ANNUAL REPORT 2012 THIS IS AN INDICATIVE MAP /ARTIST’S REPRESENTATION - NOT TO SCALE

PROGRAMME AREAS OF AKRSP (INDIA)

GUJARAT BHARUCH, SURAT, NARMADA, TAPI, NAVSARI and DANG districts are some of the poorest areas in the state of Gujarat. A very poor tribal community lives on undulating and degraded land that was once heavily forested. Primitive Tribal Groups, largely landless, eke out a livelihood through labour and bamboo work.

JUNAGADH and PORBANDAR districts face problems of groundwater depletion and salinity ingress on the coast and over-exploitation of the Gir Forest. Multi-caste and multi-religious communities are struggling to maintain their livelihoods.

SURENDRANAGAR and RAJKOT districts are amongst the most drought-prone districts of Gujarat. Most of the villages in these districts face an acute scarcity of water.

MADHYA PRADESH KHANDWA, BARWANI, BURHANPUR and KHARGONE districts in Madhya Pradesh are home to marginalized tribal populations who live in poverty despite the rich natural resource base.

BIHAR MUZAFFARPUR and SAMASTIPUR districts in fl ood-prone Bihar are low in Human Development Indices (HDI), have very low literacy rates and migration to the urban areas is key source of livelihood. CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2012

STATISTICAL ABSTRACT INNOVATIONS THROUGH THE AGES 07 STATE REPORTS

FIELD IMPLEMENTATION 13 Empowering Communities 15 Enhancing Livelihoods - On Farm 20 Enhancing Livelihoods - Off Farm 23 Providing Access To Education 25 Reducing Drudgery And Improving Health 30 Working With The Poorest

33 Reaching Out 37 Financial Summary 38 About AKRSP (India)

ANNEXURES BOARD OF DIRECTORS STAFF LIST OUR PARTNERS ADDRESSES

Dairy development can be a key livelihood option for the Siddi community living in the periphery of the Gir forest AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS STATISTICAL OVERVIEW: 2012

The year 2012 was the last year for AKRSP(I) to receive funding from the 11 year (10 year project with a year’s Details Achievement in Cumulative till extension) Sustainable Community based Approaches to Livelihood Enhancement (SCALE) project under which 2012 2012 the European Commission funded the core costs in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. 1. COVERAGE We are thankful to the wide range of donors who supported us, both fi nancially and technically, in this period of Villages 167 1544 transition Households 16247 137840 Village Institution/Women’s Village Institutions 969/545 5268/3084 • The European Commission for supporting us so generously for all these years; and their continued support in Bihar Members/Women Members 4345/5627 92187/51666 • The Sir Ratan Tata Trust for its support in coastal Gujarat; and institutional support and ownership for the 2. ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC) a) Private Land Developement • The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust for its support in Madhya Pradesh as well as support for AKRSP(I)’s future Soil and Water Conservation (in Ha.) 1585 46018.81 • The Axis Foundation for its willingness to support the expansion into the poorest district of Gujarat; Dangs • Microsoft for its continued support for our work in Bihar and elsewhere Farm Forestry (hhs) 1671 15760 • The Araghyam Foundation for its support for the innovative concept of water-testing laboratories in Bihar Agro Forestry/Horticulture (no. of orchards) 485 14298 • The Government of Gujarat’s fi nancial support for work in irrigation, alternate energy, drinking water, sanitation Group wells (Homestead Land Development) 15 555 and tribal development (especially for primitive tribal groups) as well as endorsing AKRSP(I) as a training b) Water Management agency and seeking its opinion on policy issues • The Government of Madhya Pradesh for its substantial trust and support for watershed work through Canal Irrigation Societies (in No.) 57 123 MNREGA and IWMP programmes and its acceptance of the many ideas we propose Lift Irrigation Devices (in No.) 159 875 • The Government of Bihar’s fi nancial support for work with mahadalits Check Dams and Irrigation Tanks (in No.) 67 1313 • The Government of India, through its many initiatives, and fl agship programmes and consultations with civil Water Use Effi ciency Devices (in Ha.) 797.9 10835.84 society • CIDA and Marshall Foundation for the work in education, and DFID for health in Bihar c) Microfi nance and Agricultural Marketing • BMT for its support for an out-of-the box village drainage initiative in Gujarat Savings (Rs. in millions) 10.69 55.19 • NABARD, for its support for horticulture, Self-Help Group promotion and SRI in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Credit (Rs. in millions) 15.94 76.94 and Bihar Agri Input Supply (no of hh) 8778 38432 In addition, let me thank our various NGO partners, consultants and the Aga Khan Development Network, without Agri equipment (no. of hh) 789 5442 whom we would have not got so far. 3. COMMON LAND DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT Joint Forest Management (no. of villages) 56 56 Last, but not the least, are the rural communities who bear with our ideas, and our presence, with patience and 4. ENHANCING INCOME AND NON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES provide encouragement and motivation for our work. Dairy (no. of hh) 46 3298 Goat Rearing (no. of hh) 186 568 Skill - Based (no. of hh) 2889 4230 Product - Based (no. of hh) 63 440 5. DRUDGERY REDUCTION Alternative Energy ( Biogas Plants/Solar Devices/Windmills) (in No.) 1102 15935 Roof Rain Water Harvesting Structures 229 10005 Apoorva Oza Drinking Water Supply Schemes 21 180 Chief Executive Offi cer Hand Pumps Installed/ Repaired 294 3595 Percolation cum drinking water wells 0 233 6. EDUCATION Children in 3-6 age group 1737 6325 Children in 6-11 age group 3094 12517 7. ACCESS TO COMPUTERS Number of people trained 1852 22775 Number of youth placed 519 2055

01 02 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 AKRSP (INDIA)'S DEVELOPMENT APPROACH INNOVATIONS THROUGH THE AGES

Alternate The major contribution of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) (a much better word than NGOs) is the innovation and creativity Energy they have brought to the rural development sector. Many of these innovations then eventually get adopted by all stake holders. Savings and Research and Unlike the world of science and corporates, CSOs do not patent their innovations. In fact the beauty of these organizations is Communication L RESORCES • R Credit Groups URA EDU that they proactively share these innovations freely, and generously, to all interested. Unfortunately, this generosity prevents their AT CI N ODS • POLICY NG worth from being recognized. In India, where the space for fl exible, small and innovative CSO’s is shrinking, let us remind ourselves G IHO IN D IN EL FL R of the innovations, many of which have now become mainstream, where AKRSP (India) was a major contributor. These include V IV NEW TECH UE U Training R L ING NO N D Non-Farm innovations in process, approaches, technologies and partnerships. E E S L C G Centres S L ES O E N B C G E Livelihoods A C Y • R O N A C Y The fi rst decade C I • A A • • • ORGANISING P The fi rst 10 years of AKRSP (India) - 1985 – 1995 were full of experiments and innovations as there were no precedents to T S A C solving many of the problems faced by rural India. Many experiments failed (fodder farms etc.) but many more succeeded laying U PEOPLE FOR S I T the foundation of much of our work and in a few cases, the work done by rural development agencies in Gujarat and India. This COLLECTIVE ACTION Y G Agriculture Non-formal was a period of great creativity throughout the development sector in India, and hence many innovations were not of AKRSP N B I • • • Education U (India) alone, but were in collaboration with other NGO’s and evolved parallelly. So this chapter should be read as documentation T

I

L

O ADDRESSING of innovations by civil society, where AKRSP (India) played a major role, but defi nitely not the only role.

D

M I

RURAL INEQUITIES N

O G

R (CASTE, CLASS, GENDER) P

• Forestry •

Education PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) The beauty of most new and path-breaking ideas is that Water Resource after they are shared; most people fi nd them very obvious. Skill Bulding Management Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), and its evolution into PRA is an & Placement Soil and Water approach which facilitates rural, illiterate communities to share Conservation the tremendous knowledge they have in a form which does not require literacy. Robert Chambers and Gordan Conway brought RRA to AKRSP, but AKRSP (India) modifi ed it to a AKRSP (India)’s development approach has two main goals. They are, organising people for collective action, and addressing rural more participatory approach by involving the community inequities. Keeping these goals in mind, it undertakes the following interventions and activities: in the analysis and planning from the information they had articulated. The fi rst PRA’s by AKRSP (India) took place in Lathodara and Arena villages in Junagadh, Gujarat. In 1988, Non-formal Education Alternate Energy Agriculture Water Resource simultaneously, MYRADA and DDS in the south were also • Early Childhood • Biogas • Organic Farming Management evolving RRA into Participatory Learning Approaches (PLA) Development • Windmills • Promotion of • Lift Irrigation etc. Many innovations evolved: wealth ranking, topical PRA Centers(ECD) • Solar Lighting Systems Biopesticides and • Small & Large Water etc. An International workshop on PRA at Kabripathar village • Learning Support Organic compost Harvesting Structures in tribal Gujarat in 1990 brought together many practioners, Centers (LSC) Savings and Credit • Horticulture • Micro Irrigation Systems and much new learning. Now PRA is a part of the way most • Family Literacy Groups • Creeper vegetable • Group wells outsiders understand a rural community and is a mandatory • Seasonal Hostels • Self Help Groups cultivation • Participatory part of most participatory government programmes. • Community Based • Input supply Irrigation Savings Groups • System of Rice Management Service Unit (Vadvai) Intensifi cation (SRI ) • River Basin • Capacity Building Non-Farm Livelihoods • Experiments with Management • Exposure salinity • Evaluation • Animal husbandry Soil and Water • Bamboo crafts resistant crops Conservation • Skill building & • Vermicompost Research and • Land Levelling Placement (Yuva Junction) • Crop Protection Communication Tower • Contour Bunding • Studies on Field • Deep Ploughing Forestry • Group wire fencing Implementation • Joint Forest • Outreach Activities Management • Radio and audio visuals • Farm Forestry • Documentation and dissemination

03 04 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Joint Forest Management (JFM) Community Contribution in Irrigation PIM (Participatory Irrigation Management) Extension Volunteer (EV) AKRSP (India) found that the tribal communities were In the 1980’s and 1990’s percolation tanks were In 1988, AKRSP (India) which had constructed lift In his book `Two ears of Corn’, Mr. Roland Bunch in South effective in raising and protecting their own forests. constructed as part of drought relief work and the irrigation cooperatives in tribal Gujarat, realized that America shared his then novel approach of using village Many NGOs in the country and the forest department irrigation department constructed check dams with its many canal irrigation projects had submerged tribal youth to do large scale agriculture extension. AKRSP in Haryana and West Bengal were already adopting the own funds, with no involvement of the community. Most land but delivered little irrigation benefi ts. Community (India), seeking to include local communities more in its community managed forest approach. The knowledge of NGOs did not get involved in such `hardware’ activities. involvement in canal management had scattered pilots Natural Resource Management (NRM) work, found this self initiated forest protection groups all over the country AKRSP (India) realized that water harvesting was the (Mohini in Gujarat, surviving traditional systems in a good answer. Pilots started with the Soil and Water reinforced the concept. However, all these initiatives key to agriculture in western Gujarat. It focused on Himachal Pradesh etc) Community involvement was Conservation (SWC) in 1989. Programme managers in had no legal support from the Forest Department. The communities contributing to check dam site identifi cation, piloted in a small scheme - Pingot in Bharuch district. AKRSP (India) was quickly adopted by other programmes. concept of JFM was mooted by AKRSP (India), SPWD and supervision and maintenance costs. The fi rst check dam Its success led to many more PIM project in tribal Like PRA, once adopted, it was so obvious that in the other stakeholders and the Government of India passed with community contribution (village Amrapur) and Gujarat and many government resolutions creating undulating terrains where each fi eld has variables slopes the JFM Government Resolution (GR) in 1990, which percolation tank (village Sapar) took numerous meetings space for community involvement in canal management. and soil, soil conservation and agriculture extension encouraged a partnership between communities, Forest as there was no precedent. Since these structures Partnership between irrigation department, communities would require a highly contextualized approach where Department and a facilitating NGO. The national JFM GR were primarily for ground water recharge and not and NGOs became formalized. This eventually led to the local knowledge was much more relevant. In addition, was used as a template for many other states to have direct irrigation, convincing communities was diffi cult. PIM Act being passed in 2004 (thanks to substantial work the technology and knowledge was available to the JFM resolutions - and for a decade, there was progress, Perseverance paid off and it became a norm in all the by another NGO – Development Support Centre). community forever, unlike NGO/Government staff who though erratic. The Ford Foundation and SPWD played works of AKRSP (India). Other NGO’s learnt lessons and NGO collaboration in PIM is part of state policy and left after the work was done. a pioneering role in supporting country-wide initiatives. added new elements. This prompted a community friendly schemes, with fi nancial support provided for community Support by the Forest Department declined over time, approach in the Irrigation department. Pioneering work facilitation - a feature unique to Gujarat. PIM was also Getting village organizations to select and pay for EV’s was communities lost faith as the harvesting and usufructuary by other water activists eventually led to a large scale scaled up in other states like AP etc and is now part of a key process of local accountability. NGO’s elsewhere rights took ages for approval. Though the Forest Rights decentralized water harvesting programme in Gujarat - national policy. used a similar concept - calling these local extension Act (FRA) was brought in recently to address the which eventually led to higher agricultural growth rates workers `Jaankar’ or “Animator” etc. Since 2000, Para- inequity in JFM, its limited success shows that unless the in water scarce western Gujarat. workers or Community Resource Persons (CRP’s) are Forest Department is restructured, tribal communities now a part of all donor/government programmes. getting equal space in the forests that they inhabit will always show uncertain progress.

