IMPACT ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION Integrated Village Development

Transcription

1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION Integrated Village Development Submitted to, Hyderabad August, 2014 Partners in Change Page 1

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The operational and target area for, Bastar region, is considered one of the most backward regions in the country. Insurgency further complicates the development prospects in the region and also affects the company s operations in many ways. Evidently, the intervention themes and areas for any agency be it government or private interested in the economic and social development of the area are multiple; most important being education, health, economic development and infrastructure. The above aspects characterize the villages around NMDC s Bailadila Iron Ore Mining, Kirandul Complex. Villagers mainly practice rain-fed cultivation, largely depending on traditional farming methods. The education system is effectively in shambles with very few government interventions initiated previously and allowed nowadays due to insurgency. The health system suffers from the same ailments as education. As a result of being far away from towns and cities, insurgency issues, lack of education and subsistence farming by majority of the households means the livelihood options are severely limited. Keeping the above issues and challenges in mind, Shamayita Math with support from NMDC began the Integrated Village Development programme starting In order to make agriculture a profitable and lucrative option, interventions in the area of paddy and maize cultivation, horticulture and irrigation infrastructure have been undertaken. As a result of these interventions, the productivity of the paddy crop has increased from 5-8 quintal/acre to quintal/acre. Besides, distribution of vegetable seeds and training on horticultural practices along with the development of irrigation infrastructure of the region has led to households and farmers groups to take up vegetable cultivation on a large scale. It has also been observed that post these interventions, the beneficiaries have reduced their dependency on minor forest produce and manual labour. Further, Shamayita Math has provided necessary opportunities and an enabling environment for women, making them aware of alternative sources of income generation. Through SHGs, training on tailoring, broom stick making, snack preparation, kitchen garden, mushroom cultivation etc. have been introduced. The implementation of this project has not been a complete success for various reasons, as discussed in the document. However, with renewed emphasis on SHGs from onwards may change this scenario. In case of education, Shamayita Math has been involved in providing support to primary school children in the form of extra classes, nutritional support, assessment of learning levels and health checks through Hospital on Wheels. The impact of these interventions has been acknowledged by students, teachers and parents. According to the teachers, their burden has been lessened and the learning levels are gradually improving. Compared to what the situation was before, the awareness among parents on the importance of education is slowly increasing. They also acknowledge the health benefits of the morning tiffin provided to students in schools and anganwadi centres by Shamayita Math. Partners in Change Page 2

3 On the flipside, it was observed that the community has become somewhat dependent on NMDC- SM s assistance. There is a need for NMDC-Shamayita Math to disengage itself from providing material support and instead focus on technical assistance, in case of agriculture, horticulture and irrigation-related interventions. This will ensure that the farmers and community are empowered and the programme is sustainable in the long run. Further, the company can also look at alternate livelihood generation activities such as fisheries, bee keeping and floriculture. Also, there should be more emphasis on empowering the women or equipping them with the required skills to run the SHGs effectively and efficiently. Currently, only 3-4 SHGs are pursuing livelihood activities; the rest are inactive except for monthly contribution and savings. Shamayita Math may consider providing the SHGs extensive livelihood trainings - based on market opportunities - and also establish relevant linkages for the skills acquired, after a thorough consultation with the community members. It has also been observed that Shamayita Math has been undertaking all the interventions with minimum outside support. While this is indicative of the capacity of the organisation to singlehandedly manage the activities, it is necessary to bring in experts on short term or long term basis - in each of the fields to help redefine the mission, strategies, implementation and ultimately, the impact of the interventions on the beneficiaries. It is critical here that experts who have been working on issues related to tribals be brought it in so as to gain critical understanding of the issues that affect the communities in the region. Besides the impact of these initiatives, the company s business activities have generated employment and developed the local economy. Having established its presence in the region and proven its commitment to the development of the region, it is now necessary for NMDC to look at establishing a strategic link between its business and CSR activities. Partners in Change Page 3

