Short description of the best practice

Participatory Climate Monitoring (PCM) refers to a set of activities carried out by farmers, with initial support of experts, to monitor climate parameters. It involves recording of viz., rainfall, humidity, temperature, evaporation, wind velocity, wind direction and sunshine hours.  PCM is a tool that is intended to trigger discussion on the climate variability and its impact on their land and water resources, thereby triggering household/farm-level adaptation. |

Location

Location map attached

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Project area corresponding 150-600 meter contours covers in Rayalaseema and most parts of Telangana regions. These project districts characterized by hills /hillocks undulating plains and valleys more than of the state within the region.
The major soil groups present are Red soil, Black soil, and Alluvial soil. Red Soil occupying about 65%, there are six subgroups. Black soil (Vertisols) Black soil, which accounts 25% of the land area.  The Alluvial soils  are marine and reverie deposits occupy  5% and problematic soils like saline and saline alkali and alkali soils (1%).|
Fluctuations are recorded, in annual rainfall, particularly for the semi arid areas of Rayalaseema and Telangana. Both aggregate and district wise data identifies recurring droughts in the state resulting into crop failures, drinking water shortages, falling groundwater levels, and increased risk of contamination of surface water. Climatic uncertainties necessitate multi-year reservoir storage capacity, which the state is not well equipped. |

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

Under common law in India, groundwater extraction rights are chattel to land. Extraction of percolating waters with no limit on quantity is the right of every landowner. Land owners generally regard wells as their own and view others, including the government as having no right to restrict or otherwise control their right to extract water. Despite the well-established common law position, the easement and irrigation laws proclaim the absolute rights of government in all natural water.|
The farmers indebtedness, cost of cultivation, value of production and net income per ha in AP. On average 82% of farm household are indebted in AP vis-à-vis 48.6% at all India level. The difference is even more in marginal and small farmers’ categories. One of reasons is that farmers in AP have better access to financial institutions/ banks due to its thriving SHG bank linkage program. |
The Agriculture and allied activities like field crop production, Animal husbandry, back yard poultry and Horticulture crops |

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'?

Water availability (flood/drought), Water use efficiency, Crop Yield, Pest and Disease infestation, Duration of the crop, period of harvesting, time of fruiting, Irrigation management and nature of damage to crops. |

Main problems addressed by the best practice

1. Groundwater over-draft
2. Scarcity of scientific data
3. Access to scientific data
4. Difficulties in regulatory approaches

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Participatory Climate Monitoring model is able to provide answers to the major issue i.e., scarcity of hydrological data. PCM could help scientific agencies to adapt the scientist-farmer model of data sharing and benefiting from each other. The interval between the stations as evolved in PCM could be adopted by the groundwater agencies to get a more representative data, thereby improving the water balance estimations. The designs of rain gauge station, monitoring wells and stream gauge, apart from methodology of construction, data collection, storage, display and dissemination strategies that worked in PCM could solve the issue of access to data and bring in transparency as the data is now available (for a cost) on the public domain. PCM training modules when fully developed should address the issue of community capacity building for sustainable groundwater management.|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

1. Farmer volunteers possess skill of measuring important climate parameters
2. Climate data is documented and disseminated with the HU community
3. Starting point provided for discussion, within the HU community, on the impact of climate variability on land and water resources, and identification of suitable adaptation options
4. A HU level “Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCAC)”|