05 06 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 STATE REPORT - GUJARAT

Rajkot Porbandar

Girls of Khintala village welcoming Peter French during the inauguration ceremony

Navsari Dangs

In 2012, 130 new village institutions were formed in Gujarat. Inauguration Of “Rural Sewerage and Sewage All the activities done with the existing village institutions Treatment System” at Khintala, Surendranagar were directed to lead them towards achieving self reliance. Khintala village in Sayla Taluka of Surendranagar inaugurated its In the programme areas, AKRSP (India) continued with its sewage treatment systems. The joint venture between AKRSP interventions, most of which were focused on benefi ting (India) and British Maritime Trust (BMT) was inaugurated in the poorest communities. In the South Gujarat Programme the presence of dignitaries including Mr. U. R. Pandya (CEO, Area, the System of Rice Intensifi cation was adopted by 2,420 WASMO) and Mr. Peter French (Chief Executive, BMT farmers; while the interventions of agriculture input supply Group) along with several representatives of AKRSP (India), and vegetable cultivation gained more momentum by reaching BMT, members of the Village Sanitation Committee, Village 2,312 and 287 farmers, respectively. Panchayat and opinion leaders. At the ceremony, Mr. Peter French expressed that “our desire has been to use our skills, In Junagadh and Surendranagar Programme Areas, knowledge and expertise to make a real difference to the interventions directed towards ensuring access of poorest quality of life and health of thousands of people”. The project households to safe drinking water were further strengthened. provided resources for design and implementation of a low- During the year, 221 new RRWHS were constructed and cost, scalable sewerage and sewage treatment system, which is 1,145 samples were tested at the government certifi ed water aimed to substantially reduce the risk of water borne diseases testing laboratory. Also, to promote health and hygiene, 2,606 caused due to open drains in the village streets. sanitation units were built. The Visitors’ Diary In Surendranagar Programme Area, a new intervention of In Tribal South Gujarat several senior functionaries from seasonal hostel was initiated to help the children of migrating NABARD visited the project villages to review and evaluate population with continued education facilities. Nearly 162 the progress of the WADI, SRI and Natueco farming projects. children were enrolled at the seasonal hostels during 2012. Furthermore, Mr. Ranjan Chaudhary, Director of the National Skill Development Council too visited to understand skill During the year, the Community Training and Learning Centres development work being done. Also, functionaries from (CTLCs) trained 1,596 individuals on computer as well as soft WASMO visited the programme area. skills, and 279 people obtained employment. Dignitories studying the Khintala village map

07 08 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 STATE REPORT: MADHYA PRADESH

CEO of Burhanpur Zila Panchayat along with executive Engineer of MNREGA (bhopal) interacting with the horticultuire farmers

In 2012, AKRSP (India)’s key focus in Madhya Pradesh The Visitors’ Diary Programme Area has been to nurture its interventions in During the year, several dignitaries from various renowned watershed development, animal husbandry, savings and credit bodies visited our programme areas to evaluate, review and groups, forestry based livelihoods and agriculture. During study our programs. The fi eld was abuzz with guests from the year, 687 hectares land was covered under watershed various government departments and other NGOs visiting the interventions. 12 check dams, 42 boribandhs, and 49 farm areas. The guest list included Collectors and Chief Executive ponds have been constructed to benefi t the poorest farmers. Offi cers of Burhanpur and Khandwa Zila panchayats, Executive Engineer of Bhopal’s NREGS State Council, Deputy Director Vegetable cultivation was promoted with 2,375 farmers of Horticulture (Burhanpur), District Project Coordinator while agriculture input supply was provided to 6,369 of Khargone and Barwani Watershed Mission, DDM of households. Also, to promote use of organic fertilizer and NABARD (Khandwa), representatives from SDTT and AGM optimize agricultural produce, amrit pani was demonstrated of NABARD (Bhopal) amongst others. with 803 benefi ciaries. Further, promotion of goat rearing with the poorest and landless Korku farmers in Khandwa programme area continued with additional support, through para veterinarians in villages on a cost recovery basis. Focus was laid on reducing the mortality among goats by improving the nutrition and vaccination, primary healthcare and breed improvement. In 2012, 256 people got trained in computer skills and 106 people got placements.

CEO of Khandwa Zila Panchayat interacting with community members

09 10 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 STATE REPORT: BIHAR

During 2012, AKRSP (India) consolidated its work in Bihar. Conglomeration of Rural Youth From Three States A total of 144 new Community Based Savings Groups were In a one-of-its-kind event, eighty young people (aged eighteen to promoted to provide basic fi nancial literacy and smoothening Ranjan Chaudhary, Manju Dhasmana and Apoorva Oza unveiling Yuva Junction’s logo and fi rst part of Go Getters Compilation of consumption needs. In the domain of education, the 42 thirty one) assembled in Patna to participate in a forum, jointly Learning Support Centres (LSCs) have been supported to organized by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) and nurture independent learning abilities of children in the age Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd, to chart a collective action group 6-11 years and 42 Early Childhood Development plan for helping underprivileged youth bridge the opportunity Centres (ECDs) with trained mother teachers have been divide. These young people from the states of Bihar, Gujarat and established for children in the age group of 3-6 years. Further, Madhya Pradesh were youth whose lives have been positively an intervention of Reading For Children (RFC) has also been infl uenced by the Community Based Techonology and Learning initiated with 1,240 children. Centers (CTLCs) in the last fi ve years. They shared their life changing experiences at the forum. During the year, the Community Based Technology Learning The event was inaugurated by Mr. Ranjan Chaudhary (Principal Centres (CTLCs) imparted skill development to 975 students. Secretary, National Skill Development Corporation) and was Agriculture interventions included scaling up of vegetable graced by dignitaries from Tata Consulting Services (TCS), cultivation with more than 2,000 farmers. Also, vermi compost Microsoft India, UNDP, PARFI (PanIIT Reach For India) and other was taken up with 206 additional farmers. To promote health leading NGOs. Also, senior government representatives from and prevent diseases, AKRSP (India) constructed 634 platforms Bihar Rural Livelihoods Programme, Planning and Development around hand pumps to drain away the excess water, and (Government of Bihar), and State society for Ultra Poor and constructed 130 individual toilet units. Solar lanterns were Social Welfare attended the event. promoted benefi ting nearly 1,084 households. The Visitors’ Diary During the year several dignitaries from various sectors visited our programme area including Mr. Suresh Chanchal Sakra (MLA), Mr. Nasir Munjhi (MLA), members from National Council, Mr. Bhaskar Datta (TISS), Mr. Raghwendar Jha (Director, Mahadalit Vikas Mission – Bihar), and Mr. Nageswar Sharma (Executive Engineer, Public Health & Engineering Department, Samastipur). Members of National Council in a village meeting

11 12 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITIES

Following are the main achievements of SHGs during 2012 alcoholism amongst men etc. Empowerment is a continuous process and is best understood by the actions of those empowered. • Collective additional savings of INR 13 million AKRSP(I) seeks to empower rural communities through collectivization as well as promotion of • Additional credit disbursement of INR four million Similarly, the fi ve Mahila Manchs in Surendranagar Programme individual enterprise .Leadership development is a key component of this process. AKRSP(I) has found • 125 new SHGs formed Area also laid emphasize on ensuring self reliance. They have that Collectives which have been empowered to manage a component of their lives; whether it is • 1,024 SHGs (including 206 SHGs of poorest) linked to been undertaking responsibilities for forming new Groups, fi nancial services or drinking water or agriculture development, gradually apply the knowledge to banks establishing linkages with banks, renting agriculture equipments (like tractors) and enabling villagers to get various entitlements resolve other problems they face, whether it is education or government entitlements. On the other In South Gujarat Programme Area, the Mahila Manchs have like widow pension and voter identity cards. hand, overloading community organizations with the objectives of the promoter at the initial stages continued to play a pivotal role in forming and reviving Groups. reduces their effectiveness and self-confi dence. The key is to start slowly, and surely, and then provide They have formed 82 new groups in Sagbara, Dediapada and Bihar space to them to grow faster. Many interventions are better sustained through individual entrepreneurs Mahuva clusters. While in Junagadh Programme Area, the major focus was on strengthening the internal systems for In Bihar Programme Area, Community Based Savings Groups rather than Collectives, and AKRSP(I) has supported villagers to become entrepreneurs for micro- self reliance of 248 SHGs. Emphasis was laid on accessing (CBSGs) have been expanding their reach to the poorest. A irrigation promotion, hand-pump repairs etc. funds from mainstream fi nancial institutions by developing total of 2,803 women (of which about 1,900 members are and leveraging linkages. The Manchs or Sanghs (as they are Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes and minority, rest from referred to in local language) have facilitated various income other backward classes) from 144 Groups in 238 hamlets generation programmes and have initiated activities to address were part of the process for building village institutions. The social concerns. As for example, Akhand Mahila Shakti Sangh project of disbursing solar lanterns, as a part of developing of Maliya facilitated two income generation programmes on entrepreneurship, has been a major success. catering and making of leather purses giving 39 benefi ciaries • Collective additional savings of more than INR 2.50 lacs a source of livelihood. Further, they have continued to deal • Inter-loaning by 329 members amounting to more than with cases relating to domestic violence, trust issues between INR 1.70 lacs couples and women’s property rights. The Sangh has also • 106 new CBSGs formed in Bandra and Aurai blocks of been instrumental in setting-up a Community Based Training Muzaffarpur district and Learning Centre (CTLC) in Maliya block; the Mahila • Overall 250 new CBSGs have been formed Manchs of Maliya and Mangrol have facilitated members to access government schemes, have spread awareness on Madhya Pradesh women rights, and have been dealing with equity concerns amongst others. With due permission from DRDA, they Following are the main achievements of CBSGs during 2012 are operating a twice-a-week resource centre at District • Total savings mobilized by the community is INR 5.70 Panchayat’s premises to disseminate information on existing million and upcoming government schemes and processing of various • 126 new SHGs have been formed legal documents. • Nearly 20 per cent of the SHGs meet their operational costs through member contribution Micro Finance Helps Siddi Women Regain Confi dence And Self Esteem, Reveals Study During the year, the two SHG federations were further A study conducted on outcomes of the savings and credit Women members of a Community Based Savings Group during their monthly meeting strengthened through improved linkages with banks and activities amongst marginalized Siddi women revealed local government agencies. The federation in Dedtalai has Overview Gujarat signifi cant changes in their quality of life - especially relating been allotted land by the government for having its own to personality development, improved family income as well In 2012, AKRSP(I) focused on three processes: offi ce in Dahinda village. In addition to lending their support Two producer companies got registered, and many more were as declined dependency on moneylenders and Gir forest. The to the member SHGs, these federations are also working to 1) Making older CBO’s self-reliant and independent (in older awaiting registration. Farmer producers have been organized study further reveals that the exposure and knowledge shared regions of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh) generate awareness on issues of social concern like alcoholism, around production and marketing of pulses (pigeon-pea), has helped these women to live their lives with dignity, pride, illegal soil excavation as well as improve services related to mango and vegetables in south Gujarat while in Saurashtra and has enhanced their self esteem which was low because primary education, public distribution systems and MGNREGS 2) Promoting new CBO’s(in new regions), especially new they are organized around cotton cultivation and vegetables. of the centuries of oppression. types of CBO’s for agriculture extension and marketing entitlements amongst others. The saving and credit programme has drastically reduced the number of households dependent The 16 women’s federations, and the many multi-village During discussions, benefi ciaries engaged in small scale business 3) Supporting the growth of existing CBO’s. on moneylenders and a large numbers of women members issue-based federations for salinity prevention and river-basin acknowledged that their net annual income has increased are now dealing with banking systems independently. Some of Overall 4,434 CBO’s were active by the end of this year, with treatment became self-reliant and models for farmers in the by nearly INR 4,800; and those practicing animal husbandry the SHGs have started participating in the Gram Sabhas, they 62 per cent being Women’s Groups. Bihar showed the highest newer areas where AKRSP(I) expanded. Most of the 2,250 have reported an increase of approximately INR 10,000. The have started playing their role in planning and implementation and fastest growth in numbers with the promotion of the Self Help Groups (SHGs) comprise of women’s groups, which credit availability at nominal interest rates has reduced their of fl agship programme like MGNREGA. Efforts are being women’s savings groups. are now linked to Mahila Manchs (Women’s Federations). The dependency on moneylenders. Also, their dependency on made to link the 401 functional SHGs, comprising of 5,977 Manchs play a signifi cant role in monitoring the performances Gir forest has declined because of the change in fi rewood households, with banks. With the panchayat elections in Gujarat, many leaders of the and developing the capacities of these SHGs. Majority of the consumption pattern (from selling for livelihood to collection village groups promoted by AKRSP(I) contested and won Mahila Manchs in Gujarat Programme Area are now fi nancially for meeting domestic energy needs). Along with these, the elections. 96 members of Village Institutions were elected as self reliant. They have initiated and directly supported most of Siddi women have also gathered confi dence to address larger The canal irrigation societies liaise independently with the PRI members / Sarpanch in Gadu, Sayla and Netrang area. the new SHGs formed during 2012. social concerns like education, women rights, gambling and irrigation department. 13 14 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS - ON FARM

