and semi arid climatic region of Gujarat. It falls in agro climatic zone VI comprising of North Saurashtra, Little Rann of Kutch and Arid Zone|
Geologically, two parts - one with and the other without sand stone. Being pervious and porous sandstone is the storehouse of fossilized ground water. The area closer to the Rann has alternating sub surface layers of sand and clay. |

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Agricultural land is distributed unevenly, as is the case in most parts of the country.|
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Salt Farming|
Differs drastically across caste and class

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

Consensus evolved during the National Consultation process.

Main problems addressed by the best practice

The RKC initiated and encouraged mixed cropping, increased crop diversity specifically to tackle increasing land degradation caused by large-scale mono culture farming. |Additionally the RKC introduced alternative composting practices and soil moisture conservation practices, which will assist in improving soil condition. |Supporting by multiple methods milk farming to increase biomass and reuse of bio mass as farmyard manure  

Specify the objectives of the best practice

To share knowledge and information towards empowerment of the community and stakeholders for making the right choices for sustainable development such as issues associated with land use and degradation|To provide support for developing a symbiotic relationship between protected area of this desert fragile ecosystem and local community |To serve as a node for networking and information sharing for the various stakeholders especially the less socio-economically less privileged|To provide extensive Human and Institutional support to local Institutions, governance structures and Common Interest Groups of the area

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Developing RKC as a Knowledge Hub: The next step is the wherein the RKC is an operating space which truly delivers and provides accessible and easily understood information.
Demonstrations on desertification and climate change adaptation. Networking with NGOs and government bodies through RKC system towards information exchange and co-operation.
The creation of a RKC in the region would which serves the objective of sharing knowledge with those who lack access to the same|Gradual organizations of the community to adapt to idea of a local source of technically sound unbiased information|Many organizations and their operation and management was encouraged to organize and lead the community towards internally driven and need based development. |The foundation of “farmer field schools” and gradually developing among them an attitude for advancing learning of agriculture related areas was a start point|Formations of a Federation of Self Help Groups for establishing saving credit systems and increase the members loan worthiness. |generating alternative livelihood opportunities in reference to the local economy and bio diversity and Micro Enterprise and activities which can assist in the process of socio-economic advance. This methods of community mobilization motive learning and co-operation.

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Centre for Environment Education|Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad-380 054 India

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

The initiative and development of the RKC model is an outcome of need based analysis of the area and consultation with experts and local persons.

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Local initiative
• Programme/project-based initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Farmer Field Schools|Federation of Self Help Groups|Village level community and Teacher committees

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

The RKC is a nodal space for interaction and interchange between various community groups and individuals. By their participation, involvement and constant utilization of the RKC they are themselves evolving its value and maintenance to their lives. |

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

By means of what?

• Consultation
• Participatory approaches

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

Minority groups such as women and lower of backward castes persons are involved at many levels and incorporated specifically into all programme. The outcome has been that there has been a growing involvement of these groups in RKC activities.
There is now an increase in the willingness among the community to invest and consider environmentally friendly solutions in their livelihood activities. Eg. Certain Agarya community members agreed to use and install wind generated energy pump instead of diesel pumps to in salt farming process.
Resource literacy of the local persons with regard to water, salinity, desertification, usage of pesticides has seen a considerable increase over the time span of the formation of the RKC. |
The adopting of time tested practices such as drip irrigation, composting, reuse of agricultural waste, introduction of bio pesticides, rain roof water harvesting etc in the villages surrounding the RKC as an outcome of interactions and RKC interventions is a direct measure of on site impacts. |
Troubleshooting: The RKC has become now a nodal centre of knowledge for livelihood related problem solving issues. The RKC is playing a consultative role on multiple areas to the local community in tackling locale issues personally
In terms of production or process oriented towards positive impacts in tackling soil degradation and sustainable agriculture many small process have been introduced or minor alterations in older methods of farming etc have been added.
A case study of this can be seen in the gradual empowerment of the Agarya community of the region (salt Pan workers) They are now more aware of their rights as labor and are organizing towards earning fair wages and better work conditions.

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

Other NGO’s, CBO’s and individuals who do not belong to the target group or not specifically within the region have begun to come to the RKC to utilize the facilities and resources to understand environmental issues and other issues.|
2. The RKC has become a nodal space for discussion on multiple cross cutting issues

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

Climate change adaptation in a semi arid region would require a clear understanding of the increasing onslaught of desert like conditions, reducing or uneven rain patterns and water shortages and relation water problems. Adaptation to these have been firmly professed by the RKC from the start. |
The RKC Model empowers and provides a nodal knowledge base to support local community organizations as also individuals. These inputs are with regards to the suitable development practices that could be incorporated into livelihood activities.

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Long-term (10 years) physical presence at the grassroot level with multi disciplinary dedicated field staff
Organized and empowered people’s institutions- Profound and sound understand of the region is critical to the technology of RKC being successful
Think globally and act locally approach to working which incorporates international notions and contextualized for local space

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

At which level?

• Local
• Sub-national

Related to human resources

Developing a cadre of community entrepreneurs is the most effective and sustainable approach for human resource development. While developing “human resources” the principles and skills or adult learning should be understood and underlined. | The notion of acceptance and adoption of sustainable practices within community only if this construct can be understood and incorporated|The team within the RKC needs to be multi disciplinary to multi task and take on different approaches and arenas for best practice

Related to financial aspects

Financial systems and procedures should be transparent |Cost Benefit analysis on agriculture or other livelihood related purchases are often not done. This is often to the detriment of the persons and his livelihood. Only critical awareness and external sound knowledge systems will be able to address this.|Formal financial institutions can be extremely insensitive and irresponsive to the local conditions and the issues that are under scrutiny

Related to technical aspects

People in stressed ecosystems areas are in general more enthusiastic to innovate and create something from what they have there. If provisions are made to support, encourage and allow for this entrepreneur mindset to develop alot can be achieved which is need and local specific|Much accepted and sound technologies for adaptation to the region is often not adopted. The demarcation can be made that research only underlines the importance of necessary conditions such as requirements and finance.|3. Research is however, unable to perceive “necessary sufficient conditions” which may involve local socio- economic issues, cultural practices etc which disconnect and disallow the adoption of the technology. This must be addressed when the proposal for new technology is considered