Research Group – ResRA RRA Network Review Workshop - 9 May 2013

A. Context

Agricultural research approach favors irrigated areas

Public investment favors irrigated areas

ResRA – To facilitate research which will

- help us understand rainfed agriculture and communities better

- help better implementation of CP and thematic node programmes

- showcase/project gains from CP programme implementation

Objectives

To support research to generate empirical evidence on key issues

To ensure that knowledge is used for programme implementation and policy advocacy

To create a critical mass of scholars and scholarship

To raise funds for programme

Basic information

Duration- since April 2012

Resources- 4 Research Core Group (RCG) members (on voluntary basis) - 1 full time Research Officer (April 2012) - 2 Research Associates (December 2012) - 1 Research Associate (April 2013-through other funds)

Financial resources spent during last one year- Rs. 1693351

Programme designProgramme objective

1.To support research to generate empirical evidence on key issues

2. To ensure that knowledge is used for programme implementation and policy advocacy

3. To create a critical mass of scholars and scholarship

4. Fund raising for ResRA programme

Programme Area * Policy research

* Research in CP Programme areas

* Research support and outreach

* Fellowships and Research Grants, and Internship Programme

* Fund raising

Programme components

* Policy research

- Independent projects

* Research in CP Programme areas

-Survey research-Action research

- Commissioning research studies

-Development of a knowledge portal

-ResRA research

- Fellowships and Research Grants Programme

- Internship programme

Fund raising

Broad approach and strategy – key elements

Research facilitation

Conduct research

RCG members, the main bridge between ResRA and external researchers

Every programme implementation based on a process document prepared detailing all related elements

Participatory approach

Collaboration – with other thematic nodes, CPs, NGOs, research institutes

B. Key activities- ResRA research

2 studies and 1 policy brief planned (RCG members, collaboration with IIED, Ravindra)

3 studies and 1 policy brief generated

Key activities- Commissioning research studies

Planned to commission 10 research studies

Achieved – 1+1 studies

Learning:- Outreach for identifying research topics and researchers has to be planned better- Define clearly the kind of research projects that will be supported

Key activities- Developing indicators for baseline survey

Planned development of baseline survey questionnaire by January

Indicators developed for six nodes

Key activities- implementing Internship programme

Planned to support 10 interns during 2012-13

Supported 4 interns (2012) + 5 interns (2013)

Learning: - Need to engage reviewers to help improve internship reports

Key activities- implementing Fellowships and Research Grants programme

Planned to support 3 Fellowships and Research Grants, each, in 2012-13

No applicants chosen so far

Learning:- Define clearly the kind of research projects that will be supported - It takes time for the programme to build credibility

Key activities- raising funds

Planned to submit concept note to DST

Concept note has been submitted

Key activities- developing a knowledge portal

Yet to begin work on this

Key activities- other collaborative work

Supported Dr. J.Venkateswarlu - in district level study on reclassification of rainfed and irrigation districts;mapping and analysis of various socio-economic indicators across various rainfed typologies

Coordinated work with GRAMENER by providing data and all required support

Created and maintaining database on block level agricultural census (2005-06) livestock census (2007) and rainfall data (for 35 years preceding 2005, linked to maps in a GIS ), and district-level agri-input survey (2006-07) and other relevant variables (130 nos.) related to rainfed agriculture

C. Institutional arrangement and support systems

RRA Core Group Advisory Committee\ /RCG (ResRA)

RRA Secretariat - I - Nodes, Other agencies

Staff (ResRA)

Contribution to RRA Network building

Represented RRA in three forums

Successful management of institutional relationships with some key players

Other researchers brought into contact with the RRAN

D. Analysis and reflection

More research from ResRA in addition to facilitating research

More focus on CP areas (beyond survey)

A top priority is to identify research topics and researchers

A draft outreach strategy has been circulated

Necessary to define the kind of research that will be supported

More emphasis on streamlining of ResRA staff work and accountability

Reflection on institutional arrangement

Advisory Committee nearly in place

Key takeaway in relation to our work

Facilitating in order to get more researchers on board time consuming

ResRA involvement in research to enhance outputs

Way forward

Proposal submitted

No major changes expected