1.2 Detalhes do contato das pessoas capacitadas e instituições envolvidas na avaliação e documentação da abordagem

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) - Índia

1.3 Condições em relação ao uso da informação documentada através de WOCAT

Quando os dados foram compilados (no campo)?

02/09/2025

O/a compilador/a e a(s) pessoa(s) capacitada(s) aceitam as condições relativas ao uso de dados documentados através da WOCAT:

Sim

2.1 Descrição curta da abordagem

The Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) with Farmer Collective (henceforth Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)) approach strengthens farmers’ resilience to climate change by integrating sustainable water- and land management, biodiversity enhancement and resources governance within farmers’ collectives. Implemented in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra and Telangana, the approach combines capacity building, improving soil health, through women-led green business aiming at enabling eco-sensitive and economically viable FPOs.

2.2 Descrição detalhada da abordagem

Descrição detalhada da abordagem:

The approach focused on introducing Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) -compliant agricultural and natural resource management practices through farmers' collectives to manage agro-ecology and agro-business.
EbA uses existing biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall climate change adaptation strategy to help adapting to the adverse effects of climate change (United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 2009). Important pillars are:

•Enhancing Adaptive Capacities of Communities,
•Improving Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity, and
•Promoting Participatory Governance

The approach was piloted in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra and Telangana States wherein human induced land degradation is taking place. The EbA approach through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) aims to strengthen the adaptive capacities of small and marginal farmers and promotes the sustainable management of land, water, and crop-diversity while improving livelihoods and institutional capacities of FPOs.
In Maharashtra, two FPO villages (Goshegaon and Deulgaon Kaman) implemented climate-resilient agriculture, organic inputs, and multilayer farming demonstrations. In Telangana, one FPO (Jeevandhara Mutually Aided Cooperative Society) adopted organic and water-efficient farming practices.

Prior to implementing this approach, various tools and methodologies were adopted to understand the baseline condition of the project locations. The tools include:
•Community-Driven Vulnerability Assessments (CoDriVE)
•Community-Driven Visual Integrator (CDVI) for participatory resource mapping and;
•Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) to help farmers collective understand the future scenario of land and water resources and the action needed to reduce resulting vulnerabilities.
This was done with the continuous involvement of village level institutions like Gram Panchayats (Councils) , EbA-Committees and FPOs to strengthen the governance of land and water resources. The assessment of Land Surface Temperature in both locations helped understand that increasing land surface temperature contributes to degrading soil and biodiversity in the area. This observation helped FPOs in planning their EbA interventions.
Such participatory tools helped identify ecological and social risks, prioritize actions, and co-develop site-specific adaptation interventions. Project interventions included:
•water budgeting
•reducing water intensive crops and monocropping
•promoting organic and bio-input production through green business activities (vermicomposting and 10-drum composting to improve soil health)
•multi-layer farming (at school and women leaded household) to improve food and nutritional security
•livestock integration and;
•establishment of green businesses operated by women farmers group to promote local organic input availability.

In their endeavour to implement EbA, farmers were provided with crop, weather, market, and livestock advisories through the ‘FarmPrecise’ application developed by WOTR.
The process followed a structured multi-step implementation pathway starting from:
•village selection
•vulnerability analysis
•FPO engagement
•Gram Panchayat resolution
•EbA committee formation at village level ensuring inclusive representation of smallholders, women, and marginalized groups
•training and exposure visits were conducted for FPO directors and members to enhance understanding of climate change, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity management.
•on-ground implementation and;
•capacity building
The approach effectively mobilized directors and members of farmers collectives, local governance institutions, local government officials and private sector partners. Convergence with government schemes like the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), the Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)) enhanced resource efficiency and sustainability.
Overall, the EbA with FPOs approach demonstrated that farmers’ collectives can act as eco-governance entities by combining agribusiness operations with sustainable ecosystem management. It built local capacities, promoted gender equity, strengthened institutions, and showcased the potential of FPOs as key actors in advancing climate-resilient, ecosystem-based rural development.

2.3 Fotos da abordagem

2.5 País/região/locais onde a abordagem foi aplicada

2.6 Datas de início e término da abordagem

2.7 Tipo de abordagem

• Baseado em projeto/programa

2.8 Principais metas/objetivos da abordagem

To enhance the adaptive capacity of farmers’ collectives (FPOs) to manage climate risks and natural resources sustainably using the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach, promoting ecologically sensitive and economically viable agriculture in semi-arid regions.