TRIAD OF INTERVENTIONS: As shown below,agriculture development has 3 major goals 1)Enhanced food and nutrition security 2)Enhanced and sustained agriculture incomes 3)Reduced risks for farmers who battle weather,pest,animal(grazing by wild ungulates) and price risks.

Agri-extension and Appropriate institutions

Financial services, NRM interventions Agri-inputs and Land development Marketing support and irrigation Enhanced food security,

Sustained agriculture The new PIM at Vansda, South Gujarat incomes, Reduced risks Water Resource Management under micro irrigation – especially sprinkler irrigation. The In Junagadh Programme Area, Kharash Niyantran Mahasangh experiences of Micro Irrigation System have been extended (Mangrol) has taken up a task to revive 22 kilometer long to coastal villages of Jamnagar and Porbandar districts. extension canal, which passes through 18 villages of Mangrol Natural Resource Management Interventions and Maliya block to meet Arabian Sea. This extension is MGNREGS Work In Madhya Pradesh Programme expected to signifi cantly infl uence livelihood of nearly 500 Area Soil and Moisture Conservation have been provided. Further, two mobile engines have been families. Also, subsequently emphasis has been laid on low cost provided to tribal farmers of Dediapada, fi ve in Mandvi and recharge structures – wherein 11 well sealing, 14 recharge During 2012, processes for implementation of MGNREGS Farm Bunding and Nala Plugging six in Sagbara to facilitate support irrigation through existing wells and 240 bore wells have been constructed. The core activities supported through the project have been signifi cantly In Netrang Programme Area, 13 benefi ciaries have been Water Resource Development (WRD) structures. Also, a group in Maliya has constructed three bori bundhs and 34 strengthened. Fund requisition was ascertained by organizing facilitated with farm bunds and nala plugs, and 33 gabions have borewell with submersible engine has been constructed in recharge pits in fi ve villages. These works have been done in gram sabhas, completed works were measured and quarterly been made for the benefi t of 28 farmers in three villages. In Umarpada for the Kotwaliya benefi ciaries. coordination with village level bodies like Jal Bachav Juth. updation of MIS/ reporting systems were done in collaboration Dangs Programme Area, farm bunding has been done on 160 with Government of Madhya Pradesh to reduce delays in hectares of land benefi ting 281 farmers; nala plugging on six In Madhya Pradesh Programme Area, 54 mobile engines have In South Gujarat Programme Area, a check dam is being payments to households engaged with the MGNREGS work. hectares for 29 farmers and 44 gabions have been constructed been provided to the benefi ciaries. constructed in Sagbara block. The Secretaries of watershed development committees were for the benefi t of 37 benefi ciaries in six villages. also imparted training on accounting system in MGNREGS Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) In Bihar Programme Area, two ponds have been constructed villages. In Madhya Pradesh Programme Area, 687 hectares of land has In South Gujarat Programme Area, two Lift Irrigation Schemes in the Chaur (water logged) area for promotion of farm- been treated to augment its quality through interventions like (LIS) have been constructed to benefi t nearly 200 farmers. based livelihoods and pisciculture through integrated water Agriculture Extension and Appropriate nala plugging, deep ploughing, farm bunding and land leveling. Eight Canal Irrigation Societies (CIS) at Juj and Kelia projects management. The activities have been initiated by the Chaur Also, 275 gabions and 42 bori bandhs have been built. in Vansada have continued PIM. Two of these CIS have started Development Committee (CDC) promoted by AKRSPI which Instituitions: getting rebates from the government for timely payment of works in collaboration with the village Panchayat.PRI’s from Scaling Up SRI water charges. Also, the work on Sadhali PIM (initiated in other villages are now lobbying with the Block panchayat to In the year gone by, SRI was practiced with 2,420 farmers Water Resource Development for Irrigation 2011) has made much progress in 2012. It has covered 258 get ponds approved under MGNREGA ;many have been through support of respective Mahila Manchs. Also, with inputs Water For Irrigation hectares of cultivable command area under irrigation, which approved so far. such as cono-weeder and vermin-compost, SRI practice has Mobile Engines has resulted in substantial increase in agricultural incomes been scaled up in three blocks of South Gujarat Programme In Dangs Programme Area, eight private wells (each benefi ting (three to four times in some cases). In Madhya Pradesh Micro Irrigation System Area. Further, it was introduced with 679 farmers from across atleast fi ve farmers) have been renovated and converted into Programme Area, seven CIS have adopted a PIM approach During 2012, in Junagadh Programme Area, the entrepreneur 41 villages of Mandvi, Vansada and Ahwa blocks under a new group wells. Also, 16 mobile engines and connective pipelines and the irrigation staff is giving a positive response. has brought 288 hectares of land, belonging to 145 farmers, three-year project.

15 16 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

In South Gujarat Programme Area, vermi-compost has been innovative practices like Amrit Pani and Amrit Khad for In Dangs, creeper vegetables have been promoted with 30 In Bihar Programme Area, System of Wheat Intensifi cation prepared by 16 farmers and 257 benefi ciaries have adopted application in majority of their crops farmers from across seven villages. (SWI), System of Rice Intensifi cation (SRI), vermin compost Landless Garden practice. For expanding horticulture activities, • Bori bagicha and Kitchen garden intervention with 701 pit for organic farming, Kisan Bandhu Pump (KB pump) for mango grafts were given to 20 benefi ciaries and crops were poorest households in 16 villages to provide nutritional In Junagadh Programme Area, the village institutions continued minor irrigation, Intensifi ed Vegetable Cultivation (IVC), promoted in two villages where Lift Irrigation Schemes have security to the assisted families. to fetch income by renting the grading machine and selling the Kitchen Garden (KG) and Landless Garden (LG) are being been constructed. Under a new ‘Integrated Wadi Development implemented with marginal farmers, share-croppers and Production of improved normal compost such as “Amrit graded produce in the market. Discussions with the farmers Project’, 173 farmers from across 33 villages of Umarpada and landless people. During 2012, 231 benefi ciaries practiced Khaad”, Vermi-compost and “Amrit pani” were taken up with revealed that the value of their produces increased by 15 to Mangrol taluka in Surat district have been provided with 44 landless garden where as 200 households opted for kitchen 425 farmers out of an overall coverage of 3,000 farmers. 20 per cent post grading. fruit grafts, vermin compost and creeper essentials. Further, garden. Also, activities for Intensifi ed Vegetable Cultivation Amrit Pani and Amrit Khad are gaining high acceptance vegetable (tomato, brinjal and chilly) seeds were given to 48 (IVC) were undertaken, which reached 1,116 – 1,424 – 645 among farmers due to their easy production processes and benefi ciaries who have raised saplings through raised bed. In Surendranagar Programme Area, 149 farmers from 47 benefi ciaries (respectively) during the three seasons. 206 effectiveness in controlling pests, enhancing plant growth. Creeper vegetables and intercropping is also being promoted villages have benefi ted from the drip pool fund. The total vermi compost pits were constructed in the programme area. Some of the major learning from the fi rst year of action amongst existing benefi ciaries. area coverage has been 459 acres. To ensure timely recovery To further strengthen the interventions, 34 Kisan Vikas Samitis research includes the following: of loans, a recovery based incentive system has been (KVS) were formed and 148 farmer trainings were conducted We launched one such comprehensive pilot with RRA in the 1. Increased availability of water through improved soil implemented wherein the incentive given to the para worker during the year. Khaknar Block in the south-east of the district of Burhanpur and water conservation measures such as farm bunds, check is directly linked to the recovery of loans from the farmers. of Madhya Pradesh in 2012. Some initiatives taken up during dams, farm ponds, provision of mobile pump sets led to sowing The model has shown positive impact as the loan recovery In Madhya Pradesh Programme Area, use of Amrit Pani this period in consultation with the concerned RRA thematic of an additional crop in place of single cropping has been registered at 114 per cent. Further, documents of (an organic pesticide) was intensively piloted with 657 anchors and our agriculture experts’ advice included the 67 new farmers are being processed for providing fresh loans, benefi ciaries and in most cases was combined with System Of following: 2. Provision of organic alternatives like amrit pani and which will cover an area of 212 acres. In April 2012, we have Crop Intensifi cation. The application of Amrit Pani has reduced amrit khad has substantially reduced agricultural production signed an agreement with Cotton Connect for imparting farmers’ expenses on chemical pesticides and has helped avert • Mapping productivity gap through fi eld research costs as well as improved productivity by 30 – 50 per cent in extensive trainings on ‘better cotton production practices’ to its negative effects on both - environment and personal health. • Developing package of improved practices for major both food and cash crops 2,000 cotton growing farmers through formation of Learning crops like soybean, cotton, maize and chilies in consultation Groups in Wankaner block of Rajkot district. Also, a Producers Further, to ensure nutritional security for poorest and landless with farmers and experts 3. Incorporating a better package of cultivation practices Company of cotton growing farmers was formed and 35 households, bori bagicha (landless kitchen gardens) was • Developing a cadre of community resource persons and like multi tier cropping systems including sowing soybean and Village Development Committees were converted into promoted with 2,375 benefi ciaries. Also, 312 horticulture enhancing their capabilities for better implementation of pigeon pea together led to better returns and better soil Farmers’ Club. orchards have been implemented during the year. the programmes health management as well • Helping farmers to reduce cost of production by adopting

Farmer making amrit pani to intensify his agricultural production, organically Landless Gardens have provided nutritional security to various poor landless tribals

17 18 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Financial Services, Agri-Input Supply and ENHANCING NON FARM LIVELIHOODS marketing support A substantial chunk of population in our programme areas can be termed as ultra poor, who does not Financial services and agri-input supply posses any land. They are at the base of economic and social pyramid. With a focus to improve the In villages where there is agriculture extension as well as self- economic and social standing of this landless population and ensure them with a means of non farm help group promotion,women access credit(from group savings livelihood, we undertake interventions including skill development and computer training. or banks)for input supply during the kharif season.Substantial proportion of the credit accessed by womens groups is for agriculture operations. Farmer and womens federations,and women self-help groups manage agri-input supply in many of the older villages in tribal areas.The major input supply activity is now in MP, where women SHG’s procured inputs for 6,369 farmers.

