The project is implemented in Amaravati, Akola, Washim and Buldhana Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchirolidistricts of Maharashtra. The project aims at promoting alternative markets for farmers and linking them to the emerging markets through the establishment of commercially viable producer groups / organizations which are federated into Producer Associations (PA’s). Such institutions were financially supported by the project to establish small scale aggregation centres called as “Farmer’s common service centres” (FCSC), which are owned, managed and operated by the producer associations. A total of 100 PA’s were formed and registered under the Company act as Producer Companies with over 36,900members. The PA’s deal with grains, fruits and vegetables.

Gender based impact analysis of ATMA programme

Under the aegis of National policy on farmers (2007) mainstreaming the human and gender dimensions in all farm policies and programmes was made as one of the major policy goals. Accordingly appropriate structural, functional & institutional measures are being taken to empower women inagriculture and allied sectors by building their capacities and improving their access to inputs, technologyand other farming resources. The Department of Agriculture Cooperation &Farmers Welfare is promoting mainstreaming of gender concerns in a big way by incorporating ‘pro-women initiatives’ andearmarking at least 30% of benefits and resources for women under all its major beneficiaries orientedSchemes and Programmes that are grounded through ATMA. National Gender Resource Centre in Agriculture (NGRCA) has commissioned this evaluation study to assess the gender impact on the ATMA programmes. In this study the gender perspective of the ATMA policies and schemes with respect to their design, implementation and initiatives were reviewed. Since 30% of the budget was earmarked for women, the study has also assessed whether the financial and human resources allocated are appropriate and adequate to achieve the objective of improving the status of women farmers. The study has reviewed the presence of women in hierarchical bodies at the state level (SFAC), District level (DFAC) and Block (BFAC) levels. The extent of contribution of women all stages viz., planning, implementation, monitoring as well as in participatory evaluation in various schemes of DAC &FW. The study has also reviewed and analysed the reasons, constraints and problems faced by the women farmers in availing the benefits of different schemes of ATMA and recommended NGRCA on a set of best practices that could be adopted for improving the gender inclusivity in agriculture.

Developing Commodity Value Chain Development and Market Linkages for CG SRLM

The main objective of the project is to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to SRLM and Producers Organizations in the development of commodity value chains and establish market linkages in the agriculture, livestock and NTFP products so that the FPCs become profitable, bankable and self-sustaining in course of time. Value chain development is the essence of this project which was achieved through an initial market assessment study conducted and eight commodities were identified from agriculture, horticulture, and NTFP segments that have potential for development of value chain and needed market access. Value chain analysis was conducted for all these commodities and key interventions were identified. Implementation support for the value chains along with access to markets of the aforesaid crops was given to the SMMU and its team at district and block levels. Inclusive market system development framework was adapted to ensure the engagement of poor especially the target group of NRLM. The SRLM was supported in promoting five farmer producer companies. SHGs were mobilized and federated into the farmer producer companies. The governing body along with the management staff have been trained on Institutional Development and Strengthening such as management, governance and conducting the business activities of PA’s.

Study of Impact of Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme of Government of India on the Credit Cooperative Structure

Government of India in March 2008 announced a massive loan waiver scheme, “Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, (ADWDRS), 2008” to the tune of Rs. 60,000 crore as a package to provide relief to the indebted farming community, by waiving loans of small and marginal farmers subject to certain conditions. This study was conducted to assess the effects of the ADWDRS on the rural credit delivery system, in particular on the Short Term Cooperative Credit Structure.

The study assessed the impact of ADWDRS on the loan outreach, finances of credit cooperative, impact on beneficiaries, ST CCS Revival Package and long term effects of ADWDRS.

Evaluation on Functioning of VFCs and SHGs under Integrated Natural Resource Management and Poverty Reduction Project in Haryana

Integrated natural resource Management and Poverty reduction Project was implemented by Haryana Forest Department. The project includes two main components (a) Plantation, Soil and Moisture Conservation; (b) Poverty reduction. The first component was carried out through Villages Forest Committees (VFCs) and the second through Self Help Groups (SHGs). The study was undertaken to conduct the evaluation of the process of formation, micro plan preparation, functioning and the sustainability of the VFC and SHG’s created under the Integrated Natural Resource Management and Poverty Reduction Project in 800 villages of Haryana state.

Scoping study to manage the silt in the Kosi river of Bihar

Kosi River in Bihar causes frequent and devastating floods in Bihar. The river carries very high annual sedimentation load. Exploration of scope to manage silt of Kosi river was identified as one of the key focus area for Action on Climate Today (ACT-a new programme of UK DFID) as agreed jointly by Government of Bihar (GoB) and ACT team. This scoping study was conducted to estimate the deposited and extractable silt in various stretches of Kosi River and to make a commercial plan for usage of the dredged silt. Chemical and physical characteristics of the silt samples were analyzed and it was suggested that the silt be used for landfilling and reclamation of water logged agricultural lands, preparation of low value ceramic products like paving blocks, wall tile etc., and laying and flanking roads in villages.