Specific Objectives
•Sensitize and strengthen FPO Boards of Directors (BoDs) and members to integrate EbA into agriculture and agro-business activities.
•Promote sustainable water, soil, and crop biodiversity management practices, including water budgeting, vermicomposting, green manure, and crop diversification.
•Train farmers and local governance institutions (Gram Panchayat, FPOs, and EbA Committees) in climate-resilient agriculture, organic/bio-input use, and efficient irrigation to cope with climatic variability.
•Establish inclusive EbA Committees at village and FPO levels, involving women, smallholders, and Gram Panchayat representatives for equitable decision-making and participatory governance.
•Develop local green enterprises with women farmers’ groups (e.g., vermicompost and bio-input units) to generate income and provide doorstep access to bio-input products.

Expected Outcome
•Empowered FPOs functioning as eco-sensitive institutions, enhancing ecosystem services, reducing environmental vulnerabilities, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods under changing climatic conditions.
•Local, context-specific EbA measures help reduce market dependency and collectively lower input costs for farmers.

2.9 Condição que propiciam ou inibem a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias aplicada(s) segundo a abordagem

3.1 Partes interessadas envolvidas na abordagem e seus papéis

3.2 Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais nas diferentes fases da abordagem

	Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais	Especifique quem estava envolvido e descreva as atividades
Iniciação/motivação	Participativo	Community members (farmers associated with FPO) were sensitized about climate risks, ecosystem degradation (terrestrial and aquatic), and the significance of Ecosystem based Adaptation. Village-level meetings were held with FPO Board members, Women Farmers Group and Gram Panchayats to introduce the concept of EbA. Farmers, FPO members, and SHG women participated in discussions.
Planejamento	Participativo	Participatory planning workshops using Community Driven Visual Integration (CDVI), Community Driven Vulnerability Evaluator (CoDriVE) and Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) were held to map resources, analyze risks, and co-design interventions. Local EbA Committees were formed to ensure inclusive decision-making (with at least 50% women representation). Farmers, FPO BoDs, women leaders, and youth jointly decided on site selection, activity prioritization (e.g., composting, multilayer farming), and linkages with local schemes.
Implementação	Participativo	Farmers actively implemented key interventions such as vermicompost units, water harvesting structures, green enterprises, and crop diversification practices. FPOs coordinated logistics, procurement, and on-ground supervision to ensure timely execution. WOTR field facilitators provided continuous technical guidance and quality assurance. Land users contributed labor, local resources, and monitoring support to strengthen ownership. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) led the management of bio-input units, while FPOs handled record-keeping, cost-sharing mechanisms, and financial tracking for long-term sustainability.
Monitoramento/avaliação	Participativo	Farmers participated in self-assessment meetings and reflective workshops facilitated by WOTR to analyze progress and challenges. Local leaders regularly monitored changes in water availability, crop performance, and input utilization. Data collection was jointly conducted by FPO representatives and W-CReS researchers to ensure accuracy and transparency. EbA Committees, farmers, and women’s groups tracked outcomes through participatory indicators such as vegetation cover, compost production, and crop health, promoting collective learning and adaptive decision-making.

3.3 Fluxograma (se disponível)

3.4 Decisão sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias de GST

Especifique quem decidiu sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias a serem implementadas:

• todos os atores relevantes, como parte de uma abordagem participativa

Explique:

The selection of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) technologies under the EbA–FPO approach followed a participatory decision-making process, a core pillar of EbA. The process combined scientific assessment (CDVI and CoDriVE) with local knowledge to ensure that the chosen interventions were ecologically sound, socially inclusive, and economically viable. Selecting farmers (small, medium, or large) for the project intervention and ensuring their participation at the planning and execution levels was challenging. Decision-making was carried out through the EbA committees (with representation from farmers, FPO directors and Panchayat members), which were inclusive and represented diverse segments (men, women and members of marginalised communities). The key challenge was to ensure everyone's participation in the meetings organised. Balancing the views of the panchayat member (a statutory body at the village level) and the FPO member (a business organisation) is challenging when discussing profitability and the conservation of water and soil resources. Meetings with the EbA committee, FPO, board of directors, and farmers were held regularly, during which decisions on field interventions (distribution of green business units for women from both villages), beneficiary selection, and participation in capacity-building processes were taken collectively, ensuring equity and inclusion. While selecting beneficiaries for project interventions and capacity-building events was also challenging, considering everyone's opinions and providing equitable opportunities was even more challenging.

Especifique em que base foram tomadas as decisões:

• Avaliação de conhecimento bem documentado de GST (tomada de decisão baseada em evidências)
• Resultados de pesquisa
• Experiência pessoal e opiniões (não documentado)

• Participatory scenario planning and stakeholder consensus

4.1 Reforço das capacidades/ formação

Foi oferecida formação aos usuários da terra/outras partes interessadas?