In newer areas like dangs,where SHG’s have yet to mature,the village development group manages the input supply activity. Seeds and fertilizers for 892 benefi ciaries were procured in 17 villages. Through such input supply, farmers have saved expenditure of approximately INR 30 – 50 from one kg seeds and INR 50 – 100 from one bag of fertilizer.

In South Gujarat Programme Area, hybrid seeds and plastic bags have been procured by villagers to pilot Landless Garden. 2,273 farmers from across 88 villages of Netrang Programme Area have benefi ted from the input supply done by apex institutions.,

Agriculture marketing 56 farmers from across 13 villages have benefi ted from A villager from Kotwaliya community crafting his source of livelihood through bamboo furniture collective marketing of 15 metric ton mangoes. And a group of 12 farmers were taken on an exposure visit to better understand the grading of mangoes. Bamboo Crafts AKRSP (India)’s fi rst focused engagement with rural youth was an outcome of the emerging livelihood challenges faced by In collaboration with the Tribal Development Department, we have been helping the artisans from the Kotwaliya community rural youth; many of whom would not get jobs despite being Reducing risk educated. Discussions revealed that there was a digital divide; Wire Fencing to build on their traditional skills for producing bamboo crafts and furniture for the urban markets. The Kotwaliya community, because rural youth had little exposure and access to computer In Junagadh Programme Area, with active involvement of the skills, and because urban jobs required computer skills, they Mahasangh, solar based wire fencing has been done across classifi ed as a Primitive Tribal Group (PTG), is one of the poorest tribal communities in Gujarat. Its traditional source of were excluded from many opportunities in manufacturing and 245.4 acres of land benefi ting 62 farmers. In Surendranagar , services sector in a growing India. To avail benefi t of this skill wire fencing was undertaken with 73 farmers in 30 villages to livelihood has been the production and local sale of bamboo products like baskets and winnowers. With the deterioration demand, in 2007, AKRSP (India) entered into a partnership protect their agricultural crops from wild herbivores like nilgai with Microsoft under its Unlimited Potential Programmeto and wild boars. of local forests and the proliferation of cheap alternative plastic products, Kotwaliyas have been migrating as unskilled labour. set-up Community-Based Technology and Learning Centers During the last two years, more than 125 Kotwaliya households (CTLC) across rural contexts in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Weather Insurance have been provided training to manufacture bamboo furniture and Bihar for providing computer skills to youth and facilitate In Junagadh Programme Area, 13 farmers from seven villages befi tting the demands of the urban markets. To boost the sales, employment. got insurance for their 2 acres of land. Further, due to weak linkages made in the previous year were further strengthened monsoon, all the farmers from Mangrol block are eligible to Gradually the initiative witnessed an organic evolution. It during 2012. The unit had also taken up a project of building get payout moved up the value chain from being “skill supply”to “demand a bamboo hut in Surat District for promoting Agro Tourism driven”. And hence, came the role of polishing the skill-sets, besides crafts and furniture making. Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) and confi dence of rural youth to enhance their employability and acceptability in the urban set-ups. To enhance pulse production in rain fed areas through formation of farmers’ group and ensuring its appropriate The Centres that were set-up to bring technology closer to marketing through Producer Company, we have undertaken a rural youth are now venturing into other dimensions, as well. central government project titled ‘Small Farmers Agri-Business They provide services for skill development, non-IT trainings, Consortium (SFAC)’ and have covered 1,000 farmers across entrepreneurship guidelines, placement assistance and 23 villages of Valia and Jhagadiya in Bharuch district. information provision amongst others.

19 20 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Yuva Junction With the expansion of the services being offered, a need was felt to have a separate unit within AKRSP (India) that will encompass all the activities focused on ‘youth’. Hence, emerged YUVA JUNCTION.

Community Based Technology Learning Centers including 57 in BPO units of Vodafone and TCS in urban areas. (CTLCs) Further, the CTLC also trained 120 youths on computers and personality development with the support from the District In the year gone-by, a new brand has been established known Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Junagadh. In the remote as “Yuva Junction”, which shall encompass all the youth-related areas, the centres continued to spread information through interventions and activities. On the same ideology, CTLC now SMS on employment, market prices for agriculture produces becomes a part of the bigger umbrella, Yuva Junction. and upcoming batch information amongst others. During the year, nearly 7,629 individuals accessed mobile-based- Region No. of Students Students Placed information and 729 youth have accessed these centres for Trained one line job searching and applications. South Gujarat Tribal 447 194 Area The CTLC centers in Surendranagar Programme Area have trained 286 students including 47 girls (16 per cent). These Computer training enlightening lives and empowering dreams of several youths across our programme areas Saurashtra and Gadu 1149 85 centres have generated revenue covering nearly 50 per cent Madhya Pradesh 256 106 of its total operational expenditure. However, due to fi nancial Bihar 1079 55 constraints, centers at Nagadka, Chotila and Jasdan were closed Further, we have set-up Village Information Centres at Pilkhi and Pusa on pilot basis. These centres are internet based Total 2931 440 down in 2012. And the center at Wankaner is projected to run on cost recovery basis. single window delivery system which disseminates reliable and relevant information for various government schemes Gujarat and other that are of special use for migrants. These centres Bihar are designed to ultimately lead towards economic growth and In South Gujarat Programme Area, the CTLCs have scaled- In Bihar Programme Area, 975 students have attended the prosperity. up and are widening their reach to varied interest groups various courses offered at the CTLCs. 74 students have through four centers and two sub-centers. On the Placement undergone the mobile repairing training – a part of non Madhya Pradesh front, a customized training was organized by Tata Consultancy Information Technology course under the Skill Development Services (TCS), which was well attended by 43 tribal youth. The Programme. Some of the trained students have started mobile In Madhya Pradesh Programme Area, CTLCs have provided Centres have also started services to help students prepare repairing shops as a part of individual entrepreneurship and computer education and skill building training to 256 students. for Teachers’ Eligibility Test and Spoken English. Further, a job income generation activities. Further, 30 students are also Off these, 106 trained students have been placed with various fair was organized at Dangs, which was attended by companies engaged in computer related data entry and typing work at the government and private set-ups. Special emphasize was laid on like CNI, Maruti and ICA. In this fair, nearly 10,000 tribal youth Pusa Block Offi ce; and 14 unemployed youth have been linked making the programme more affordable for rural, tribal youth. registered themselves with these participating companies. with FINO. Training on masonry had been organized to train The programme has been able to recover almost half of its the community members who have some basic knowledge total operational expenditure. In Junagadh Programme Area, the three centres and nine sub about construction and had opened a bank account (with centers have trained a total of 943 students on various short regular savings) to address the consumption loan of tool kit and / or long term software related curriculums. During 2011, a and others. Medical insurance for few of the members was linkage was developed with TCS to provide specialized training facilitated by us from this revolving fund. In all, 34 benefi ciaries for English improvement, personality development, reasoning have been trained for masonry. Efforts are being ensured to and interview skills. During 2012, 245 rural youth were given register trainees for masonry, get jobs at construction sites of the designed specialized training. Off them, 85 got placements government as well as private projects.

21 22 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION drawn for school mapping and capacity building of teachers seasonal hostels for children (in the age group of 6-14 years) We believe education is the backbone of society. Thus, to facilitate the future generations with to help them intervene with the government system. Work is of migrants including Bharvad, Rabari, Devipujak and Koli knowledge power, we have been strengthening our education related interventions. The scope of our in progress to draw the list of government schools intended communities. interventions include pre-primary and primary education for the underprivileged, seasonal hostel for for the intervention. As a part of the initial sensitization the children of migrants, and making school drop-outs, especially adolescent girls, re-join their schools programme, 21 school mappings and 68 meetings with the The project is being supported by Government’s Sarva Shiksha government school teachers have been conducted. Abhiyan (SSA) programme. Other stakeholders involved in the for family literacy. The geographical coverage of our education interventions includes Samastipur project are American India Foundation (AIF), Tata Chemicals and Muzaffarpur districts in Bihar programme area and Chotila and Wankaner in Saurashtra, Gujarat Reading For Children (RFC) Ltd and Shri Rajshobhag Ashram, Sayla. Nearly 165 children programme area. With an aim to support children’s language development and (with boys to girls ratio of 65:35) have enrolled for the hostels. enthusiasm for learning, the Reading For Children programme Hostel warden, cook, a project coordinator and two project was initated for marginalized population in select programme supervisors have already been appointed. areas of Bihar. The programme is designed on the belief that families are the primary agents for ensuring young children’s Child Rights’ Protection wellbeing. The approach is effective in helping neo-literates In August 2011, a project was initiated with UNICEF’s funding retain, improve and have fun using their skills, as well as building support to protect the rights of (school drop-out) children in young children’s opportunity to use and enjoy books – the cotton growing areas of Rajkot district. At present, the project is fundamental pre-requisite of learning to read with ease. being implemented in 100 villages of Wankaner block in Rajkot Collectively, the programme is being implemented in 30 district. AKRSP (India)’s major tasks in the project are to identify centers (LSCs with ECD facility) benefi ting 1,240 children. the vulnerable families, dropout children and child labourers, generate awareness on child rights among parents, school Seasonal Hostels For Children Of Migrants teachers and children through formation of Child Protection Committee (CPC), and Adolescents Girls Network (AGN), The education project in Surendranagar programme area Children Group (CG), identify Village Volunteers (VV), training started from 21st November 2012 covering eight villages and capacity building of VV and establish Village Information of Sayla (Sudamada, Sirvaniya, Gopalnagar and Nagadka) Center (VIC). During the period, a total of 11 school children and Chotila (Boriagnesh, Chamundanagar, Nana Kandasar from the marginalized Devipujak community were identifi ed and Tajpar) talukas. Under this project, we are running eight as dropouts and have been put back in schools.

Major highlights of 2012 • Total number of Centres: 42 LSCs, 42 ECDs, 30 RFCs (in Bihar) • Total number of children: 2,932 in LSCs, 1,737 in ECDs, 1,240 in RFCs • School mapping done in 21 schools of rural Bihar

Village children getting an opportunity for education under a project being implemented by us with fi nancial support of UNICEF Regular meetings were organized with 42 Village Siksha Learning Support Centers (LSCs) And Early Samities (VSS) comprising of 364 members. The focus of Childhood Development Centers (ECDs) For these meetings has been to develop a sense of ownership Underprivileged amongst the members as well as acquaint them with their roles and responsibilities for the village development. As In Bihar programme area, the objective of our programme is a positive outcome, VSS members are closely monitoring to capacitate the children and bridge the learning gap vis-à- the performances of teachers at the Centers. Such active vis age, motivate the community to accept the government involvement by VSS members helps to better the education schools as well as encourage the government schools to system being practiced at the Centers. adopt the teaching-learning methods practiced by AKRSP (India). At present, there are 42 LSCs with 2,932 students and Also, in the year gone-by, two Child Fairs (Bal Mela) have 42 ECDs with 1,737 infants enrolled. The ECDs are functioning been organized in Muraul and Pusa for students of LSCs and in temporary structures. In isolated instances, LSCs and ECDs ECDs. Active participation by the children made the Melas an are being conducted in the premises of government schools. eventful affair. All the volunteer teachers of LSCs and ECDs as well as the The education interventions have amplifi ed with CIDA mother teachers are from the community. They are extending (Canadian International Development Agency) extending support for effective implementation of the intervention in the its support to link our education programme with the programme area. government’s mainstream education. Strategies have been A children activity session in progress

23 24 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 REDUCING DRUDGERY AND IMPROVING HEALTH capacity of the pond has increased by 0.52 MCFT (from hard to spread awareness pertaining to water quality – The main objective of our interventions is to reach the rural population that does not have access to 1.27 to 1.79 MCFT). In addition, pond deepening has been especially testing of water samples, sharing of the reports and safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. We strive to reduce water contamination and unsafe completed at two new sites. Also, efforts are ongoing to undertaking follow-up actions based on the results. During hygiene practices as well as increase accessibility to safe drinking water, fuel wood, fodder supply, promote (Roof Rain Water Harvesting Structures) RRWHS the year, chemical and bacteriological tests were done for 515 appropriate sanitation facilities and a better health especially for women in the programme areas. To amongst poorer families and help them harvest rainwater in samples from different water sources like RRWHS, reverse underground tanks. During 2012, Mahila Manch of Mangrol osmosis plants, private wells, village ponds and bore wells, and ensure sustainability of our interventions, we encourage community ownership, government linkages and Maliya along with Pani Samiti of Madhavpur identifi ed and 267 of these samples in 53 villages were found fi t for domestic and partnerships with other like-minded entities. supported 221 families with RRWHS. consumption.

