Approaches

PARTICIPATORY APPROACH IN IDCWDP, DANIDA [India]

approaches_2372 - India

Completeness: 86%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

BIJAYALAXMI Mishra

India

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Orissa Government - India

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Participatory approach for holistic and intigrated development of the defined area on watershed basis involving all level of stake holders.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Long term - Establish suitable and locally acceptable land use system which are sustainable and ecologically sound.The land use system should enable the poor rural community to improve their living condition and tsupply of food, fuel and fodder and other essentials, without exposing the natural resources to harmful stress. Intermediate Objective- Preserve the resource base by introducing improvemnets which are feasible, effective and attractive to the target groups in the area by combining elements of soil conservation, crop production, horticulture, animal husbandary and tree planting in such a way that sustaibale use is made of every niche of land within the watershed.

Methods: (1) Mobilization of community by NGO/ GO people through meetings. (2) Demonstration at the field level. (3) Organizing farmers field day. (4) Exposure visit to the watershed area. (5) Training. (6) Land development activities,

Stages of implementation: (1) Socio economic survey. (2) Participatory Rural Apprisal (PRA). (3) Preparation of participatory annual action plan with the community and village and watershed committee. (4) Consolidation of annual action plan by project management unit and circulation for comments to WDCU, DSC(O). (5) Approval of annual action plan by the state level project empowered committee and sanction of funds. (6) Implementation through community and mobilisation for labour contribution by the community (if such component are there). (7) Training at the field level. (8) Organizing monitoring by the community/ Specialist.

Role of stakeholders: NGO (Field Organizers)- Organizing village meeting and mobilization of community towards different activities and labour contribution organising PRA, meeting, group discussion, survey, formation of committee, preparation of AAP. Villagers:- Attendance of meeting, selection of beneficiaries from the target group and sites for different activities. Monitoring and implementation (Physical) of the activity. Youth facilitator:- The village youth facilitators played a key role through out the process of planning, implementation and monitoring and to solve the problems in case arises at any stage of the work. The village yourth facilitator acted as the link person between the community and the project. SWC (From Project management Unit) - Supervision, training to the SWC specialist, communicate new technology to the community. Beneficiaries:- Implementation, contribution of labour selection of his own land for SWC technology, monitoring, receive training, training before/during/afteer care.

Other important information: Government and NGO collaborately played a vital role to bring all level of stak holders to a common forum of participation.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

India

Region/ State/ Province:

Orissa

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Year of termination (if Approach is no longer applied):

2003

2.7 Type of Approach

  • project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Live stock development, SHG formation, management group, development of local committee, income generating, identification of 10 poorest and support for upliftment, training, women empowerment)

Long term - Establish suitable and locally acceptable land use system which are sustainable and ecologically sound. The land use system should enable the poor rural community to improve their living condition and tsupply of food, fuel and fodder and other essentials, without exposing the natural resources to harmful stress. Intermediate Objective- Preserve the resource base by introducing improvemnets which are feasible, effective and attractive to the target groups in the area by combining elements of soil conservation, crop production, horticulture, animal husbandary and tree planting in such a way that sustaibale use is made of every niche of land within the watershed. -Ease the pressure on non arable lands by increasing the productivity of land which is suitable for more intensive use which is suitable for more intesive use without risk of loss in soil fertility. -Provide marginal farmers and landless people with assests which yield essentials or generate income possibilities. Immediate: Relevant authorities will identify, plan for implement and monitor proper conservation measures and land use system acceptable and in cooperation with the people in the project area of Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Thereby increase production of agricultural and other rural products and improve gainful, empowerment opportunity for men and women among landless , small and marginal farmers.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: (1) Both the project districts like Koraput & Malkangiri are among the most poor, backward with 90% of the house hold are below the official poverty line. Literacy rate is just above 10%. (2) The dry land farming is predeminant activity. (3) The soil in the districts suffer from severe land degradation and erosion problems needing protectin and preservation measures.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • hindering

(1) No faith on Govt. people. (2) Practice on not participapting in any Govt. programme. (3) No women participation in any common gathering. (4) Dominance of influencial persons in the villages. (5) No participation of poors in any developmental work.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: (1) Repeated meeting by Govt. and NGO staff (2) Greter importance to the poorer section through out the process. (3) Identification of 10 poorest family in each village (4) Engagement of Lady organizer to oroganize the women of the respective area. (5) Fo

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • hindering

Irregular flow of fund by the sanction authority which hampered the season based activities.(2)Achieve the targetted amount of contribution for different activities from the community.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: The irregular funds flow continued till end of the programme.But regarding contribution component it was reduced from the 50% to20% in amount at the policy level which could be achieved by community mobilisation through NGO who were associated as the proj

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • hindering

The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights hindered a little the approach implementation Due to ignorance of the people, initially it was difficult to take up any activity in farmers land since the apprehensive of loss of llllland by the Govt. Staff was existing in the mind of land users.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Land less and Small/marginal farmers

Work equally divided between men and women (Both men and women work on common land activities, the land users worked combinely and in most of the private activities work done individualy. Though the male and female do all type of work, but due to their usual practice the women participation was very less in the initial period of the project. But due to the presence of the NGO in the project, they could be brought in the main stream of the project and by which many successful women self help group than the male group could be organized. The project has earmarked poor as main target froup. Through NGO they have been encouraged and mobilized to partcipate in project activities. As per the project guide line no land less and the small/ marginal farmers have their representation in the village committee/watershed committee wheremajor decission taken place. During implementation they priority for engegement of labour and income.