Sim

Especifique quem foi capacitado:

• Usuários de terra
• Equipe de campo/consultores

• FPO Board of Directors (BoDs) and Community Leaders, Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Caso seja relevante, especifique gênero, idade, status, etnia, etc.

The training was targeted focusing both men and women from the project villages. The selection was done based on the need of the training. In terms of age group, for the school multi-layer farming the children were trained. For the trainings related to field interventions and capacity building, there was involvement of all the age groups (youth, adult and elderly). Women farmers were given special focus to promote leadership in climate-smart and green-business activities such as vermicomposting and bio-input production.

Tipo de formação:

• Em exercício
• Agricultor para agricultor
• Áreas de demonstração
• Reuniões públicas
• Cursos

Tipo de formação:

• Exposure visits (vermin composting units and 10 drum theory) were organized to successful best-practice sites, allowing farmers, women leaders, and youth to directly observe proven EbA interventions. These learning exchanges enhanced confidence, encouraged peer-to-peer learning, and motivated community members to replicate innovative climate-resilient practices in their own villages.

Assuntos abordados:

Significance of Multi-layer Farming: Training for women, and school children targeted towards significance of multi-layer in maintaining food and nutritional security

Ecosystem and Biodiversity from Farmers Perspective: Localising the concept of ecosystem and biodiversity.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA): Crop planning, drought adaptation, soil health improvement, climate risk mitigation, and resilient cropping systems.

Water Resource Management: Water budgeting, promotion of efficient irrigation practices, watershed-level hydrological planning, and groundwater recharge awareness.

Organic and bio-input Production: Hands-on training on vermicomposting, 10-drum composting systems, bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer production, and input quality assurance.

Biodiversity & Natural Resource Conservation: Promotion of agro-biodiversity, multi-layer farming, tree planting, and sustainable land use practices aligned with local ecology.

Organic and Bio-input Production: Composting (vermicompost), Organic Formulation (10-drum compost), Bio-pesticide Preparation, and Input Quality Control.

Institutional Governance: Strengthening FPO and EbA Committees, and promoting participatory governance through equitable participation of marginalised communities, improved decision making, record keeping, and improved decision making.

Gender & Leadership Development: Women’s empowerment through leadership roles, promoting green-business activities, and ensuring equitable participation in local governance structures.

Monitoring & Data Collection: Tracking progress of key performance indicators related to the distribution of project benefits, participation in various capacity-building events, and farmers filed schools.

Training Methods and Pedagogy: The capacity building approach adopted WOTR’s participatory “learning-by-doing” model, integrating:
•Classroom-based orientation paired with field demonstrations
•Use of Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) and other visual tools to explore climate futures and adaptation pathways for the farmers' collective
•Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are mainly for CRA field demonstration, fostering experimentation and behavior change
•Peer-to-peer exchange and exposure visits for cross-learning among FPO members, e.g., vermin composting at Bhima Shankar, Maharashtra, and 10 drum theory, at Shawsat Foundation Narayangaon, Pune, Maharashtra, and sites at Tighalkheda village, Jalna, Maharashtra, to expose farmers to group micro irrigation
•Hands-on practice in green enterprises, water budgeting, and cultivation methods

Periodic refresher sessions on all topics ensured continuous learning and adaptation over time. To sustain knowledge beyond the project, Community Resource Persons (CRPs) were trained as local people to provide first-line guidance, promote adoption of technologies, and support institutional processes.

Comentários:

The capacity-building component was a cornerstone of the EbA with FPOs approach. It strengthened local institutions like EbA Committee, FPOs beyond their conventional market focus, enabling them to evolve into eco-sensitive institutions that integrate sustainability into decision-making and operations. The initiative fostered women’s leadership in green business activities. Capacity-building efforts not only enhanced technical knowledge but also strengthened community mindsets, nurturing collective responsibility for ecosystem stewardship and long-term resilience.

4.2 Serviço de consultoria

Os usuários de terra têm acesso a um serviço de consultoria?

Sim

Especifique se foi oferecido serviço de consultoria:

• nas áreas dos usuários da terra
• Em centros permanentes

• FPO offices / WOTR regional offices

Descreva/comentários:

Under the EbA with FPOs approach, advisory services were designed to be continuous, demand-driven, and field-embedded, ensuring real-time guidance to farmers on ecological agriculture and institutional strengthening.

1. Field-Level Advisory Support
WOTR field facilitators and agricultural experts conducted regular visits to demonstration plots and individual farms. They offered hands-on guidance on:
•Crop planning and nutrient management
•Efficient irrigation and water scheduling
•Pest and disease management
•Soil health improvement
This support was tailored to local crop patterns, agro-climatic conditions, and farmer priorities.