Brief description of main activities, by objective

Selection of sites:
PCM adopts the technical criteria of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), in selection of PCM sites. Based on the technical criteria communicated by the Project Management Office (PMO), the Field Units identify probable sites, in consultation with their respective Climate Change Adaptation Committee (CCAC). A physical inspection of the sites is then carried out to assess the technical as well as social feasibility of the sites proposed. |The sites conforming to both technical and social criteria are cleared, for establishment of PCM stations. Three sites are selected for installation of three sets of PCM equipment viz., a)Rain Gauge and Evaporation Pan; b)Stevenson Screen, consisting of two sets(maximum-minimum and dry-wet bulbs/thermometers); and c)Sunshine recorder, Wind Vane and Anemometer. Opting for three sites instead of one is expected to community participation within the HU, which consist of 10 habitations, on the a|bulbs/thermometers); and c) Sunshine recorder, Wind Vane and Anemometer. Opting for three sites instead of one is expected to community participation within the HU, which consist of 10 habitations, on the average. |PCM Stations Establishment:
After the procurement process is completed, the equipment is delivered at the field Unit, by the supplier. It is essential that suitable local masons are identified and trained before the establishment process begins, at the field level. A one day mason training is at one of the actual sites in the field. |The training familiarizes the masons on: required site conditions; site plan and sections; construction of platform for equipment installation; specifications and methods of fixing the equipment in the masonry structure; standards of fencing material; and construction of fence.
Data collection and hand-holding:
Without compromising on the quality of data, the procedures for data collection is kept as simple as possible using simple formats with minimum entries. Data collection starts in June, soon after establishment of PCM stations. PCM Volunteers collect data at 08.30 hours, every day. On field guidance is provided to farmers and volunteers by professional staff.
|Data storage and dissemination:
PCM data records are designed and printed in the local language. Data recording is done in the PCM data record books provided to the PCM volunteers. The book consists of formats for every day recording for all instruments. There are 3 formats for three sets of equipment. The data is entered in computers at the Field Unit Office. The Field Data Collection and Monitoring Assistant (FDCMA), in coordination with the Field Facilitators ensure that PCM database is updat|The dissemination of PCM data at the habitation level is carried out through Display Boards. The design and specifications of display boards is developed by PMO and communicated to PNGOs, to ensure quality across the project.  Display boards are erected at central places of a village so that they are visible to every frequenting villager. Volunteers use the earmarked columns against each parameter to enter data. Dissemination at the project level is in the form of updating the database and uploa
Identification of PCM volunteers:
The total number of volunteers identified is about 500 in number, about 4 from each of the target 143 habitations. Criteria for selection of PCM volunteers are: 1) experience in data collection; 2. minimum Literacy (read and write); 3) a resident of the village where the PCM station is established; 4) could be SHG women; and 5) school children (7th/8th standard) selected by school authority.|Capacity building of PCM volunteers:
The capacity building of PCM volunteers starts with the Master Trainer Training, of one-day duration. The curriculum includes: technical aspects of equipment; their installation; data collection and recording; and upkeep of PCM stations and equipment.  Volunteers are trained at field level in respective sites for two days. The PCM Volunteer Training (PVT) is of two-day duration, mainly aiming at the skill development of volunteers in data collection and recor
Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) Workshop:
Climate Change Adaptation Committees (CCACs) play a key role in feasibility study, site selection, establishment of climate monitoring stations, selection of volunteers, data collection and dissemination, safeguard and maintenance of equipment, and serve as a platform to discuss the climate variability factors, their impact on land and water resources, and identify adaptation options.  |They are also responsible for conducting Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) Workshop, based on the farmer data.

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

Technical specifications recommended by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) are used in the practice to maintain compatibility of farmer collected data with that collected by scientific institutions.

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Bharathi Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS)|26/130 B-2, EVA Nest, Gnanapuram,
Nandyal (R.S) Kurnool District,
Pin: 518 502, A.P, India.
Phone No :  +91 8514 222266       Fax: +91 8514 248444
Website : http:// www.birdsorg.net
e-mail : birdsorg@yahoo.co.uk

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Yes

List the partners:

Bharathi Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS)|Centre for Applied Research & Extension (CARE)|Collective Activities for rejuvenation of Village Arts and Environment (CARVE) |Development Initiatives and People’s Action  (DIPA)|Gram Vikas Samstha (GVS)|People’s Activity and Rural Technology Nurturing Ecological Rejuvenation (PARTNER)|Society for Sustainable Agriculture and Forest Ecology (SAFE)|Social Awareness for Integrated Development (SAID)|Star Youth Association (SYA)

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

Specify:

No Data

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

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

Chinneru Hydrological Unit Groundwater Management and Climate Change Adoption Committee, Rudravaram Mandal, Kurnool district |Mallappavagu Neeti Parivahaka Prantha Bhugarbha Jalala Yajamanya Committee, Uppununthala Mandal, Mahabubnagar District|Yadalavagu  Bhoogarbajala Yajamanya Committee, Markapur Mandal, Prakasam District|Narsireddypallivagu  Parivahaka Prantha Bhoogarbha Jala Yajamanya Committee, Racherla Mandal, Prakasam District|Kadirinayani Cheruvu Prantha  Bhoogarbha Jala Yajamanya Committee, Ramasamudram Mandal,  Chittoor District|Bokkineruvagu Neeti Parivahaka Prantha Yajamanya Committee, Kasinayana Mandal, Kadapa District|Jampaleruvagu Bhugarbhajala Yajamanya Committee, Ardhveedu, Mandal Prakasam District|Nathigani Cheruvu  Bhugarbbajala Yajamanya Committee, Thiparthy, Mandal Nalgonda District|Uppara vanka Parevahaka Prantha Bhugarbbajala Yajamanya Committee, Gooty Mandal, Anantapur District

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

FAO provides financial assistance to implement PCM, while GEF provides the additional costs. BIRDS receives the funds from FAO and transfers to PNGOs which manage field teams to implement PCM. Climate Change Adaptation Committees are organized by PNGOs at the Hydrological Unit level through the membership of the habitation level CCACs, which is the conduit of the project implementation.|

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

Yes

By means of what?

• Participatory approaches

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Related to human resources

No Data

Related to technical aspects

No Data