4 I. OBSERVATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS i. AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND IRRIGATION INITIATIVES 1. FOCUS MORE ON TECHNICAL AND NOT MATERIAL INPUTS As of now Shamayita Math is providing most of the inputs free of cost to selected farmers in the target villages. The assessment team has observed that the community is increasingly becoming dependent on the organisation s support. The expectations of the villagers will continue to increase unless a better understanding of the programme s capacity is understood. Shamayita Math should try moving away from providing material support and should instead focus on technical assistance. This way it can ensure that the community is not dependent on NMDC-SM for all its agricultural needs and that the project remains sustainable, even if the company and the organisation are not around. 2. IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE NMDC along with Shamayita Math should focus intensively on upgrading existing and creating new irrigation infrastructure using sound rainwater harvesting and watershed management techniques. The need for better irrigation facilities has been cited as one of the three most critical needs of the farmers in the target region the remaining two being leveling and fencing. The current work contract between NMDC and Shamayita Math, it has been told, does not have sufficient focus on upgrading existing and creating new irrigation facilities. This may reconsidered to satisfactorily meet the needs of the community. 3. INCREASED FOCUS ON HORTICULTURE While interventions in paddy cultivation have largely been successful, with many villagers both those who got support from Shamayita Math and those who learned from fellow farmers adopting new modes of cultivation, there s plenty of scope to improve the reach of horticulture initiatives in the villages. Most of the households have small kitchen gardens, growing local vegetables, indicating that interest in horticulture exists and need not be mobilized. Many villagers both men and women that the assessment team interacted with wanted to invest more into horticulture. The biggest impediment here, however, is the lack of irrigation facilities. 4. STEP AWAY FROM CHEMICALS The application of fertilizer and pesticide not only increase cost of cultivation but also pollute the environment at a large scale. Till , Shamayita Math had been promoting the use of chemical fertilizers for better yield. The organisation should have refrained from doing so from the beginning of the project and should have instead focused on organic fertilizers. With the new government directive on banning chemical fertilizers in the region, Shamayita Math has found the necessary to push to promote organic fertilizers among farmers. Keeping in mind the tribal lifestyle and their deep bonds with nature, it should constantly have an organic approach to promoting agricultural practices in the region. Partners in Change Page 4

5 5. TACKLE SENSE OF DISCRIMINATION Few farmers the assessment team interacted with expressed bitterness and disappointment for being left out of the project. Either they were unaware of the interventions or were hesitant to approach Shamayita Math officials for assistance. The benefits reaped by farmers who got support from the organisation has contributed to sense of inequity among other farmers, which would not bode well for the sustainability of the project. Moving away from providing material support to providing technical support may address this issue. Else, Shamayita Math should engage with the farmers and assure that there are no discriminatory practices involved and that it wants support and assistance to be accessible to all. 6. EXPLORE OPTIONS OF ESTABLISHING COOPERATIVES: As the baseline survey established, around 70% of the farmers are landless or have small land holdings. For such farmers setting up of an agricultural cooperative can be a good intervention. A cooperative will not only provide access to financial institutions, government schemes, private donor funds etc., it also foster a sense of togetherness, which will help the farmers deal better with adverse externalities such as erratic monsoon, insufficient harvest, high costs of inputs etc,. 7. TEST VIABILITY OF OTHER CROPS There are a few farmers who cultivate pulses and other cereals in the region but these are mostly successful farmers with large tracts of land. Shamayita Math may consider testing the viability of growing crops other than paddy and maize in the region. The farmers are now open to Shamayita Math s interventions and a pilot project with few proactive farmers may be initiated. Setting up a cooperative may also help in this case. 8. HELP WITH LEVELING The undulating terrain in the region adversely affects the successful implementation of agriculture and horticulture related interventions. Large tracts of land are lying unused due to this reason. Leveling requires advanced and expensive machinery and equipments which the farmers in the region cannot afford. NMDC along with Shamayita Math should consider adopting appropriate approaches to help the farmers with leveling. 9. HELP WITH FENCING As mentioned above, the three most critical issues raised by farmers were irrigation, leveling and fencing. During an interaction with farmers by the assessment team, farmers complained that they had been assured fences around their vegetable garden. However, NMDC s refusal to go ahead with the intervention, after it had given an informal approval, led to complaints from the beneficiaries. 10. BRING IN EXPERTS ON TRIBAL AND AGRICULTURE ISSUES The baseline survey, that set the rationale for the activities to be initiated under each of the areas was not conducted by an independent agency but was instead conducted by Shamayita Math themselves. Although the baseline report was comprehensive, the lack of inputs from experts who have been working on tribal issues is conspicuous. Further the Partners in Change Page 5

6 experts engaged by Shamayita Math for agriculture interventions are not regular and according to some field representatives, only provide namesake advice and support. There is a critical need to bring in points of view of experts who have been working on the issue and seek their inputs and feedback on the current interventions and how they can be made better. Such an independent evaluation will help strengthen the interventions. ii. INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES 1. MOTIVATION, MOBILIZATION AND FOLLOW UP The slow pace of implementation and low rate of success of the interventions in this area point towards the need to intensify motivation, mobilization and follow up processes. Villagers, especially women, are vary of outsiders, though Shamayita Math s consistent engagement with the beneficiaries have changed this mindset significantly. Further, women are not aware of the likely benefits of forming SHGs and taking entrepreneurial activities. Also, various other responsibilities stop them from dedicating their time and energy into SHG activities. Constant engagement with the members and rigorous follow up is, therefore, necessary to build the momentum and assure long term sustainability. 2. SYSTEMATIC, PROCESS-ORIENTED APPROACH The system and processes in place to establish, run and monitor the progress of SHGs is largely unstructured. As a result, only a few SHGs are running properly. Shortage of project staff for this initiative adds on to the problem. There s a need to establish thorough processes and robust support and monitoring system for SHGs so as to ensure smooth functioning. 3. OUTSIDE SUPPORT FOR TRAINING The work on income generation activities is executed by Shamayita Math, with very little outside support. There is a need to bring in experts on SHGs, livelihoods and representatives of government departments (especially for National Rural Livelihood Mission linkages) so that the SHG members are exposed to different sets of opinions, feedback and support. Such exercises will also serve to keep the interest and dedication alive among SHG members. 4. BETTER FOCUS ON CONDUCTING MEETINGS AND RECORD KEEPING Regular meetings and thorough documentation are vital for the smooth functioning of SHGs. They are the foundational steps for establishing group livelihood activities and to ensure transparency of transactions (loan and repayments). Meetings may be made sacrosanct for instance, fines or penalties for not attending and extensive training on documentation and financial literacy may be initiated. 5. USE OF INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION SHG members should be made aware of the benefits of coming together as a group and the best way to do so is showcase best practices and success stories. Interactive methods Partners in Change Page 6