2. FPO-Based Advisory Hubs
Participating FPOs — such as Krishiyug FPO (Maharashtra) and Jeevandhara MACS (Telangana) — acted as decentralized knowledge centers.
Their Board Members, Lead Farmers, and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) ensured last-mile delivery of advisories and quick feedback to the technical team.

3. Digital Advisory Tools
Information was shared through:
•FarmPrecise mobile app
•WhatsApp groups coordinated by field staff
These tools facilitated timely dissemination of seasonal advisories, pest alerts, weather forecasts, livestock, market, and input requirements during critical stages of the cropping cycle.

4. Multi-disciplinary Technical Inputs
Advisory services covered ecological, agronomic, and enterprise aspects, including:
•Soil testing and organic input production (vermicompost, bio-pesticides)
•Multilayer farming and crop diversification
•Water budgeting and micro-irrigation
•Biodiversity education and farm resource management
•Business planning and record keeping for green enterprises

5. Institutional Strengthening
Support extended to enhancing FPO governance and operational capacity such as:
•Leadership training for Boards and women’s groups
•Integrating EbA principles into business models and investment decisions
•Strengthening member services through improved systems and linkages

4.3 Fortalecimento da instituição (desenvolvimento organizacional)

As instituições foram fortalecidas ou estabelecidas através da abordagem?

• Sim, significativamente

Especifique a que nível (níveis) as instituições foram fortalecidas ou estabelecidas:

• Local

Descreva instituição, papéis e responsabilidades, membros, etc.

Institutional strengthening was a core pillar of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) with FPOs approach. The focus was on empowering Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Women Farmer Groups, and village-level committees to operate as eco-sensitive, self-governing, and financially resilient institutions capable of sustaining the EbA at scale.
The approach recognized that long-term success of SLM and EbA interventions relies not only on technology adoption, but also on robust and inclusive local institutions. Therefore, WOTR invested in organizational development, leadership enhancement, and governance support at multiple levels which form key institutional strengthening components.

1. Formation and Strengthening of EbA Committees
•Established in each village to steer ecosystem-based planning and ensure participatory decision-making
•Ensured gender and social inclusion with mandated representation from women, smallholders, and marginalized groups
•Strengthened linkages between FPOs, Gram Panchayats, and WOTR for convergent action

2. Governance and Management Capacity of FPOs
•Trained Boards of Directors (BoDs) on EbA mainstreaming into business operations, financial management and business diversification and transparent governance and compliance practices
•Environmental and social goals were embedded in FPO bylaws, business plans, and investment decisions

3. Leadership Development at Community Level
• The special emphasis on women and youth leadership builds confidence and skills in group management, communication and negotiation and management of green business activities like vermicompost and bio-input production aimed to improve soil health.
•Women evolved as key decision makers within FPOs, Women Farmers Group and Green Business activities

4. Convergence with Local Government
•Gram Sabha resolutions integrated EbA priorities into village development plans
•Enabled access to government schemes like MGNREGA, PoCRA, ATMA, etc.
•Strengthened institutional legitimacy and resource mobilization

5. Institutional Networking & Collaboration
•Fostered partnerships with: banks, NABARD, research institutions, line departments
•Cross-learning through exposure visits across district and state boundaries, enabling replication of successful EbA models

6. Documentation, Monitoring & Transparency
•Participatory monitoring tools for tracking progress and farmer participation
•Regular review mechanisms within FPOs supported accountability, shared learning and evidence-based decision-making

7.Institutional Outcomes and Impacts
•Stronger FPOs: Transitioned from market-centric entities to ecosystem-conscious agribusiness institutions
•Decentralized governance: Villages developed capacities for collaborative ecosystem stewardship
•Gender-empowered institutions: Women emerged as economic actors and governance leaders
•Sustained adaptation capacity: Local institutions became self-reliant in planning, financing, and scaling EbA solutions

Especifique o tipo de apoio:

• Financeiro
• Reforço das capacidades/ formação
• Equipamento

Dê mais detalhes:

The EbA with FPOs approach was supported through a CSR partnership between HHSIF and WOTR, providing partial grants for vermicompost units, bio-input systems, and water management structures. Farmers, women farmer groups, and FPO members received hands-on training in climate-resilient farming, organic input production, and water budgeting, supported by field demonstrations and exposure visits. Essential materials and equipment such as compost pits, drums, irrigation pipes, and bio-input kits were supplied, while FPOs received assistance to operate agro-processing units for value addition. Ongoing technical guidance, digital advisories via FarmPrecise and WhatsApp groups, and linkages to schemes like PoCRA, ATMA, and MGNREGA strengthened governance and ensured long-term sustainability of interventions.

