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

Programme design Programme 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 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 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 ( ) livestock census (2007) and rainfall data (for 35 years preceding 2005, linked to maps in a GIS ), and district-level agri-input survey ( ) and other relevant variables (130 nos.) related to rainfed agriculture

C. Institutional arrangement and support systems RRA Core GroupAdvisory 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