Despite heavy rainfall, the Dangs district faces severe shortage The results of water samples tested are now being shared of drinking water during the summer season. Signifi cant with the health agencies of the local government to help them infrastructure has been developed in the past by government fi x their targets, more closely. The laboratories also worked agencies; however, many of them are currently non-functional. closely with local government health centres and health In the year gone-by, we have reactivated three such existing workers to help them gain a better understanding about the drinking water schemes by repairing the stand post, laying the water quality issues in their respective villages. In collaboration pipelines, and repairing the fi tting accessories. These schemes with Mahila Manchs, health workers were also supported are expected to benefi t households, who otherwise had to in their efforts to enhance awareness on personal hygiene, travel at least half a kilometre on inclined fi elds to fetch water. sanitation and upkeep of drinking water sources. In addition, trained mechanics have repaired 17 hand pumps in 11 villages, which have addressed the water woes of 385 In Bihar Programme Area, the Arghyam supported water benefi ciaries. testing laboratory has been operational in 2012. The main objective of establishing the laboratory is to bring behavioral In Netrang Programme Area, 435 hand pumps were repaired change pertaining to safe drinking water amongst the during the year through trained village-level technicians. These community members. During the year, 649 water sources technicians are linked to Mahila Manchs, who serve as nodal were tested; 607 analyses were shared with the community agencies for gathering information related to the status of members; 579 hand pumps were color coded as per the level hand pumps in the area. The repair costs have been borne of contamination and 93 members were suggested remedial directly by the village Panchayats or the households located measures for potable water. around the hand pumps. Red Mark – Water is non-potable Ensuring water connection right at the household level has helped reduce drudgery of women Hygiene Promotion Yellow Mark – Threat of water contamination Green Mark – Water is potable Drinking Water, Hygiene Promotion and Further, 12 old Pani Samitis were revived. Resolutions were In Bihar Programme Area, we have been promoting platform An affi rmative feature of this activity is the self motivation Sanitation passed in each Pani Samiti for appointment of operator and construction for tube wells, use of water fi lters for safe displayed by the community members. They themselves get regular collection of operational and maintenance charges drinking water and spreading mass awareness on personal Rural women spend a large proportion of their time for the samples to the laboratory and deposit the fees for testing. from the households. During 2012, considerable amount of health and hygiene. During the year, 634 such platforms have collection of drinking water and fuel. This drudgery, along with time was also spent on the capacity building of Pani Samiti been constructed. poor water quality and smoke from fossil fuels, affects the members. Three workshops were organized in collaboration health of the families. Almost 70 per cent of the diseases in with WASMO to orient the newly elected Sarpanchs and rural India are water borne. Low sanitation coverage and poor Water Quality Testing others members on issues such as chlorination in drinking drainage leads to bacterial contamination. The government has water sources, sanitation and hygiene facilities in the villages, During 2012, 994 water samples from various sources were many schemes and Panchayats have been given a greater role. collection of water charges as well as women specifi c concerns. tested at the ISO:9001 certifi ed Nirmala Water Testing We work with Pani Samitis (a sub committee of the Panchayat) Laboratory in Sayla. These tests included 939 chemical tests and Women’s Groups to help communities understand and and 55 bacteriological tests. The samples were brought from address these problems. We also promote technologies. Drinking Water – Infrastructure nearly 510 villages of 10 talukas in Surendranagar district. Based Drinking Water - Institutions In Sayla Programme Area, the ongoing physical work undertaken on the results of the sample analysis, suggestive measures were prescribed to the communities. Overall, the laboratory During the year, 27 decentralised drinking water schemes during 2011 was completed in 2012. It included construction has reached 570 villages during the year. Besides testing the were completed in as many villages benefi ting 7,637 families of storage tank, water supply structure, household water water samples, the laboratory is increasingly working towards including 1,069 families in the salinity-affected villages of supply through pipelines, setting-up of pump house, repairing enhancing awareness levels of rural communities on quality Junagadh programme area. These schemes were implemented of old step well, installation of pumping machine, construction aspects of drinking water. Major clients of the laboratory in collaboration with Water and Sanitation Management of new bore, wire fencing of storage tank and bore well. are WASMO, Gujarat Water Supply and Sanitation Board Organisation (WASMO), a state government agency working (GWSSB), village Panchayats and individual households. on provision of drinking water. Further, we have worked In Junagadh Programme Area, work for augmenting traditional closely with WASMO and village Panchayats to complete the water sources into existing drinking water sources and Further, a smaller testing centre established in Junagadh exit protocol in these villages and hand over the management construction of two percolation tanks is completed in two reached out through the apex level institutions including the and maintenance responsibilities of these structures to the villages. It is anticipated that nearly 740 families will get relief Mahila Manch and the Mahasangh. These institutions worked A community member color coding her hand pump post the water testing communities. from water scarcity during summer as water conservation

25 26 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

was spread among stakeholders through various stress plays, • Privacy and prestige: Majority of the women feel that owning school cleanliness campaigns and trainings. Here, Pani Samitis a sanitation unit in their own compound has saved them from from the concerned villages have played an important role. the humiliation of controlling the urgency, especially at odd times (eg. when guests are visiting). Also, earlier, women had to Total 1246 families (84 TATA–GE by SRTT in Mangrol and request other women to accompany them during nights for 1162 by CADP) were supported for sanitation construction safety concerns. in 24 villages and 324 are under construction by CADP. • Reduced health care expenses: It was shared that gastric Seven focused group discussions were held with 49 women attack due to prolonged controlling of natural pressure was who got sanitation units constructed despite the economic often, 3-4 times in a weak. Normally ENO/bottle soda was constraint. The benefi ciaries belonged to Koli, Harijan, Karadiya, used to get temporary relief costing 5 rupees expense for one Ahir and Devipujak communities. The objective was to fi nd time. Estimated expense was around 80 rupees per month out results of health and hygiene related interventions on life means a lot for the family whose monthly income is not more of women. Signifi cant fi ndings of the qualitative research are than 7000 rupees. Such expenses are not incurred now. as follow. In the new programme area along the coastline of Jamnagar • Regularizing Hygienic practices: Brushing teeth in the district in Gujarat, a project has been undertaken to ensure morning, washing hands before and after meal, washing hands water security and safe sanitation in 16 villages of Bhatiya block. after returning from toilet and house cleanliness practices were practiced in daily lives. Besides her, other family members including children have started giving equal importance to Nirmala Water Testing Laboratory that has reached nearly 570 villages during the year to help test the water samples from various sources these habits and are following them regularly

Sanitation And Drainage through installation of Decentralized Water Treatment System (DEWATS). Other stakeholders involved in the project are In Bihar Programme Area, we have been promoting DRDA-Surendranagar and WASMO. An event was organized construction of toilet units, micro and macro drainage systems in October 2012 to launch the system. The event was well and spreading mass awareness on personal health and hygiene. attended by offi cials from BMT’s London offi ce, WASMO and DRDA. Tola level cleanliness drives have been organized in nearly 20 hamlets to promote ‘hand-washing campaign’. In these Major physical progress held during the year includes drives, importance of washing hands with soaps before meals excavation of work drainage line, construction of DEWATS and after defecation was conveyed to nearly 6,000 people. and construction of 168 toilets. Besides this, awareness Besides, video-shows and nukkad natak (street play) were generation and capacity building activities were also organized also performed in 80 hamlets. Also, a van equipped with to sensitize the village community on sanitation and hygiene audio-video systems was driven around in these hamlets to issues. A Village Drainage Committee was formed to look after disseminate information relating to health and hygiene. Wall the construction work, collection of people’s contribution paintings on the theme of safe drinking water and hygiene alongside ensuring repair, maintenance and sustainability issues were made on 17 intersections. involved in the project in future.

45 Tola Vikas Samitis (TVS) were formed during the year. 36 As part of Costal Area Development Programme (CADP), of them were oriented with their rights. They were motivated 152 toilets have been constructed in the Maliya Miyana block to bring issues on a larger platform besides availing the of Rajkot district. Besides the physical implementation, various entitlements from the line departments. Capacity building of events like awareness programmes in schools, topical PRAs, TVS members is ensured through meetings, orientations and mass awareness campaigns through vhavai campaign and exposure visits. Training was conducted to sensitize the ASHA Nandini van, gram sabhas and exposure visits were organized workers on their roles and responsibilities. to generate awareness on hygiene and sanitation concerns. Approximately, 2400 villagers including school children and During the year, 130 sanitation units have been constructed women participated in these events. with fi nancial assistance of various donors. Responding to requests from women’s groups, 208 toilets We have implemented a low cost sewerage treatment system were constructed in Junagadh Programme Area. 40 Siddi in Khintla village of Sayla taluka with major funding support families were also supported for construction of sanitation from British Maritime Technology (BMT) Ltd to ensure total units in four villages of Gir periphery area. Further, awareness sanitation facility to nearly 524 households in the village on correlation between water, health and sanitation, and its through construction of toilets and treatment of sewerage signifi cant infl uence on personal and community hygiene 130 such sanitation units have been constructed in Bihar Programme Area to facilitate health and hygiene amongst the community members

27 28 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Alternate Energy WORKING WITH THE POOREST Biogas To ensure proper functioning of Biogas plants and sustain the process, minor repairing has been undertaken as a continuous AKRSP (India) lays a special focus on the empowerment of the poorest, especially women. It was activity. During the year, biogas repairs in all the clusters were observed that in several areas, the Poorest were excluded from village development process, the taken up by and through Mahila Manchs. In all, they have reasons for which varied from place to place. With an integrated approach, the organization undertook repaired 279 biogas plants in 20 villages by charging Rs. 30 several initiatives to make the poorest a part of their village development process and mobilize the per unit from the benefi ciaries (in cases where the repairing community as a whole for an all-round development. Emphasis has been laid on spreading awareness material is provided through the project). and empowering the poorest to bring about a positive change in their lives. In Gir Forest programme area, Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) was involved with repair and maintenance of existing biogas plants as well as construction of new biogas plants (have supported construction of 18 new biogas plants). Risk Mitigation and Subsequently, they have reduced their role to providing Entitlements technical support only. Livelihood Skills

Solar The Individual Solar Lights Model was reworked and a total of 12 Community Based Savings Group (CBSG) members were involved as entrepreneurs for distribution of solar lights. Under Identification and Livelihood Income gain, Institution of Poor Financial Inclusion various grants, 1,458 individual lighting units were given to the Understanding Poor Interventions recovery, ownership communities so far.

As part of entrepreneurship development for the village based institutions, a partnership was signed with D.Light to ensure effi cient after sales service for the end-users. Further, under the Group Model, 800 lights were distributed to Asset ownership / Removal of Bondage individual benefi ciaries among 33 groups formed by village improvement based institutions at Pusa and Muraul. Herein, each benefi ciary will return the invested money to the group within a period of two months and the money will be re-invested by the group for purchasing new lighting units. In a nutshell, the investing budget works as a revolving fund. The objective of this model is A typical fl ow chart of the process of working with the poorests to promote the usage of Solar Lighting and ensure replication of the concept by other village institutions; thus reach larger communities. The initiative has been piloted to enhance alternate livelihood opportunities for village institutions of Muraul and Pusa Create Alternative Livelihood Options It was found that the programme helped to improve food security as it stabilized the income of the families. During the Animal husbandry is a major livelihood option for the poorest vulnerable period, the fl exible payment system was of great communities. The experience and expertise of the programme help. The supportive fi nancial services helped to improve food motivated us to scale up the animal husbandry programme security through improved access to nutritious foods and the for the Kotwaliya families (landless tribal community in South daily consumption of pulses and vegetables has increased Gujarat). All the benefi ciaries selected were women in order to among benefi ciaries. motivate them and give ownership of asset. It was learnt that giving only credit cannot help the poor. It should be supported Also, among the Saathni farmers (landless households who with other allied services like veterinary, artifi cial insemination, were provided land under a scheme of Government of fodder and cattle feed management, marketing of milk and Gujarat) in the Saurashtra region, it was observed that insurance for animal through backward and forward linkages small initiatives with them made quite deep impacts on the with various service providers. Capacity building remained development aspirations and actions of these families. the highest priority during the initial phase. Similarly, activities were undertaken with Siddis and Maldharis of coastal Gujarat. Also, goat rearing interventions have been undertaken for the benefi t of the poorest Korku tribal community of Madhya An entrepreneur with his solar lanterns Pradesh.