4.4 Monitoramento e avaliação

Monitoramento e avaliação são partes da abordagem?

Sim

Comentários:

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework:
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) was an integral and continuous component of the EbA with FPOs approach. It followed a participatory, learning-oriented model that enabled evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management across project stages.
The M&E system ensured systematic tracking of project progress while empowering community institutions to actively monitor and reflect on ecosystem changes in the context of agriculture. Key components of the M&E approach were:

1. Participatory Monitoring at Community Level
•Farmers, women leaders, and FPO BoDs participated in seasonal self-assessment meetings
•EbA Committees reviewed activity reviewed governance performance
•Local staff documented field observations on crop health and yield variation, soil moisture retention, adoption of SLM practices and community participation. This strengthened local ownership and accountability of the adaptation process.

2. Biophysical Monitoring
Periodic assessments facilitated by WOTR technical experts included:
•Soil health diagnostics (organic carbon, texture, nutrient status)
•Water resource monitoring (groundwater trends, irrigation use efficiency)
•Climate risk indicators (pest cycles, crop vulnerability)

3. Institutional & Social Monitoring
Tracked the performance and functioning of community institutions:
•Leadership participation (especially women and marginalized groups)
•FPO governance and financial performance
•Women Farmer-led enterprise viability
•Convergence with government programs
This provided insights on institutional sustainability and inclusion.

4. Data Management and Decision Support
•Information captured through mobile-based apps (e.g., FarmPrecise) and structured formats
•Findings were shared during reflection workshops, allowing timely corrective actions
•Monitoring insights fed into FPO business planning and future investment decisions

5. Independent Evaluations & Research Support
•WOTR’s W-CReS research team conducted mid-term review meetings
•Process documentation, and infobrief and knowledge products (podcast) were produced to support policy advocacy and scale-up

6.Outcomes of the M&E Approach
•Strengthened community awareness of resource conditions and climate risks
•Encouraged transparency and learning within FPO governance systems
•Contributed to the scaling of EbA in 25+ FPOs across multiple districts
•Provided robust evidence to policymakers and CSR partners for mainstreaming EbA with FPO

Caso afirmativo, esta documentação é destinada a ser utilizada para monitoramento e avaliação?

Sim

Comentários:

Purpose of Documentation:
This documentation provides a comprehensive and systematic record of the processes, institutional mechanisms, and field interventions implemented under the EbA with FPOs initiative. It serves as a key reference framework for:
•Tracking ecological, social, and economic outcomes
•Assessing the sustainability and long-term viability of the interventions
•Strengthening accountability among implementing partners and stakeholders
•Facilitating informed decision-making
•Guiding future upscaling and mainstreaming of the EbA approach
Additionally, the documentation supports learning and replication, enabling practitioners, policymakers, and FPO networks to apply successful strategies in similar contexts. Through structured monitoring insights, it contributes to the expansion of ecosystem-based adaptation practices in agriculture and builds resilience within farmer institutions.

4.5 Pesquisa

A pesquisa foi parte da abordagem?

Sim

Especifique os tópicos:

• Sociologia
• Economia/Marketing
• Ecologia
• Tecnologia

• Institutional Development, Governance, and Climate Adaptation Processes

Dê mais detalhes e indique quem realizou a pesquisa:

Research on played a central role in understanding the impact of project piloted focusing the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) with FPOs, jointly implemented by the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and its research arm, the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS). A multidisciplinary research approach was adopted to piloting of project and understand both ecological and socio-economic outcomes:
•Sociology: Assessed gender roles, levels of community participation, decision-making dynamics, and strengthening of collective action through FPOs and women farmer groups.
•Economics & Marketing: Participatory assessment of potential market for farm produce, market potential of green enterprises such as vermicompost and bio-input production.
•Ecology: Monitored changes in soil health, water availability, and overall ecosystem resilience in semi-arid landscapes.
•Technology: Analysed field performance of sustainable land management (SLM) technologies such as multilayer farming, micro-irrigation, and bio-input systems. Assessment of FarmPrecise App and WhatsApp users to understand their views etc.
•Institutional Development: Process documentation of how FPOs mainstreamed EbA into governance structures and business operations, with attention to institutional maturity and long-term sustainability.
The research approach was action-oriented and participatory: evidence and insights were regularly fed back into field planning, behaviour change, and adaptive management. W-CReS led data collection, analysis and knowledge generation, while farmers and FPO leaders actively contributed through participatory monitoring and reflection-based learning processes.

