E-Zaraat: Evaluation Report Mahrukh Siraj, Atiq ur Rehman 2014 www.cabi.org KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................... i Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................................. 1 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Components of E-Zaraat ............................................................................................... 2 1.2.1. Helpline ....................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2. Text Messages ........................................................................................................... 2 1.2.3. Voice Messages ......................................................................................................... 2 1.2.4. Web Portal .................................................................................................................. 2 1.3. Project Evaluation Survey ............................................................................................. 3 1.4. Objectives of the Survey ............................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 .................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.1. Research design ........................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Design of data collection instruments ............................................................................ 4 2.3. Population and Sampling .............................................................................................. 4 2.3.1. Farmers ...................................................................................................................... 4 2.3.2. Component 2: Extension Workers .............................................................................. 5 2.4. Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 3 .................................................................................................................................. 6 3. Brief on country context .................................................................................................... 6 3.2. Cropping intensity and cropping pattern………………………………………………………6 3.3. Extension services………………………………………………………………………………7 Chapter 4 .................................................................................................................................. 8 4. Profile of the Respondents ............................................................................................... 8 4.1. Profile of Extension Staff……………………………………………………………………… 8 4.2. Profile of the farmers……………………………………………………………………… 8 4.3. Family size……………………………………………………………………………………… 9 i 4.4. Land ownership……………………………………………………………………………… 10 Chapter 5 ................................................................................................................................ 12 5. Impact of the Project ....................................................................................................... 12 5.1. Envisaged Impact of the Project .................................................................................. 12 5.1.1. Cotton Yield and Profitability ..................................................................................... 12 5.1.2. Wheat yield ............................................................................................................... 13 5.2. Benefits for women ..................................................................................................... 14 5.3. Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 6 ................................................................................................................................ 16 6. Outcomes of the Project ................................................................................................. 16 6.1. Outcome 1………………………………………………………………………………………16 6.2. Outcome 2……………………………………………………………………………………… 18 6.3. Outcome…………………………………………………………………………………………19 6.4. Additional project benefits…………………………………………………………………… 19 Chapter 7 ................................................................................................................................ 23 7. Usage of the E-Zaraat System ........................................................................................ 23 7.1. Usage of the system by farmers .................................................................................. 23 7.1.1. Text Messages ......................................................................................................... 23 7.1.2. Helpline ..................................................................................................................... 23 7.2. Usage of the system by extension staff ....................................................................... 23 7.2.1. Entering data ............................................................................................................ 26 7.2.2. Access to knowledge ................................................................................................ 26 7.2.2.1. Access to Agricultural Advisories ........................................................................... 26 7.2.2.2. Non-conventional means of seeking expert advice ............................................... 27 7.2.2.3. Exploring innovations ............................................................................................ 27 7.2.3. Provision of extension services ................................................................................. 27 7.2.3.1. Easy and effective demonstrations ........................................................................ 27 7.2.3.2. Efficient diagnosis .................................................................................................. 28 7.2.3.3. Weather forecasts ................................................................................................. 28 ii 7.2.4. Monitoring of trends/patterns in diseases ................................................................. 28 7.2.5. Office Management .................................................................................................. 28 7.2.5.1. Use of tablets as mobile offices ............................................................................. 28 7.2.5.2. Monitoring, reporting and supervision .................................................................... 29 Chapter 8 ................................................................................................................................ 30 8. Competence of the Extension Staff in Using the System ................................................ 30 8.1. Competence of the users…………………………………………………………………… 30 8.2. Training needs……………………………………………………………………………… 31 Chapter 9 ................................................................................................................................ 32 9. Reaction of Extension Staff ............................................................................................ 32 9.1. Opinions about usefulness of E-Zaraat ....................................................................... 32 9.1.1. Motivation and Commitment of the Team ................................................................. 32 9.1.2. Meeting Expectations ............................................................................................... 33 9.1.3. Vision for the future ................................................................................................... 33 9.1.4. Most useful areas of the project ................................................................................ 33 Chapter 10 .............................................................................................................................. 34 10. Issues and suggestions .................................................................................................. 34 10.1. Farmers’ perspective ................................................................................................... 34 10.2. Extension workers’ perspective ................................................................................... 34 10.3. Proposed organizational structure ............................................................................... 38 Chapter 11 .............................................................................................................................. 39 11. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 39 References ............................................................................................................................