Baseline study for “Sustainable livelihood through improved farming ecosystem and supported enterprise”
Abu Road and Pindwara
For Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)
Year: 2023
Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) was founded in 1983 with an aim to alleviate rural poverty. It is presently among India’s foremost agencies working in the deep deprived rural pockets of the country.
At Abu Road and Pindwara block of Sirohi district in Rajasthan, it is working to empower the marginalized tribal communities under the Bajaj-funded project “Sustainable livelihood through improved farming ecosystem and supported enterprise”. The project seeks to empower marginalized communities of the area by strengthening community-based organizations, farming ecosystem, and market access. Phase I of the project has already has been completed focusing on improving production, income & nutrition through agriculture and animal husbandry, enterprises and community-based organization creation and health and hygiene of girls and women.
Before the beginning of Phase II of the project, the baseline study was conducted by Samavit, to build on the major learning evolved out of Phase I and identify gaps and areas for improvement.
The baseline study was undertaken with the following objectives:
- To generate data for the current socio-economic and hygiene condition, agricultural practices and challenges faced by the target communities.
- To Identify the gaps, specific challenges and bottlenecks of Phase I of the project that may hinder the successful completion of the project.
- Utilize the baseline data to address the specific needs and priorities of the communities in Phase II of the project.
The study employed a mixed-method approach to collect the data. Quantitative data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire based household surveys using Kobo Toolbox. Qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) with officials and community leaders and focus group discussions (FGDs) with SHG members, women led enterprises and collectives. The data was verified through secondary research.
Samavit delivered an inception report containing finalized data collection tools, methodology and timeline of the study. Enumerators were trained to collect household data using the Kobo toolbox. Interviews and discussions with the officials, community members, SHGs etc. were done by the research team of Samavit at Abu Road and Pindwara. Both raw and cleaned datasets along with the final draft report was submitted that contained report summary, analyzed and interpreted data. Final report was submitted after incorporating feedback from PRADAN.