7 and innovative and attractive IEC material would help convey the required messages to the target group. It will help retain the members interest during regular meetings. 6. MOVE FROM TRADITIONAL TO MORE INTERESTING LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS The trainings on alternative sources of livelihood have largely been limited to tried and tested options such as snacks preparation, tailoring, petty shop etc., Taking into account the feedback from experts in this area, needs of the community and the scope of success Shamayita Math can try exploring new innovative options of livelihood for SHGs. It is already considering mushroom farming, vermi composting, pickle formation, brick making, etc. and can consider more such options for the future. 7. FOCUS MORE ON YOUTH SKILLING The focus of income generation activities hitherto has been women. However, there s another set of beneficiaries which require critical livelihood-related interventions: youth. The villagers that the assessment team interacted with were of the opinion that the new generation is not keen on taking up farming as a profession. At the same time, however, their educational qualifications and the lack of employment options in the area do not allow them to pursue good (white collar) jobs. As a result, they end up taking up daily labour with NMDC or under MNREGA or migrate to nearby cities and states. Skill development programmes for youth, such as driving, motor repair, electronics repair, photography, IT literacy etc., may help curb youth unemployment and migration in the long run. iii. PRIMARY EDUCATION SUPPORT 1. TRAINING FOR TUTORS None of the tutors employed by SM who interacted with the field assessment team had any prior experience in teaching. Considering the field circumstances and the critical shortage of teaching staff, it would be impractical to expect SM to create minimum qualification requirements for tutors. However, it is necessary to provide a brief training programmes to selected tutors so that they are made aware and familiarized with the situation on the ground. Further, they can also be trained on Gondi, the main language of communication among villagers in the region. 2. MAKE USE OF OTHER ASSESSMENT TOOLS As discussed in the impact section, parents are of the opinion that students now pay more attention to studies than before. Teachers affirm that the learning levels are improving. The existing assessment mechanism has been in use since the beginning and may not provide the complete picture. For a holistic assessment of the impact of the interventions on the learning levels, there s a need to deploy alternative testing mechanisms there are many prototypes created by organizations working on education (Pratham, Smile Foundation, Teach for India) - which can be adapted to suit the conditions The results of this exercise may also be used to pay more attention to weak students. Partners in Change Page 7

8 3. USE OF INTERACTIVE METHODS Children s minds are much more receptive to interesting and interacting modes of learning than to simple, straightforward means. SM can arrange periodic interactive classes informative cartoons/movies, games, science experiments on a small scale (with due regard to the budget) in schools for the benefit of students. Shamayita Math can also look at arranging study tours and excursions for students to nearby places. 4. INFRASTRUCTURE HELP Considering the state of primary school infrastructure in the target region, focusing just on learning levels and absenteeism would not be enough to make a sustainable impact on improving education. Adding to the dismal state of education infrastructure in the region are extremist activities in the area that have led to destruction of school buildings and roads leading to them. There is widespread demand for improving and increasing school infrastructure, classrooms, playgrounds, drinking water facilities and toilets expressed so by teachers, students and parents. 5. INCREASED FOCUS ON AWARENESS The awareness levels among parents on the importance of education have been rising slowly but steadily, mainly due to consistent parental contact by Shamayita Math representatives and tutors. However, the scope for improvement is immense. Shamayita Math and NMDC should look at generating awareness through attractive IEC material and interactive platforms such as films and documentaries. 6. FOCUS ON SECONDARY EDUCATION While NMDC Shamayita Math s current education interventions has the long term capacity to address the issues of absenteeism and drop-outs at the primary level, these may not help address the high drop-out rates from primary to secondary. Since there are only a few secondary schools in the area because of which most of the children in the village are unable to pursue higher education. Shamayita Math can slowly undertake awareness programmes and support the children in pursuing higher education. Partners in Change Page 8