29 30 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Way towards animal husbandry from farm labour Today the couple is happy and is thankful to AKRSP (India). Providers and Gujarat State Fertilizer Company. The major gas installation and solar cooker activities are 40% and 50% Within six months they have been able to repay half the loan activities undertaken were water resource development, well subsidized respectively. The bio gas plants are covered under Vinamben Kotwalia resides in Mahuvariya village of Mahuva amount which is good enough. There is an improvement in electrifi cation, lift irrigation scheme, group well, integrated wadi grant provided by Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation. taluka of Surat district. She joyfully expresses her journey from their standard of living. and agriculture diversifi cation activities and micro irrigation Awareness generation on alternative sources of energy was a farm labour to animal husbandry. Residing in a small kachha project. Vegetables like okra, bitter gourd and snake gourd major thrust which was done through trainings and workshops. Bamboo craft and furniture training also comprised of sustainable were promoted along with mango, pigeon pea and BT cotton. house in the village, both husband and wife would earn their alternative livelihood option. Artisans from the Kotwaliya AKRSP (India) made efforts to build Self Service Recovery by farm labour. They were only paid Rs. 35 a day along with community were trained for bamboo craft. To explore the For the poorest benefi ciaries in Bihar programme area, Model as Entrepreneur Model for repair and maintenance of one meal. possibilities of livelihood promotion activities among tribal interventions like Landless Garden and Kitchen Garden have drinking water supply scheme. Candidates were selected and communities especially for landless, collaborative efforts were The earning was insuffi cient to live a normal life with minimal made to tie up with TRIFED, INBAR and NID for bamboo been initiated to serve dual objective of food security as well technical training on motor rewinding and lifting was provided. facilities. Expenditure on health, education and other had designing, fi nishing, technology support and marketing and BAIF as additional income generation for landless poors. They can now perform their job in a better way. become a dream for the family. and J.K trust for animal husbandry activity. Access to Sanitation Reducing Risk Through Weather-based Crop Vinamben came across ARKSP (India)’s intervention in Enhancing Income Of BPL Families Sanitation or the lack of it is a vital issue in the rural areas Insurance the village. She participated in many meetings, workshops, AKRSP (India) initiated an Integrated Wadi Agriculture and thus formed an integral part of our project intervention. awareness generation activities, trainings and exposure visits Diversifi cation Project under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Women and the elderly group are most affected by lack of Initiatives on reducing risk through weather-based crop organized by AKRSP (India). She became the member of of Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana. This is a unique programme sanitation facilities at home. Sanitation is not just limited to insurance continue for cotton growing farmers of Chotila, SHG in the village. Thereafter, Vinamben purchased a cow and implemented in Dediapada and Sagbara talukas of Narmada construction of toilets, but its objective is to bring behavioural Sayla and Kamlapur clusters of Surendranagar district in a male calf for initiating animal husbandry activity. She used district, which aimed at zero tolerance in income doubling in change among the communities. Behavioural change being collaboration with Sajjata Sangh. According to Agriculture to take care of the cattle. Vinamben and Rangjibhai one day terms of yields and returns. Other stakeholders involved in the challenging, intensive efforts were required on awareness Insurance Company of India Ltd. two automatic weather mutually decided that one should go in for farm labour and project are National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, generation on personal health and hygiene, its need and stations were set up at Kamlapur and Chotila cluster. Based on one to be at home for the cattle care. Rangjibhai goes out for Gujarat Electricity Board, Irrigation department (Government importance. Hence our major thrust was on capacity building, past learning, modifi cations in cotton design were made. The farm labour and gets fodder for the cow in the evening. of Gujarat), Green Revolution Company, Agriculture Supply IEC and awareness generation. initiative helped small and marginal farmers to cultivate crop with minimum risk. Safety Net Through Saving And Credit Institutional Intervention The poor families always have fi nancial crisis as the earnings The poor families do not have space to gather and discuss their do not suffi ce their basic needs. They often take credit from issues. They are excluded from the mainstream institutions. the market at an exorbitant rate. They do not have access AKRSP (India) continued to promote new institutions for to formal fi nancial institutions. The high interest rate shatters PTGs and socially excluded communities and strengthened their life. We have promoted SHG for the women and CBSGs the existing institutions. These institutions play a vital role (Community Based Saving Groups) for the poorest in Bihar, in implementation of different projects affecting lives of the which help them to live a better life. The group also gives them poorest. Voices of these socially excluded and poorest families opportunity to link with bank and take up different income are heard. The Mahila Manchs promoted by AKRSP (India) generation activity. Apart from this, the groups provide them have empowered women in the area. They play an important safety net. role in overall development of the village, especially women and excluded communities. They work on various issues like Access To Safe Drinking Water drinking water, land rights for women, social issues and widow pension. The Kotwaliya federation in Mandvi played a very Access to safe drinking water is an acute problem in the rural important role at different stages of project implementation. areas in India. Women have to walk to far off places in search They have taken up different income generating activities like of water. The poorest are badly affected as they are dependent animal husbandry, grocery shop, organic manure production on common water resources which dry up during summers. In and so on. Sayla and Gadu programme area, RRWHS activity was taken up with the poorest and socially excluded families. Hand-pumps were also installed for serving the domestic need of washing clothes, bathing and livestock. These were installed in the areas within the village where people do not have access to water for domestic use. Well renovation was also done keeping in mind the needs of Dalits and poor category farmers

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy consists of activities like solar cooker, Goat rearing has been a source of livelihood for hundreds of poorest Korku tribals bio-gas, bio-gas repair maintenance and wind mills. The bio-

31 32 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

Investigating Challenges in SRI Uptake: its programme area in Tribal Madhya Pradesh in late 2012 REACHING OUT as part of a larger fi ve state project called “Safeguarding the In partnership with International Water Management Institute Commons for the Next Generation”. This is a three-year (IWMI), a study of the issues faced in adoption / uptake of initiative, which will involve 15 NGOs in India to analyze 1) the System of Rice Intensifi cation (hereafter referred to as SRI) status of encroachment on de jure and de facto commons; 2) by tribals in South Gujarat was completed which threw up the best practices in commons management and 3) the status interesting results on issues related to adoption of such new of implementation of all relevant land legislation, with special agricultural technologies. Though we have been promoting and mention of the Forest Rights Act of 2006. supporting SRI since year 2005 it was noticed that adoption rates were not uniform. Sharing Of Improved Agricultural Practices In Tribal Dialect Through Community Radio A sample of more than three hundred farmers was therefore taken up for understanding issues related to adoption of the The AKRSP(I) supported radio programme ‘Kay Tuman Khabar fi ve major agronomical practices / steps. The major learning Hay?’(Do you know?), which is produced by tribal youth and was though SRI did lead to considerably high production broadcasted on a weekly basis in tribal dialects of the Bharuch levels; water and labour availability at the crucial times of area, is reaching out to more and more listeners in promoting nursery raising and transplanting determined whether these tribal culture. During 2012, 52 radios were distributed to the would be achieved or not. Furthermore, use of appropriate listener groups to encourage group listening. These Groups weeding devices as well as application of organic inputs such serve as a formal platform for deliberation and further as fertilisers and rigorous follow up with older adopters too dissemination of messages conveyed through the programme. played a critical role in uptake. Following up on these, the In addition they also provide feedback for further content agriculture team then reviewed the approach in the newer development. A 10 min. slot was prepared on one of the districts of Surat, Navsari and Dangs to achieve better results. episodes on a farmer fair (krushi mela) and the experiences therein organized by Government of Gujarat. Overall, the Innovations By Small But Prosperous Farmers major focus of the episodes in 2012 was on agricultural Orientation session for SHG formation for other NGO’s practices. Agriculture is still the main source of livelihood for a majority of India’s working population. 80 per cent of landowners in rural India own less than two hectares (ha) of land and Overview surveys for the recently initiated new projects in coastal Saurashtra and Madhya Pradesh. A number of communication more than half of them cultivate less than one hectare of land. Is there a way these smallholders could become In 2012, several research studies as well as documentation of products too were completed and disseminated during the prosperous from agriculture? IWMI fl oated the idea of a good practices were taken up with the objectives of enhancing year including the Vadvai - AKRSP(I) Services’ consolidated multi organization research on this and AKRSP (India) also organisational learning, informing and improving project report of last three years, a brochure on AKRSP(I)’s work joined their efforts and presented the preliminary fi ndings implementation and sharing of experiences both within as well and Go Getters – a compilation of success stories of Yuva at the annual partners meet organised in November at as outside the organisation. Whilst some of the good practice Junction etc. Two citation fi lms on individualistic achievements IRMA, Anand gleaned from case studies of such exceptional documentation focused on results of interventions with the of trainees under Yuva Junction, and a fi lm on AKRSP(I)’s work smallholders. poorest including vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry under MNREGA in Madhya Pradesh has been the major audio-video productions of the year. for the landless, it also helped feed into a nationwide best Some of the characteristics of small prosperous farmers from practice sharing workshop organised by the National Institute Action Research In Partnership With Revitalising preliminary observations include the following: of Rural Development, Hyderabad. These papers have now been incorporated into the National Rural Livelihood Mission’s Rain-Fed Areas Network [RRA] And Hivos 1. Small Prosperous Farmers [SPFs] in our case studies manage compendium of best practices, which are to be replicated The Revitalising Rain-fed Agriculture Network (RRA Network) a diverse portfolio of agricultural and allied activities. The nation wide as the programme rolls out across the country. is a growing network of over 60 civil society organisations, diversifi cation does spread risk, but often it is also an outcome research institutions, policy makers, donor agencies and of SPF’s tendency to keep looking for new ways to increase Furthermore, documentation of a larger series of good individuals advocating for a differentiated policy and support their income practices and learning emerging at the closing of the ten system for rain-fed agriculture in India. 2. All of them have access to some irrigation year SCALE (Sustainable Community Based Approaches 3. SPFs prefer crops with multiple harvests (cotton, vegetables, To Livelihood Enhancement) project was completed and Rain-fed India has been left out of mainstream development in milk etc.) to maintain liquidity and stagger returns across time disseminated in a national level workshop in November agriculture due to the government’s emphasis on generating to even out the effect of seasonal price dips 2012 at New Delhi with AKF (India) where practitioners, food surplus from intensively irrigated areas to meet food 4. Small farmers who become prosperous are often donors, government functionaries and academics participated, security needs of the nation. The RRA Network works towards exceptional entrepreneurs debated and exchanged learning. In addition, fi eld research evolving appropriate policies rooted in the realities of rain- taken up during the year included assessing adoption rates of fed areas. While much of the ‘action’ part of the programme On The Issue Of Common Lands: System of Rice Intensifi cation, understanding how small land is reported in the ‘livelihoods chapter’, baseline research In partnership with Seva Mandir, we took up research on holding farmers manage to become prosperous, exploring the follow up will reveal the impact of these interventions and its status of common lands in sample programme villages of A tribal radio reporter during a voice over recording session status of common lands in tribal Madhya Pradesh and baseline implications for the policy.

33 34 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12 One key strategy of AKRSP (India) has been capacity building of other stake holders and communities with whom it does not work directly. To streamline, a dedicated pilot unit was set up in 2002 to share the lessons learnt from grass root work with donors, government agencies, bankers, fellow NGOs, Panchayat representatives and the rural communities.

Over time, this unit has acquired the infrastructure to provide systematic training and exposure in the rural areas of Gujarat. Thus there are two well equipped training centres at Netrang and Sayla in Gujarat, with dedicated training teams. The unit undertakes capacity building, provides advisory / consultancy services and lends direct as well as hand-holding fi eld support. Staff from the new states of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar also provides off-site training and evaluation services. In 2011, the unit has been christened as Vadvai - Learning. Sharing. Caring.

