EVALUATION OF THE EARLY IMPACTS OF THE BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE ON SMALLHOLDER COTTON PRODUCERS IN KURNOOL DISTRICT, INDIA: BASELINE REPORT R. Kumar, V. Nelson, A. Martin, D.Badal, A.Latheef, B. Suresh Reddy, L. Narayanan, S.Young and M. Hartog 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................ 2 List of tables .................................................................................................................................................... 5 List of figures ................................................................................................................................................... 6 List of photos ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Citation ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 Cover picture ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 10 1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 19 1.1 Background to the Study ............................................................................................................... 19 1.2 better cotton initiative .................................................................................................................. 19 2. Research Design .................................................................................................................................... 22 2.1 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 22 2.2 Research Questions....................................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Overall approach - Theory Based Impact Evaluation (TBIE) ........................................................... 24 2.4 Evaluation Design and methodology ............................................................................................. 27 2.5 RCT design .................................................................................................................................... 28 2.6 Methods and tools ........................................................................................................................ 30 2.7 Data analysis ................................................................................................................................. 30 2.8 Sampling Design ........................................................................................................................... 31 2.9 Implementation of the field research - Baseline ............................................................................. 32 2.9.1 Household Questionnaire survey ............................................................................................... 32 2.9.2 Focus Group Discussions ........................................................................................................... 32 2.9.3 Household Case Studies /panel ................................................................................................. 33 2.9.4 Key Informant Interviews .......................................................................................................... 34 2.9.5 Innovative elements of the research .......................................................................................... 34 2.9.6 Perspectives on potential limitations of the research ................................................................ 35 3. Context analysis .................................................................................................................................... 37 3.1 Global Cotton Markets .................................................................................................................. 37 3.2 Cotton production in India ............................................................................................................. 39 3.2.1 Area, production and productivity of cotton in India .................................................................. 39 3.2.2 Composition of the seed sector ................................................................................................. 41 3.2.3 Use of Pesticides in cotton ........................................................................................................ 42 2 3.3 The study area............................................................................................................................... 43 3.3.1 Value chain structures and power relations .................................................................................... 44 3.3.2 Farmer household profile and characteristics ............................................................................ 47 4. Economic Impact Pathway .................................................................................................................... 52 4.1 Economic Impact Pathway - activities ........................................................................................... 54 4.1.1 Mobilizing learning groups & Producer Units ............................................................................. 54 4.1.2 Facilitating Farmer field schools, demonstrations and trainings ................................................ 56 4.1.3 Developing internal Management systems ............................................................................... 56 4.2 Economic Impact Pathway - Outputs ............................................................................................ 57 4.2.1 Learning groups Established ..................................................................................................... 57 4.2.2 KNOWLEDGE AND application of Cotton practices .................................................................. 57 4.3 Economic Impact Pathway - Outcomes ......................................................................................... 62 4.3.1 Cost of production .................................................................................................................... 62 4.3.2 Yield.......................................................................................................................................... 64 4.3.3 Fibre quality .............................................................................................................................. 65 4.3.4 Improved service provision to the farmers ................................................................................. 66 4.4 Economic Impact Pathway – Impacts ............................................................................................ 67 4.4.1 Cotton profitability ................................................................................................................... 67 4.4.2 Incomes .................................................................................................................................... 69 4.4.3 Food security ............................................................................................................................ 73 5. Environmental Impact Pathway ............................................................................................................. 75 5.1 Environment Impact Pathway – activities ...................................................................................... 77 5.2 Environment Impact Pathway – Outputs ....................................................................................... 77 5.2.1 Learning groups ........................................................................................................................ 77 5.2.2 Cotton practices used by farmers .............................................................................................. 77 5.3 Environment Impact Pathway – Outcomes & Impact .................................................................... 78 5.3.1 reduced Pesticide use and increased bio-pesticide usage .......................................................... 78 5.3.2 improved efficiency and balanced fertiliser use ......................................................................... 79 5.3.3 Improved soil health ...................................................................................................................... 80 6. Social impact pathway ........................................................................................................................... 81 6.1 Social impact pathway - Outputs ................................................................................................... 83 6.1.1 Learning groups and Producer