rd
(Southern Region)
Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India
ANGR Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030

India is striding ahead to face the gigantic triple challenges of sustainable increased agriculture productivity, environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation which are further aggravated by climate charge, global competition and rapidly advancing technologies. In order to meet these challenges, research and extension systems have to be structured and the client system has to be organized.
Andhra Pradesh is India`s one of the largest states with about 60-70 percent of population engaged in Agriculture comprising of 80 percent small and marginal farmers. The productivity and production from various crops is very low.
Farmers are not able to organize themselves to get access to credit and marketing the research, extension and farmer linkages are also relatively week. The agricultural development depends on development on appropriate technologies which has to be decided by technology management system comprising of all the stakeholders namely; research, extension, farmers, markets etc.,
The current system of extension is based on the linear transfer of technology model which need to be made more response to the local situation and community needs. Therefore the shift should focus on providing integrated range of services and to make the grass root workers work more on the location specific problems and be accountable to the community. The new approach also calls for organizing farmers into commodity interest groups / farmers interest groups and federations so that these institutions become the platforms to deliver the integrated range of services from production to marketing. The above interventions calls for preparing plans from the village level with convergence and in a participatory manner involving all stakeholders, similarly, the technology should be emerging from location specific needs and practices as well as the transfer should be through multi-media and multi-agencies extension approaches. Hence, the community managed sustainable agriculture need to be promoted in order to meet the challenges.
1.
To study the socio-economic profile and situational factors of farmers participated in the Sustainable Organic Farming Systems (SOFS) Programme.

2.
To examine the Sustainable Organic System interventions initiated by SERP under
RKVY on terms of targets and achievements.
3.
To study the extent of Participation in capacity building programmes by the sample respondents promoted through SOFS.
4.
To find out the institutional support systems in terms groups, seed banks, organic shops etc., promoted through the programme and its functioning.
5.
To unearth the awareness, knowledge and extent of adoption of different practices of NPM, Natural Resources and Cropping System in Rain Fed Sustainable
Agriculture.
6.
To find out the reduction in costs and maximization of profits by adopting SOF interventions in major crops.
7.
To find out the improvements in incomes, nutritional status and livelihoods of beneficiaries.
8.
To document the success stories and best practices which can be useful for the replication
9.
To suggest the strategies for future improvement in the operation of SOFS programme.
The reference period for evaluation is 2008-2009
The data base of the districts is very week as such the organisation has to struggle hard in contacts and communication to obtain secondary data. To cover about 3200 sample respondents spread over 18 districts was a major bottleneck in a short period. Despite of limitations more directed efforts were put forth to quantify and bring this report.
This report has five chapters. The first is introductory chapter while the second chapter covers the methodology, the results and discussions are presented in third chapter. The fourth chapter covers district wise observations and case studies (success stories) and the fifth chapter depicts the summary of the findings and recommendations.

The evaluation study was conducted in 18 districts of Andhra Pradesh following the methodology described below. The sampling procedure and methods and tools used for data collection and analysis are mainly given in this chapter.
The community managed organic farming in Rain Fed areas with support from Rastriya
Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is being implemented in 18 districts covering 240 mandals
625 clusters and 3171 villages of Andhra Pradesh ( The list of NPM villages for 2008-09 is given in Annexure II). The study was undertaken in all the 18 Districts of Andhra
Pradesh. However, for the purpose of the study 10% of randomly selected mandals (24), clusters (62) and (320) villages were selected. Proportionate random sample methodology was used for this purpose.
From 320 villages selected for the study, 3200 respondents i.e., ten farmers from each village were interviewed. In addition, the team also captured qualitative data by using participatory methods ie. Focus Group Discussions etc. Thus the total sample was about
3200 farmers, farm women and key stakeholders.
A two members team and Extension Professional namely (1) Dr. R. Ratnakar, Director,
(2) Dr. M. Suryamani Professor, Extension Education Institution, Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India, ANGR Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra
Pradesh constituted the third party Evaluation team.
The team was supported by two professional data collectors from each district. They were trained and oriented on various aspects of RKVY - Community Management Organic farming system and the methodologies. Accordingly the data teams gathered information from the beneficiaries and stakeholders.

Based on the input of consultation process and outputs to be achieved under the terms of reference, an interview schedule was prepared covering the following broad areas / variables.