Vadvai, is a Gujarati word, meaning sub-branches of a Banyan tree. The banyan tree is a tree of knowledge - where in ancient times students and teachers learnt and debated, and formed the basis of what Amartya Sen calls the “Argumentative Indian Society”. Vadvai aspires to become a place of learning and sharing, where the knowledge and experience of the AKRSP (India) fi eld programmes is shared with new practitioners and thinkers, and in turn gets strengthened by the ideas and discussions of the new partners.

Advisory Services: Direct Field Support:

• Had undertaken an assignment with Gujarat Ecological In the current year, Vadvai also started working with the CSR Commission, Gandhingar for “Capacity Assessment of CBOs unit of Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (Tata Power Subsidiary) and developing comprehensive capacity building plan under for the SAGARBANDHU project. The unit is supporting CR- the ICZMP” to assess 160 village level CBOs promoted CGPL in strengthening community institutions for long term under the programme in Kutch and Jamnagar. A “Capacity fi sheries based development programme. As part of this, a Assessment Tool” was developed for the research. The report full time team member has been deputed in Mandvi who along with analysis has been submitted to GEC, which the works with the community institutions. Two women SHGs latter has also got published have been developed for capacity building of VDAC along with developing a micro-plan for the village. Also, to understand the • In this period, AKRSP (India), DSC, Cohesion Foundation fi sheries sector and livelihood options, fi sheries sub-sector are and GIDR worked on “preliminary monitoring of IWMP being done through Value Chain Analysis. watershed programme”; and did evaluation of ongoing IWMP programme in six districts for 39 projects. The fi eld work has been completed and report is also submitted.

• AKRSP (India) is working on developing SHG and CRP Vadvai Company (GLPC) guidelines - giving the phase wise process guidance - for the • Provided trainings related to Integrated Watershed GLPC. It also includes developing training modules for SHG Vadvai, the services unit of AKRSP (India) has been reaching Management Programs (IWMP) in fi ve districts members and leaders on different aspects of SHG, health and through various assignments of capacity building, advisory • Community Learning Centre (Sayla) has started a new education, Panchayat and other government schemes and services and direct fi eld support. Few of these are listed below: partnership for capacity building of SHG-CBOs of Gujarat leadership and confl ict resolution Ecological Commission, under the Integrated Coastal Zone Capacity Building: Management Programme (ICZMP) • AKRSP (India) along with IRMA has been awarded the work • Provided regular capacity building support to partner CSR of developing Human Resource, Performance Appraisal and • Provided training on “SHG and Micro-Finance for livelihood arms of Corporates; DEEP, ACF, KJBE Incentive System, and Capacity Building Manual for the GLPC. promotion” to the newly recruited block and district level • Conducted a training program on “managing confl icts in All these manuals are detail policy documents, which will staff (of eight districts) of Gujarat Livelihood Promotion CPR based interventions” for AKF, Afghanistan defi ne GLPC’s human resource systems

35 36 AKRSPI(India) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 12

FINANCIAL SUMMARY ABOUT AKRSP (INDIA)

We continued to implement the 10-year (2002-2012) Sustainable Community-based Approaches to Livelihood Enhancement (SCALE) project co-fi nanced by the European Commission, Operational in Gujarat and south-west Madhya Pradesh. It also His Highness the Aga Khan, founded the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) in 1983. It is received support from the State and Central Governments, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Ford Foundation, USAID, Microsoft and the a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), whose agencies work on all aspects of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Cotton Connect, UNICEF and Hilton Foundation for various development – social, economic and cultural. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them projects. While Bihar was funded by His Highness the Aga Khan, European Union, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Marshal Foundation, work together within the overarching framework of the AKDN so that their different pursuits can Canadian International Development Agency and AKF (USA). interact and reinforce one another. The common goal is to help the poor achieve a level of self-reliance whereby they are able to plan their own livelihoods and help those even more needy than themselves. A central feature of the AKDN’s approach to development is to design and implement strategies in Utilization of Funds – 2012 which its different agencies participate in particular settings. 10% 1% 1% The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) is a non- our total staff strength reach 294. Most of the new recruited Our expenditure for 2012 was INR 261.93 million, out of which denominational, non-government development organisation. staff members are placed in Bihar and Dangs. programme expenditure was INR 161.68 million, operational AKRSP (India) works as a catalyst for the betterment of rural communities by providing direct support to local communities We have developed a training module with management Admin expenditure was INR 27.01 million, capital expenditure was concept to keep our staff motivated, provide planning for Capital INR 1.82 million, outreach expenditure was INR 3.16 million to promote activities and develop models for sustainable natural resource use and development of human resources. achieving the SWOT analysis, help develop vision - mission and Outreach and total salaries were INR 68.26 million. value statements, and build goals – strategies - objectives and Programme AKRSP (India) began fi eld operations in Gujarat in 1985 and measurable outcomes. With due approval from the Board of has since expanded to the states of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Directors, we have announced a Management Development Programme (MDP) for staff across categories. It is designed 88% It has innovated and pioneered several efforts in areas such as participatory irrigation management, joint forest management, to achieve strategic goals like development of “management” rain water harvesting, watershed development, preventing as one of our core competencies; facilitation of analysis for salinity ingress and alternative energy, crafting and promoting various activities within the organization through the common Source-wise Funds (Overall - 2012) appropriate institutions which empower rural communities. language of management and empowerment of staff and community leaders with management tools to ensure a better AKRSP (India) is active in over 1400 villages in three future for them. HH The European Commission contributed INR 101.66 million for environmentally challenged and economically vulnerable AKRSPI 5% SCALE project and INR 7.25 million for MIAD-Bihar project. During the year, over 45 staff members from middle regions of Gujarat: the tribal block of Bharuch–Narmada–Surat- People’s 2% Communities contributed a substantial INR 40.96 million, management stationed at Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat Tapi, coastal salinity-affected areas of Junagadh-Porbandar and Contribution EC refl ecting strong partnership and involvement; government were given the MDP training. the drought-prone Surendranagar-Rajkot. Since 2004, AKRSP 16% 39% funding was INR 30.05 million. Other donors (mainly the Sir (India) is working in the remote and tribal blocks of Khandwa, Ratan Tata Trust, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Microsoft Corporation Capacity Building Khargone, Burhanpur and Badwani districts in Madhya Pradesh. and NABARD) contributed INR 63.19 million. AKRSP (India)’s And since 2008, AKRSP (India) has initiated work in the fl ood- In 2012, 118 staff went through various structured trainings. corpus contribution was INR 5.24 million. His Highness’s Others prone districts of Muzzafarpur and Samastipur in North Bihar. The capacity building activities can be classifi ed into three EC (Bihar) 3% contribution for Bihar was INR 13.59 million. 24% broad categories: Government 11% Human Resource Development 1. In-house training (Includes orientation) 2. Visits to other NGOs For any organisation the biggest asset is its manpower. As 3. Sending staff for external training programmes we are expanding geographically as well as adding to our Location-wise Utilization of Funds - 2012 programme interventions, there is a constant need for able In-House Training (Includes orientation) human resource to meet new challenges of work and also MP for scaling-up our work. After establishing ourselves in Madhya In the year gone-by, more than 70 staff members were Bihar 18% Pradesh, we expanded our work with MIAD approach in trained for a variety of subjects. Since most of them were new 20% Bihar. Post mid 2009, we have further started exploring the recruitments for Bihar and Dangs, they have been given the Ahmedabad problems and opportunities in India’s poorest district, Dangs. Orientation Training. 9% Along with economic backwardness, Dangs is also a rough and hilly terrain. Hence, in the year gone-by mobilizing manpower External Training Programmes for Dangs has been a major challenge. We have employed a different recruitment strategy for Dangs and have built a team Two staff members were sent to Canada for attaining training of young and dynamic professionals. on “Livelihoods and Markets”. The major focus of this training Gujarat has been on the ways to understand market linkages for the 53% During 2012, we have recruited over 80 staff members making various programme interventions.