5.1 Orçamento anual para o componente de GST da abordagem

Caso o orçamento exato seja desconhecido, indique a faixa:

• < 2.000

Comentários (p. ex. principais fontes de recursos/principais doadores):

Financing and Resource Mobilization:
The Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) with FPOs initiative was primarily financially supported through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership between the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF). Major funding components included:
•Capacity building for farmers, women farmer groups, and FPO Board members
•Implementation of ecosystem-based interventions focusing soil and water management such as vermicomposting units, multilayer farming, water harvesting, and soil and land management activities
•Research, monitoring, and evaluation, led by WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS)
•Institutional strengthening and governance support for FPOs and community groups

Co-funding and in-kind contributions were secured through multiple channels:
•FPOs: Provision of demonstration plots, local resources, and farmer labor contributions
•Gram Panchayats: Convergence with government schemes such as MGNREGA, PoCRA, and ATMA to support natural resource management interventions
•Women farmer groups: Investment of savings and revolving funds for establishing green business activities

5.2 Apoio financeiro/material concedido aos usuários da terra

Os usuários da terra receberam apoio financeiro/material para a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias?

Sim

Caso afirmativo, especifique tipo(s) de apoio, condições e fornecedor(es):

Land users received both financial and material support to adopt Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) technologies under the EbA with FPOs initiative. Support was led by the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) through CSR funding from Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF), complemented by contributions from Gram Panchayats, government schemes, and farmers including FPOs and women farmer groups.
Farmers were provided with essential inputs such as vermicompost units, 10-drum bio-input setups, improved seeds, sticky and light traps, and saplings for demonstration plots. Partial financial assistance supported compost pits, irrigation pipes, and women-led green business activities focused on vermicomposting and organic input production. Extensive training and capacity-building programs were also offered free of cost to strengthen technical skills in climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and enterprise management.
Government convergence was actively promoted by linking farmers to schemes like PoCRA, ATMA, and MGNREGA for micro-irrigation, soil and water conservation. Support for warehouse of farmers collective was received from PoCRA project supported by Government of Maharashtra. Farmers and FPO members contributed labor, local resources, and regular maintenance through a cost-sharing model that encouraged ownership.
Overall, a blended financing approach—combining CSR funding, public program convergence, and community contributions (for all project interventions)—ensured inclusive, equitable, and locally driven adoption. By pairing financial incentives with strong technical support, the initiative strengthened farmer resilience and enabled community institutions to emerge as proactive custodians of sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration.

5.3 Subsídios para entradas específicas (incluindo mão-de-obra)

• Mão-de-obra

• Equipamento

• Agrícola

• Construção

• Infraestrutura

• Outro

Se a mão-de-obra pelos usuários da terra foi uma entrada substancial, isso foi:

• Voluntário

Comentários:

Labour needs were met through voluntary farmer participation and government schemes like MGNREGA, ensuring inclusiveness and affordability. Wherever required e.g. construction of vermin composting and 10 drum was partially paid through project costs.

5.4 Crédito

Foi concedido crédito segundo a abordagem para atividades de GST?

Sim

Especifique as condições (taxa de juros, reembolso, etc):

A loan was secured from NABKISAN Finance Limited for constructing a storage godown costing INR 3,991,007. The FPO provided INR 997,752 as its contribution, while NABKISAN financed INR 2,899,007. The loan carried an interest rate of 9% per annum, with a 3% interest subsidy, reducing the effective rate to 6%. In addition, the project received a government subsidy of INR 2,338,200. The loan tenure was 5 years, and the outstanding balance currently stands at INR 274,623. This financial arrangement enabled the FPO to establish essential post-harvest infrastructure, strengthening storage, aggregation, and market access for climate-resilient farm produce under the EbA initiative.

Especifique os fornecedores de crédito:

NABKISAN Finance Limited (NKFL). NKFL is a subsidiary of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Especifique os destinatários do crédito:

Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO): The FPO played a central role in implementing the EbA approach.

5.5 Outros incentivos ou instrumentos

Foram utilizados outros incentivos ou instrumentos para promover a implementação das tecnologias de GST?

Sim

Caso afirmativo, especifique:

Non-financial incentives played a major role in promoting long-term adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) under the EbA with FPOs approach. Continuous training, field demonstrations, and exposure visits enhanced farmers’ technical skills in climate-resilient agriculture, organic inputs, and water management. Peer learning helped spread successful practices across villages. Social recognition motivated adoption—progressive farmers, women farmers group, and FPOs demonstrating good practices were acknowledged in community events, encouraging wider participation. Institutional incentives were also strengthened by involving farmers, especially women, in EbA Committees, FPO Boards, and women farmer-led green-businesses, giving them decision-making roles and leadership opportunities. Timely technical and digital advisory support through field visits, mobile advisories, and the FarmPrecise app and WhatsAPP group further increased confidence and trust.
Overall, knowledge enhancement, social acknowledgement, and stronger local institutions fostered behaviour change and local ownership of EbA without dependency on subsidies.