Strategy Development and Operationalization of Value Chain Finance Model for Manaveeya Development & Finance Private Limited (MDFPL)

The project supported Manaveeya to develop a comprehensive strategy, identify capacity building gaps/needs and develop a detailed corporate business plan to become a major player in agricultural value chain finance with a focus on designing product for small producers segment

The corporate strategy of Manaveeya was also analyzed to assess the readiness of Manaveeya to enter and scale up in the agriculture value chain finance. Best practices, resource planning and opportunity mapping and geography selection to reduce transaction costs and improve operational efficiency was the key output of the project. The study supported the client in strengthening its risk assessment and due diligence process to select value chain players/companies as potential partners. Capacity needs of the partners have been assessed in order to develop the strategy and business plan for the identified partners to implement the value chain projects. Action plan was developed to identify and support the partners to expand financial services to agribusiness / agri. value chains companies that support small farmers in rural areas.

Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for Market Access (Component IV of UP Sodic Land Reclamation Project III)

Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project of Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam (UPBSN) is implemented with the financial assistance under IDA from the World Bank to significantly to poverty alleviation. The goal of the component is to enhance income and improve the profitability of farm production of the poorest section of farmers. This goal was achieved through organizing the farmers of 29 districts into 120 farmer producer companies with 96,280 number of members and use these institutions for deploying different interventions across the value chain to increase agricultural productivity, improving local-level capacities for market led production and provide post-production support for value-adding activities to enable producers to access non-traditional markets.

This project was supported by the Solidaridad Network Asia Ltd and was conducted in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. A total of 5,000 small holder cotton farmers from five blocks in two districts of each state were supported to improve their livelihoods by encouraging the adoption of better management practices in cotton crop production. Farmer producer companies were trained in supply chain activities, awareness on market prices and trade better with the ginners. Local ginners were also trained under BCI accreditation. The project also emphasized on decent work training to children, women and farmers.

Strengthening Quality, Growth, and Performance in Agriculture Finance

The assignment was to provided training and advisory services in agriculture focusing on productivity enhancement through the use of improved seed varieties and sowing practices; risk mitigation (non-insurance), such as livestock vaccinations; local value addition; and alternative input/output market linkages to ensure better prices for producers. The study also emphasized on building capacity in agriculture finance for commercially-oriented smallholders and small and medium enterprise (SME) by developing financial services and products for agriculture (crop and agri-term loans, index-based rainfall insurance, and livestock insurance).

Conducting skill and livelihood opportunities assessment in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The assessment study was conducted in two districts viz., Krishna and West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The aim of the study was to identify the gaps in skills, enterprise development and to understand the market demand for livelihood opportunities for adolescent boys & girls, women and men. A large scale survey was conducted which included 100 members in every Mandal of the two districts that covered a range of stakeholders. A detailed implementation plan was also developed.

Formation and Strengthening Capacities of Farmers Clubs (1000), in 9 districts in Madhya Pradesh, India for building sustainable linkages

The objective of the assignment was to institutionalize the primary producers of selected villages into farmer clubs. The project focused on the capacity building of the farmer club staff to provide services to the member farmers for integrated development. Different types of capacity building tools were used for trainings in enhancing productivity, reducing cost of cultivation, mitigating risk, increasing access to credit and ensuring better access to markets.

Joint Initial Assessment for Oxfam four partner NGOs at Assam

Oxfam India has four NGO partners with varied vintage working on ‘Disaster risk reduction’ program in the Brahmaputra Basin Development. The objective of the assignment was to assess the capacity of partners to deliver the services as envisaged in the project and their ability to create and strengthen viable community based village institutions incorporating a framework of disaster risk management for the risks faced by the communities in protecting their assets. The project also emphasized on assessing of human resource capabilities with respect to risk management, business acumen, forward linkages and institution building aspects.

Preparation of District Perspective Plans and Annual Plans under Back ward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) Program for Kadapa, Ranga Reddy, Medak and Nalgonda districts of Andhra Pradesh

The objective of the assignment was preparation of annual plans under backward region grant fund program for four districts of Andhra Pradesh (Cuddapah, RangaReddy, Medak and Nalgonda) for a period of five years (2012-13 to 2016-17). These annual plans were prepared from the integrated district perspective plans. The perspective plans were prepared taking into consideration of resources required to complete a prioritized list of annual works plan across all components across all units of the ZillaPrajaParishad.

Handholding support to 30 fisher folk CBOs of Oxfam India partners in Andhra Pradesh

Under the project, assessment of the impact of work of Oxfam India on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ (DRR) program in three districts of Andhra Pradesh was conducted. Based on the recommendations from the assessment study an institutional development support services were provided for a period of one year to 30 community based organizations (CBOs) in fishery sub sector. Some of the key ID services provided were enhancing the core competencies of the staff, development of systems to manage the CBO, capacity building of the board members and also on the sustainability of DRR program.

To develop master proposal for sustainable food in Bihar

The purpose of this assignment is to develop an understanding of Oxfam’s work in the state of Bihar in the thematic area of sustainability in food, establish a theory of change and develop a proposal with defined program areas to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities within the state. The assignment also focused on designing a program that builds on the existing work of Oxfam and probable partnerships to support underprivileged sections such as Dalits, Tribals and Women groups of the state.