Program Activity Gallery

1.THE DEVELOPMENTAL CONTEXT :

The Indian economy is poised for a substantial growth led by the knowledge economy and the industrial and service sectors. However this growth co-exists with a great divide in society with about 30% population, particularly in the rural areas, being at a subsistence level of existence. For this population and for the rural areas in general 'job-led growth' still means increase in opportunities to make use of emerging opportunities in the services and not-farm sectors.

The rural economy has experienced a transformation in the last few decades. This was enabled by deployment of research and technology that led to the green revolution and white revolution. The other major characteristics are two fold increase in the demand for agriculture products but reduction in partial and full employment in agriculture. In the 1980s, the agriculture sector employed partially or fully 70% of the people of the country. This figure has reduced to 65% by 1994 and it is expected to further fall to 60% by 2012. Poverty, unskilled manpower, unemployment and underemployment have continued as major challenges of rural India. The pressure on natural resources to meet the food, feed and fuel needs of the ever-increasing population is very high. Adoption of new technology, integrated approach and multi disciplinary skills are the prerequisites to address this issue. The present generation engaged in agricultural activities lacks these skills. At the same time, opportunities for acquiring these skills for the next generation are limited.

With the spread of educational infrastructure in rural India, opportunity to complete education up to 10" to 12" has increased. However, the present education system does not offer opportunities for contextual and practical training that would provide livelihood opportunities for youth in rural areas. The problem is further aggravated by lack of exposure, entrepreneurship skills and limited access to financial institution. This leads to distress migration to urban areas and high rates of unemployment as well as under-employment. With the onset of the 21st Century, the process of globalization and liberalization is accelerated. This demands updating of knowledge and adoption of technology in every sphere of life.

2.BAIF PROGRAMS :
BAIF, Development Research Foundation, a development organization established in 1967, is involved in implementation of pioneering development programs in different parts of the country. The programs cover Natural resources Management parts of the country and improvements in Quality of Life of the communities.


Some of the pioneering contributions of BAIF have been a unique model of livestock development (consisting of home delivered A.I. services through cryogenic cold chain), a comprehensive watershed plus approach (combining NRM and livelihoods) , and the holistic Wadi program with a tree based farming system approach. The substantial impacts of these programs have been recognized by policy makers with the Government of India and the State Governments recognizing and formalizing the implementation of these programs through BAIF. As a result of this, programs are now being implemented in over a dozen states in the country and are likely to be extended to two other states in the near future.


Future directions:

The future programs for rural and peri-urban development will needs to be strengthened in two ways. On the one hand. he programs in conventional sectors will needs to be upscaled with adequate back-up inputs to ensure high quality standards. On the other hand various focused initiatives will be needed in niche and emergent areas.

With the geographical spread of its ongoing programs BAIF has promoted state level associate organizations for more effective management of the regional programs. These spread out programs and the field teams of the associate organizations however need to receive regular inputs for capacity building and program quality assurance through BAIF's core thematic teams.

BAIF has also identified a number of key areas in which focused work needs to be undertaken. These consist of :

1.Developing appropriate program approaches / packages for niche areas such as the deserts / arid regions, the Himalayan foot hills and North – East India.

2.Emergent areas such as 'promotion of producer – owned agri business and livelihoods through high quality services in the non-farm and hospitality sectors.

BAIF has also identified the need for structured medium duration training programme in the areas of NRM, livelihoods and women's development.

It is the above emergent needs that form the background to this proposal

3.PROPOSED PROGRAM

In view of the above emergent programme needs and directions Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust is requested to provide support to BAIF for the following :
Establish centres to develop program approach and packages for thematic programme component in five Niche Areas and Emergent Sectors of Development.
Establish centre for Training socio-economically, disadvantaged rural women.


The above components are elaborated below –

3.1.Establish Centres to develop program approach and packages for thematic program components in five Niche areas and emergent sectors of development

Sectoral development programs need to be adopted to different agro climatic and social setting in order to be most effective under different situations. Such adoptions would involve find tuning of individual sect oral programs a well as developing combinations / packages of appropriate technologies / intervention relevant to the specific niche areas and social setting.

It is planned to establish the following centres focusing on niche areas and emergent sectors :

•Centre for development in desert / arid regions.
•Centre for development in Fragile Hill areas.
•Centre for development in Tribal Areas.
•Centre for Livelihoods through Technical and Hospitality services.
•Centre for Promotion of producer – owned Agri-business.

Each of the above five centres would help to initiate work in newer program directions. It is proposed to set up small teams to work on the above areas in a focused manner so that a well defined programme is put in place over a period of five years.


4.PROGRAM OUTLINES :

4.1 Centre for Development in Desert / Arid Regions :

Background :
Hot desert / Arid regions in India are found in western Rajasthan and Kutch in Gujarat. The natural resource base in these areas is extremely degraded and the traditional means of sustenance for the people consists of low productive conventional crops (for eg. bajra, moth) and indigenous daily breeds such as Tharparkar in cattle and one buffalo. However most of the daily husbandry is practiced is an extensive manner on a zero cot basis without very little management inputs. There are possibilities of strengthening the dairy husbandry activities through better organized breeding programs and animal management practices. Developing appropriate silvipasture systems, improving the agricultural practices and introducing potential tree crops such as date palm, guggul and piloo are other possible interventions. It is necessary to test out potential interventions in the above areas and organize these into a program package that can make significant positive impact on the present NRM usage and livelihoods of the people. This can then be upscaled by mobilizing local resources available for development. The centre for Development in Desert / Arid Regions will take up with the above objectives.

BAIF has various diverse development programs in different part of Rajasthan and Gujarat. A few studies and interventions have also been made in the desert / arid regions. This work is planned to be strengthened through the proposed centre.


Program

The operations of the centre will be in pilot areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat and the program will be coordinated from BAIF's existing office at Bhilwara. The broad range of activities will consist of the following:

a.Establishing a core team (at the centre and in the pilot areas) to work on the program.

b.Organize Exposure visits (to relevant institutes and program areas) and Training programs for staff and farmers.

c.Develop a program strategy for the centre

d.Initiate pilot program activities covering interventions in livestock development, silvipasture promotion, horti-culture and forestry agriculture development and other need based activities.

e.Introduce field trails on newer innovative ideas.

f.Organize Annual Sharing Workshops.

g.provide Periodic Inputs from Subject Specialist to the Pilot Programs.

h.Documentation of Implementation Experience.


Expected Outcome :

The above activities are expected to lead to the following outcome over in five year period :

1.Direct impacts occurring at family level in the pilot areas (better income and more productive assets, better management systems etc.)

2.Direct impacts occurring at the area level in the pilot areas (eg productive and better managed natural resources in the areas through silvipasture)

3.A streamlined intervention package for development programs in Arid areas.

4.Increase mobilization of government resources to support such a program package.


In first operational year 2007-08, 3 village / dhani selected and activities like Horticulture, Training, Exposure, Goat Development are undertaken.

As on December 2007, 2 exposure visit completed (goat development) and in Wadi (Horticulture) progrmame, pit digging, fencing and leveling work completed in 50 wadi.