6.1 Impactos da abordagem

6.2 Principal motivação dos usuários da terra para implementar a GST

6.3 Atividades de sustentabilidade de abordagem

Os usuários da terra podem manter o que foi implementado através da abordagem (sem apoio externo)?

• Sim

Caso afirmativo, descreva como:

The EbA with FPO approach is sustainable because communities and their institutions can continue the activities independently. Institutionalisation of project activities through FPO and EbA committee helped keeping check and balance of project activities. Farmers now use low-cost, locally adaptable practices such as vermicomposting, bio-input preparation, and multilayer farming, which rely on on-farm resources, reduce input and market dependency, and remain profitable at small scales. Strengthened FPOs provide ongoing technical support, market linkage, and coordination, while women-farmers group run green enterprises that ensure regular income and sustained adoption of SLM practices. EbA principles are embedded into FPO business plans and governance structures, keeping environmental sustainability and livelihood resilience as core priorities. Linkages with government schemes and Gram Panchayats ensure continued access to financial and technical assistance for scaling. Most importantly, increased awareness, confidence, and ownership among farmers — achieved through participatory learning — have made the system self-driven, resilient, and adaptable to future climate and market challenges.

6.4 Pontos fortes/vantagens da abordagem

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do usuário da terra
The approach improved soil fertility, water availability, and crop productivity using low-cost EbA practices that farmers could easily adopt with local materials and labour.
Income stability increased as farmers reduced input costs through on-farm bio-input production and earned better returns via FPO-led collective marketing and green business activities managed by women and youth.
Strong community cooperation was built through group trainings, SHGs, and participatory governance in FPOs and village committees. Farmers felt confident and proud to jointly tackle climate and livelihood challenges.
Women and youth gained leadership roles and recognition through enterprise development and skill training. Women’s income from vermicompost and organic inputs strengthened their confidence and household status.

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
The approach linked ecosystem restoration with strong local institutions, making FPOs drivers of both economic growth and environmental sustainability — a successful model that can be replicated across FPOs in semi-arid regions of India.
It enabled participatory and data-based planning through tools like CoDriVE, CDVI, and Transformative Scenario Planning, ensuring community ownership of climate adaptation actions.
A gender-inclusive and multi-stakeholder structure promoted fair participation and accountability among farmers, women farmer groups, FPOs, and local governments, improving village-level governance.
By blending CSR funds, government schemes, and community contributions, the approach proved cost-effective and scalable. It created lasting social, ecological, and economic benefits that continue even after project support ends.

6.5 Pontos fracos, desvantagens da tecnologia e formas de superá-los

Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos na visão do usuário da terra	Como eles podem ser superados?
High initial workload and time investment were required to promote this unique approach. It was also bit challenging to adopt new practices such as vermicomposting, bio-input preparation, and multilayer farming, as these activities demanded more labour and management effort compared to traditional farming—especially during the early stages.	Introduce practical, time-saving tools and set up demonstration plots to clearly show productivity gains from EbA practices. Visible results help farmers adopt and continue these practices on their own. Workshop and training on the EbA project interventions helped understand benefits.
Limited and unstable market access was initially experienced. Farmers struggled to secure reliable buyers or premium prices, affecting long-term motivation to sustain eco-friendly practices.	Strengthen FPO marketing through business training and linkages with institutional buyers, agri-business platforms. Promote local branding (e.g., “EbA FPO Produce”) and use digital marketing to reach premium organic markets.
Continued dependence on external technical support remained a challenge. Farmers often relied on WOTR’s field teams for advice on pest management, soil improvement, and water budgeting, and confidence sometimes declined in their absence.	Train a local cadre of Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and lead farmers within each FPO to provide continuous technical support and peer guidance. Conduct regular refresher trainings and field exposure visits to maintain strong grassroots capacity.
Despite adaptation measures, climate variability remained a major risk. Irregular monsoon patterns sometimes disrupted water storage and cropping cycles.	Strengthen micro-irrigation coverage, promote short-duration and drought-tolerant crops, and provide mobile-based weather advisories and early warning systems to help farmers manage climate risks effectively.