  • NGO

NGO as project partner

  • national government (planners, decision-makers)

Ministry of Agriculture, India.
(1) Watershed development coordination unit (2) State Agriculture Department (3) Director of Soil Conservation

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation external support public meetings; General village level meeting organized village committee members selected. Youth facilitator selected. Due to presence of NGO all villagers were mobilized to join in the mainstream of the project.
planning interactive All community were associated in planning meeting and PRA . Addl land survey made in association with land users. Need assessment made for each house hold in association with the villagers. Approval of action plan in watershed and village committee.
implementation external support
monitoring/ evaluation interactive At different level of meeting the land users views collected. The watershed committee (consisting of members from all villages) was the main body for monitoring and evaluation of the activities.
Research interactive on-station; Only for limited activities some soil testing made in the soil research station of the district.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

Description:

Organogram of Indo Danish Comprehensive Development Project, Koraput, Orissa, India

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists
Explain:

Many technologies has been takn up from the guide line of NWDPRA. But some are also innovative one emerged from the project level. However whenever any technology decided to be implemented, the land users view aloways respected for sustainable of the activity and transferred appropriate technology.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists. Relating to the method of implementation fo the activity, the suggestion of the land users played a vital role.

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
  • SWC specialists, extensionists/trainers, Local Invitor
Form of training:
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • demonstration areas
  • public meetings
  • courses
Form of training:
  • Courses and class room training
Subjects covered:

Method of implementation, merits, demerits of the technology, maintenance, socio-economic dimension, exposure visit, management committee formation for sustainability of the technolotgy.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • at permanent centres
Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Training and exposure visit, demonstration, meeting.; Key elements: Meeting and group discussion., Individual beneficiary interaction., Filed visit and watershed level exihibition.; 1) Advisory service was carried out through: projects own extension structure and agents; Extension staff: mainly government employees 3) Target groups for extension: land users; Activities: Demonstration, exposure visit, training, meeting, group discussion

Advisory service is inadequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; In knowledge it is adequate, but the approach is plicy based. So the continuation can not be guaranted fully.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, moderately
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
Specify type of support:
  • capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored through observationse

technical aspects were regular monitored through measurements

socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored through observations

economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored through observations

area treated aspects were regular monitored through measurements

no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored through measurements

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored through measurements

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: (1) Many new activities introduced. (2) More funds diverted to the poverty oriented activities (3) Like income generating activities changes in last norm of NGO operational expenditure to give more priority on community participation. (4) 10 poorest identified were appreciated and suggested for concetration of their socio economic upliftment.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • < 2,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (national - Salary and other expences of staff): 18.0%; international (DANIDA 13.25): 75.0%; local community / land user(s) (-): 7.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • equipment
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
machinery fully financed
tools fully financed
  • agricultural
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
seeds fully financed
fertilizers fully financed
Seedlings and biocides
  • infrastructure
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
Community infrastructure fully financed
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • paid in cash
Comments:

Govt. wages for their labour work.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The importance of low cost oriented appopriate technology of the project attracted to a greater part of the community. The land users have also trainined on implementation of technology like veg.bunding, water hole, V-ditch, excavation of ponds, structure, plantation, cave of natural forest etc.

Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Due to close association of NGO and strong involvement of Govt. staff at the filed level the problem could be solved.

Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

(1) The Govt. of India adopted GO-NGO collaboration in watershed development programme. (2) The district administration adopted like - (a) Low cost technology. (b) Community Participation. (c) Labour contribution in community (d) SHG (e) Exercise of PRA in watershed planning and monitoring.

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • yes
If yes, describe how:

The land users can continue the approach due to following reasons. - Low cost. - Skill transferred to the community - Management committee has been frame. - The farmers have realised the benefit in their own land and demonstration plot. - Registered VDA has established in all the villages for management and financial support to poor land users.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Community level institutions like VDA, SHGs has been formed.
Technology with the skill of implementation has been transferred . Technology with the skill of implementation has been transferred to the community.
Two well trained village ficilitators are existing in all the villages who are well on all aspects of the projecttrained.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
NGO cooperation (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The Govt. should take it as a policy.)
Registered VDA existed in all the village (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: They should be honour/ recognse and get priority at all official lelvel)
SHG (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: All SHG must be tagged with banks and after institutions which has done by the project to a great extent.)
Village Facilitator (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: District administration may utilise their services.)

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Plan of Operation (First, Second)

Available from where? Costs?

Director, Soil Conservation, Orissa

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide line for NWDPRA

Available from where? Costs?

Agriculture Depaprtment, Govt. of India

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