37 38 Administration and Accounts Organisational Structure In Surendranagar, the Water testing laboratory has separate BOARD OF STAFF LIST Dilip Bayal staffi ng structure. In Netrang, a separate team supports the We employ 297 people stationed at the Central Offi ce in Praful Damodara Bamboo Craft enterprise of the Kotwaliyas. Ahmedabad and fi eld offi ces in South Gujarat, Saurashtra and DIRECTORS Rohit Chavda* Madhya Pradesh. Due to the geographical distance between CENTRAL OFFICE Vishal Goswami The set up in Bihar has a different structure. The Bihar Head Ahmedabad and Bihar; Bihar has a small central offi ce to Offi ce is located in Patna. It is led by a General Manager and support its two fi eld units. The staff strength of Bihar is 84. Nasser M Munjee Chairperson CEO Support staff has a team of Managers who provide support to the SHTs. Anwer Ali B Rayani Director Apoorva Oza Bakul Joshi Shantilal Bamania AKRSP (India) has two regional offi ces in Gujarat, one in Bakul Virani Director Outreach activities have a separate staffi ng structure. Vadvai - Programme staff Madhya Pradesh and two in Bihar. Ela Bhatt* Director the training and capacity building unit - has six full-time staff Ashok Vyas Maliya Cluster Staff stationed at the two training centres (in Sayla and Netrang) Isher J Ahluwalia Director Bala Krishnan* Sarang Daki In Gujarat, the organization has restructured into two regions and Ahmedabad offi ce. In addition, there is a full-time Kasim Ali F Merchant Director Dhanesh Bhavsar – the Coastal and Semi Arid Saurashtra region and the Tribal Communications Manager at Ahmedabad. Madhu Sarin Director Falguni Lokhil Talala Cluster Staff South Gujarat region .Similarly MP has become a region. Each Pradip Khandwalla Director Govind Desai Ashwin Joshi* region is headed by Regional Manager. There is a team of Development work from the Central Offi ce at Ahmedabad Hasmukh Patel Chandrakant Bhorania* Specialists and Cluster Managers, who report to the Regional S B Ravi Pandit Director is carried out by Directors/Senior Managers/Managers, who John P Inchakkalody Hitesh Kher Manager. Tom Austin Director work as ‘thematic leaders’ responsible for different sectoral M.S.Vahora Venu Srinivasan Director and sub-sectoral activities. The Central Offi ce also hosts a Nilam Rajput Bhatia Cluster Staff Netrang (Bharuch), Gadu (Junagadh) and Sayla (Surendranagar) Research and Monitoring Unit led by a Senior Manager. A Wajahat Habibullah Director Shiji Abraham Bhayabhai Patat have established campuses and the offi ces in Pusa, Muraul, Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO), appointed for a fi xed tenure, Apoorva Oza Secretary Suchi Dave Govind Chavda Muzzaffarpur and Khandwa are on rental basis. These are heads the organisation. Umesh Desai Harsukh Kaneria known as Spear Head Teams (SHTs). The SHTs in Gujarat and AUDIT COMMITTEE Meram Dangar Madhya Pradesh implement programmes through the cluster Research, Monitoring Anwer Ali B Rayani Chairperson and project offi ces, which are located near to the community. and Communications Unit Mangrol Cluster Staff In Bihar, there are no cluster offi ces. S B Ravi Pandit Member Niraj Joshi Kalusinh Mori* Bhupinder Gupta Member Janmejaya Mishra Ketankumar Joshi The organisation implements its programmes through fi eld Apoorva Oza Member Vaidehi Chokshi Lalit Koradia professionals designated as Development Organisers (DOs). Alok Krishna Secretary Dhriti Bhattacharjee* Ravji Chavda They work in the fi eld teams known as clusters. We have 22 Sudha Rathod Administration, Accounts and IT Vejanand Jogal such fi eld teams (18 in Gujarat and fi ve in Madhya Pradesh). PERSONNEL COMMITTEE DOs are meant to organise communities in various village Alok Krishna institutions and provide technical inputs. These teams are Pradip Khandwalla Chairperson Amit Shah Chorvad Cluster Staff led by Cluster Managers. In Gujarat, there are many large Ela Bhatt Member Nimesh Patel* Kirit Fuletra government–funded projects whose mandate is beyond Kasim Ali F Merchant Member Prahlad Sinh Laxman Vala a cluster or whose focus is on a particular underprivileged Apoorva Oza Member Remya Nair Nayana Chauhan* Sunil Balolkar Ramesh Makwana community. Separate Project Teams, headed by a Project Sr. Manager (HR) Secretary Dhanesh Bhavsar Manager, have been set up to implement such projects. Ramesh Vasia* Vajesinh Nakum AUDITORS Support Staff The Skill building and Placement unit work with the rural Statutory Auditors M/s Haribhakti & Co Mumbai Amita Bhatnagar CTLC Staff youths under a new division called ‘Yuva Junction’. A separate Internal Auditors M/s Talati & Talati Ahemdabad Aruna Nair Jitendra Bhatt* structure has been set which is integrated at the fi eld level. Dhulsinh Chauhan Punita Oza Leela Nair Mahipat Kumar The unit has four centers in TSG, three in Saurashtra, one BANKERS Nasreen Mansuri Sangita Sagar in MP and fi ve in Bihar. Each of these centers are managed State Bank of India, Navrangpura Branch Nimisha Modi Tarak Popat* by trainers with different skill sets. The IT Trainer focuses on State Bank of Saurastra, Usmanpura Branch Parbatsinh Pawar Vijay Kamani imparting technical IT skills, Spoken English Trainer imparts Bank of Baroda, University Campus Branch Rashmikant Limbachia training on Spoken English and the Life Skills Trainer induces Sajjan Sinh Ahmedabad Surendranagar District confi dence through role plays and ensures job readiness. There Vijaysinh Rathod SHT Programme Staff are 13 IT Trainers, fi ve Spoken English Trainers and four Life Dashrath Valand Skills Trainers. Further, there are six regional Team Leaders for * Retired during the year Coastal Saurashtra Region Ashok Jadhav* centres in various regions, who are supported by Placement Junagadh District Bhagwanbhai Patel Offi cers. And the entire skill development and placement Chetan Patel activity of Yuva Junction is managed by two member team SHT programme staff Lavji Parmar based at Central Offi ce (Ahmedabad). Pankaj Dave Mansukh Gadhia Aliakbar S.Ratlamwala Mansukh Virugama In addition, there are specialised units which have an Manojitsinh Gohil enterprise support or are based on cost-recovery model. Naresh Mataliya* Natwar Khavaida Training Centre Staff Anil Patel Sunayana Ingle Manoj Bagdi Kanhaiya Pathak Shivprasad Powar* Jayram Rabari* Dinesh Radta** Nilesh Patel Ravi Kumar* Narendrasinh Yadav Mehul Parekh Administration and Accounts Radha Chouhan Manojkumar Singh Training Centre Staff Neeta Patel Praful Zala* Govind Singh Gautam Ratan Nitendra Kumar Mishra Deepak Jargela Vishal Trivedi* Nelesh Sharma Santosh Awase* Ghohabhai Faga Administration and Accounts Sandeep Joshi VijayMishra Samastipur Shailesh Mehta Amita Lad Mangrol Cluster Surendra Sharma Govind Kumar Jha Gautam Goyani Manjulaben Chauhan CTLC Staff Mukund Kumar Singh Administration and Accounts Prabhakarsinh Zala Ravindra Chaudhari Khandwa District Kamal Kishor Bhalray* Niraj Kumar Jha* Dhruvesh Vaidya* Priyakant Panchal Pandhana Cluster Staff Vivek Maheswary Pankaj Chandravanshi Mahesh Khavadiya* Trushar Gadhvi Dangs District Chandrarekha Malviya Traun Kumar Singh* Rakesh Makwana* Alkesh Vasava Dilp kumar Shakya BIHAR Swati Sitapara Support Staff Anand Bhoye Durgesh Rathoe Bihar Central Offi ce Pusa Cluster Staff Usha Srivastava Afzalkhan Pathan** Anilbhai Thorat Firoz Khan Debasish Guha Amarjeet Gaurav Naran Patel Jagdish Vamja Gurprit Bhatiya Arvind Toppo Ambica Prasad Tripathi* Support Staff Pragji Makwana Jayesh Patel Ravi Kumar Sen Amit Kumar Anita Kumari Vishwakarma Devji Koshiya* Kundan Kumar Amit Kumar Sharma Ananyat Ansari Pola Ghanghal Netrang Cluster Staff Kalavati Gamit Khalwa Cluster Staff Dinesh Yadav Anurag Asthana Shivram Gondaliya Pravinsinh Jadav** Suresh G. Patel Arjun Vishwakarma Jay Prakash Singh Basant Kumar Vazirkhan Pathan* Hasmukh Patel Suresh J Payel Bamar singh Mohare Kari Lokanath Bhagwan Prasad Jayesh Gediya* Sumitra Gaekwad Devram Yadav Krishna Mohan Sinha* Debanjan Mukherjee* Chotila Cluster Staff Pooja Bhatt* Maganbhai Makwana Hirjha Khan* Nidhi Chakrabarty Ganesh Kumar Rajak Dhiru Vala* Pravinkumar Khimsuriya* Mahesh Boricha Lalsingh Solanki* Rajib Kumar Roul* Jitendra Kumar Surekha Patel Vijay Vasava Naran Metalia** Malti Solanki Santosh Sinha Kumari Surabhi Natwarsinh Gohil* Ranjna Gangrade Shailesh Barot Mukesh Kumar* Rajkot District Narmada District Pritesh Vaidya Sanjay Prajapati Sweta Sonbhadra Singh Navneet Kumar* Vithal Kakania** Kamlapur and Wakaner Dediapada Cluster Staff Subhas Chowdhary* Nekram Ojha Yogesh Ravut* Nika Kumar Maharaj Cluster Staff Amrut Babaria Suresh Patel** Muzaffarpur Vineet Malakar Rajesh Jha Niraj Pathak Natvar Virani Anila Vasava Sadhali Cluster Staff Ambujendra Jha* Praveen Kumar Hira Vala Meena Solanki ArvindKumar Patel Jignesh Purohit* Shrimi Kumari Falguni Salvi* Prabhav Tandel Burhanpur District Parshotam Vankar Mukesh Chandra Meena Vora Ratilal Patel Dedtalai Cluster Staff Navendu Panday* Somabhai Dhoriya Abhilash Bordia Navsari District Nandini Arora* Veena Jadav Sagbara Cluster Staff Anil Yadav Vansda Cluster Staff Partha Pratim Pal* Yogesh Jani Rajesh Patel* Bhagirath Chouhan Hitesh M Patel Sanjay Kumar* Gatur Solanki Navinchandra Vankar Ghanshyam Patel Neeta Chaudhry* Jaymatiben Desai Gurudatt Magloriya Vivek Anand* Niteshkumar Rathod Kanubhai Patel (Expired) Neeraj Kumar Jain* * These staff members left the organisation in 2012. Mayur Chauhan* ** These staff members transferred to other SHT in 2012. CTLC Staff Neetoo Pagare* Pilkhi Cluster Staff Shailesh Kamariya Surat District Palavi Chowkde* Ajit Mohan Choudhary CTLC Staff Vipul Chauhan* Mandvi Cluster Staff Rajesh Kumar Singh Ajeet Kumar* Dhaneshwar Pandya Mehul Bhatia* Sajjan Singh Mewada Ajlina Tirkey Rana Makwana South Gujarat Tribal Region Aruna Patel Sanjeev Tiwari Amit Atal* Ishwer Chaudhary Sunil Vasava Ambrish kumar Bharuch District Ramanbhai B Patel Barwani District Anil Kumar SHT Programme Staff Suresh Chaudhary MADHYA PRADESH Anand Kumar Sharma Raman Patel Niwali Cluster Staff Yogesh Bhatt SHT programme staff Laturi Singh Dandotiya Debojyoti Chakraborty* Binay Kumar Naveen Patidar Lokesh Khantwa Rajiv Ranjan Rai Charu Chandra* Umarpada Cluster Staff Anu Alexander Tulsibhai Kharadi Rakesh Kumar Mihir Bhavsar** Amarsing Vasava Anusha Satturu Usha Mukati Rajeev Kumar Singh* Rohit Patel* Dalshukh Vasava* Ashok Minz* Vijay Khernar*a Tripurari Prasad Singh* R. SuKumar Dharmesh Vasava Bhaskar Mitra Vijay Chouhan* Naib Jahan Sajan Prajapati Pravinbhai Chamar Edward Wheeler* Vijendra Prajapat Uday Kumar Sharma Taral Rana* Mitesh Ahirao Vinay Kumar Tripathi* Thakarshi Dawra** PTG Project Mandvi and Mahua Mahendra Patel* Khargone District Yashwant Kumar Yasser Ali Waheed Kantilal Makwana Ramkrishna Mahajan Zhirniya Cluster Sagar Tiwari Bichara Irfan Mohammed* Kamlesh Panchole Sandeep Kumar Govind Gadhe* Akshay Rawal Aurai Cluster Staff Sandeep Vishwakarma Atul Kumar* Pravin Rohit* Deepak Sharma PARTNERS IN OUR ENDEAVOUR IN 2012 ADDRESSES

CENTRAL OFFICE • Aga Khan Foundation • European Commission Research Partners AGA KHAN RURAL SUPPORT • NABARD (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar) • Indian Natural Resource Economics PROGRAMME (INDIA) • Ford Foundation Management Foundation (INREM) 9th – 10th Floor, Corporate House, Opp. Dinesh Hall, Off. Ashram Road, • American India Foundation • Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) Ahmedabad-380 009 • Sir Ratan Tata Trust • Gujarat Institute of Development Research Tel: 079-66312451/61, 27541678 • Sir Dorabji Tata and Allied Trusts (GIDR) Fax: 079-66312471 • Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development • Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal Email: [email protected] • Shri Rajsobhag Ashram (IIFM) • Microsoft Corporation • International Water Management Institute OTHER OFFICES IN GUJARAT • CottonConnect (IWMI) • Sayla • Marshall Foundation • Development Support Centre (DSC) • Netrang • USAID • Innovizon consulting • Gadu • Hilton Foundation • Centre for Environment Education (CEE) • Ahwa • Canadian International Development Agency • Watersheds Services and Support Network (CIDA) (WASSAN) • UNICEF • Maharaja Sayajirao University (M.S.U) MADHYA PRADESH FIELD OFFICE • British Maritime Technology (BMT) • Centre for Integrated Development (CFID) HIG-7, Scholar Den School Road, • Ministry of Non Conventional And Energy Sources • PRADAN Dindayalpuram Colony Khandwa (M.P) – 450001 (MNES) (Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh) • Livelihoods School, Basix Tel-Fax: 0733-2249292 Email: [email protected] • Government of Gujarat* • Shodhana consultancy pvt ltd. o Tribal Development o Rural Development Department Network Partners OTHER OFFICES IN MADHYA PRADESH • Niwali o Water and Sanitation Management • Aga Khan Development Network • Khalwa Organisation (WASMO) • Sajjata Sangh • Pandhana o Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board • Pravah • Dedhtalai (GWSSB) • Working Group For Women and Land • Zirniya o Irrigation Department Ownership (WGWLO) o Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation • Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC) o Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited BIHAR - CENTRAL OFFICE o Gujarat Green Revolution Company Communication Partner H.N. 129/C, Vijay Smriti, o SIPC-Salinity Ingress prevention cell? • Charkha New Patliputra Colony, o Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Patna -800013 o Forest Department Tel: 0612 2270262 o Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. (GAIC) OTHER OFFICES IN BIHAR o WAPCOS • Muzaffrpur o Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (PGVCL) • Aurai o Gujarat Water Resources Development • Pilkhi • Pusa Corporation Ltd. (GWRDC) • Government of Madhya Pradesh* o Rural Development o Irrigation Department o Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Development • Government of Bihar* o SC / ST Department * Most government funding is from Government of India schemes which are o Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) co funded by the state government Since inception, AKRSP (India) has been promoting community involvement in the development process through setting up of various village institutions (Self Help Groups, Community Based Savings Groups, Pani Samitis etc.). Slowly and gradually, these Institutions have emerged as strong bodies undertaking activities ranging from fi nancial services to entitlements and from agriculture development to drinking water. Empowering these Institutions is a core process followed by AKRSP (India) in all its regions.

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