Pontos fracos/vantagens/riscos na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada	Como eles podem ser superados?
Variation in FPO capacity and governance maturity affected implementation consistency. Some FPOs required stronger managerial, accounting, and leadership capabilities to sustain EbA activities independently.	Strengthen FPOs through tailored improvement plans that include leadership mentoring, business planning workshops, and exchange visits between strong and emerging FPOs. Linking FPOs with state federations and NABARD support programs will further enhance their institutional capacity.
Scaling and replication posed challenges, as the EbA approach depends on ongoing facilitation and resource convergence, which can be difficult to establish quickly in new areas.	Develop easy-to-use replication activities, and monitoring plan. Train project staff to implement the model independently. Partner with government departments for funding and staffing support to enable large-scale adoption.
Limited community capacity for monitoring and documentation remained a challenge. Tracking ecological changes like soil health, water levels, and biodiversity requires technical skills and digital tools, which are often difficult and costly for farmers to manage independently.	Use simple, visual monitoring tools and mobile apps in local languages for participatory M&E. Train youth and women farmer groups as village enumerators for basic data collection, with periodic guidance from W-CReS experts.
Limited policy integration of EbA approaches remains a challenge. Existing agriculture and watershed programs mainly focus on productivity or infrastructure, with insufficient recognition and support for ecosystem-based adaptation practices.	Work with state agriculture, rural development, and climate departments to integrate EbA principles into their schemes. Demonstrate successful pilot results through workshops, develop process documentation, and infobrief development to support wider policy adoption.

7.1 Métodos/fontes de informação

7.2 Referências às publicações disponíveis

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Do we need to think differently? 2023. Eshwer Kale, Harshal Khade and Marcella D'Souza.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

https://wotr-website-publications.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/Final_e-Version+of+TSP+Composite+Report.pdf

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

How School in Maharashtra Jalna District is leading the way in multi-layer farming. 2025. Nikhil Nikam, Dada Dadas, Faraz Rupani, Vandana Patekar and Pravin Jogdande.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

https://wotr.org/blog/how-a-school-in-maharashtras-jalna-district-is-leading-the-way-in-multilayer-farming/

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) – Do we need to think differently? 2023. Eshwer Kale.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

https://wotr.org/2023/04/05/sustainabilityof-farmer-producer-organisations/

Título, autor, ano, ISBN:

Successful Farmer Producer Organisations look beyond the objective of Profits-Webinar highlights. 2022. Arjuna Srinidhi and Anukriti Shaw.

Disponível de onde? Custos?

https://wotr.org/2022/12/05/successful-farmer-producer-organisations-look-beyond-the-objective-of-profits/ (

7.3 Links para informação relevante que está disponível online

Título/ descrição:

Sustainability of FPOs – Rethinking the Approach India’s farms face climate extremes, threatening food security and livelihoods. FPOs offer a path to resilience. In Jalna, Maharashtra, Honeywell, WOTR, and W-CReS used Transformative Scenario Planning (TSP) to strengthen FPOs, exploring strategies for secure incomes and sustainable resource use. Workshops from March–May 2023 united stakeholders to envision FPOs in 2030, highlighting collective action and future-ready farming.

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szsqtIZgRng

Título/ descrição:

In Power to the People (PODCAST on FPO)- In Power to the People, we explore the need for local governance, which helps communities manage the ecosystems they depend on. But to really govern natural resources effectively, we need reform on a much larger scale.

URL:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xQbsWmonW97bso91TsNoB

Título/ descrição:

The evidence for ecosystem-based adaptation exists and can be seen through the case study of Bhojdari, a village in semiarid India. Beginning from people's priorities - in this case, addressing acute water scarcity through effective management of this critical resource - the community is guided towards Ecosystem-based Adaptation for building resilience. And this works! Bhojdari tells the story of how this patch of Mother Earth began to smile again!

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RAtMslA4Qo&t=1s

Título/ descrição:

This film was produced in the context of the Climate-SDGs Integration Project that is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU). Under this project, WOTR in partnership with TMG Research gGmbH is promoting Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as a holistic approach to resilient livelihoods and ecosystems in Maharashtra.

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE64QGSeiKk

Título/ descrição:

FPOs in India: Challenges and Future Small farmers face low productivity, degraded ecosystems, and market and climate risks. FPOs provide market access, resources, and government support but struggle with limited capacity, finances, and external influences. This webinar explores these challenges and fosters dialogue among FPO leaders, financiers, and government officials.

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LICXAOW3QHM&t=382s

Título/ descrição:

Empowering Farmers through EbA and FPOs In India’s semi-arid regions, farmers face erratic rainfall, degraded soils, and market dependence. A 2.5-year Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project in Maharashtra and Telangana, supported by Honeywell, Supraja Foundation, Walmart, and WOTR, works with FPOs to promote sustainable, nature-based farming, strengthen value chains, and create new livelihoods. Today, FPOs are emerging as key actors in rural governance and resilient agriculture.

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqx8tbCq6xg