Basic information and socio – economic profile of respondents

Sustainable organic farming system interventions

Capacity building and awareness creation

Institutional support systems

Costs and net returns on major crops / interventions

Knowledge, skills, adoption and opinion

Natural resource management

Non pesticide management

Suggestions and views of stakeholders
The interview schedule was pretested and used for the study. Interview method was one of the prominent methods employed for data collection
An interview guide and check lists were prepared for FGDs. It was mainly centered on awareness knowledge, skills, adoption, opinion, implementation process and constraints, sustainability and follow-up strategies. In addition, other participatory techniques like transact walk, problem analysis etc were used.
The highlights of the study FGDs were used not only by the data collectors but primarily by the team of monitoring and evaluation expert staff of EEI to generate additional data as well as to cross check the validity of data collected through questionnaires.
The evaluation team also visited the farmers fields to have the firsthand knowledge about the field condition due to sustainable organic farming system interventions. During this process it was done possible to compare the fields with farmer practices and discuss with non-beneficiaries.
The data for some of the variables is captured through secondary data obtained from districts, mandals and villages.

This was done in consultation with all stakeholders.
The statistical tools like frequency and percentages were used to interpret the data.
In order to increase the production and productivity of major crops and to accelerate the growth of agricultural and allied sectors, a special additional central assistance scheme namely Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched by the
Government of India. Under the programme, more emphasis was given on planning and maximizing returns to the small & marginal farmers especially in rain fed areas.
In Andhra Pradesh, the funding from RKVY scheme was provided for three major components of agricultural sectors namely farm mechanization, seed management and soil health management. The project for 3 rd
party evaluation is with the community managed organic farming in rain fed areas which aims at encouraging the farmers to practice organic farming and other eco friendly technologies contributing towards sustainable agricultural development.
The project is implemented by Society for Elimination of Rural
Poverty(SREP) through DRDA, government of Andhra Pradesh assisted by District
Project Officer, Cluster Activists, Village Activists and Sasyamitra groups.
The project is implemented in 18 districts of Andhra Pradesh covering 240 mandal, 625 clusters and 3171 villages of Andhra Pradesh. This study was under taken in all the districts and 24 mandal, 62 clusters, 320 villages and 3200 beneficiaries. The proportionate random sample methodology (10%) was used. In order to collect the data, an interview schedule, focus group discussions and participatory tools were used. In addition, the EEI monitoring and evaluation expert staff has generated additional data through field visits and FGDs. Success stories and observations were also documented.
The summaries of findings are given below.
1.
Majority of the sample respondents are literates, belongs to middle level age group (40-50 years) and operating small farmer holdings ranging from 2-4 acres.
2.
The major emphasis in the programme is on promoting SRI paddy, crop models,
36 x 36 model, raising vegetable & fruits, NADEP compost, NPM practices, NPM shops, seed banks, Customer hiring centres, cattle shed lining & farm ponds.
3.
The targets were fulfilled to the extent of 50-60%.

4.
It was found out that majority of beneficiaries received 1-2 training programmes and exposure visits suggesting for need to undertake more capacity building programmes at various levels.
5.
Regarding institutional support most of the participants said that they are member of the group and federated at mandal level.
6.
About 60% expressed that seed banks were established in their villages and 55% of the sample farmers were contributing to the seed banks. The NPM input shop also established on small scale.
7.
Regarding the awareness and knowledge of the sample respondents about major interventions initiated under the project indicates that they possess medium range of knowledge. However, with respect to crop models and biomass nurseries, NPM input shops more than 60% of respondent’s awareness / knowledge was low.
Majority of respondents could not explain the rational behind the use of technology promoted under the project.
8.
About 60% of sample respondents have adopted SRI / Line planting, NPM technology and vegetable growing in 36 x 36 model. The adoption of group models, biomass nurseries were done by 10-12% farmers.
9.
On an average about 2200/- – 3300/- was the reduction in costs is the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers due to adoption of NPM practices. Besides there was yield increase about 1 - 2 quintal/acre in different crops.
10.
There was increase in net additional income due to project interventions in the range of Rs.4500/- to Rs.8500/- improving nutritional status and livelihoods.
11.
There was no strong formalized convergence initiative with line departments and other organisations.
12.
Several problems and suggestions were expressed by the stakeholders who will have pointers for stream lining the project activities and arrangements.
The recommendations for the study are formulated based on the interviews held with 3200 sample beneficiary farmers, focus group discussions and interviews with about
1200 stakeholders and observations during field visits.

1.
The achievement of targets in majority of NPM interventions are ranging from 50 to
60%. Therefore it is recommended to improve the achievements through creation of public awareness, capacity building and farmer / group led extension.
2.
The capacity building of all the field functionaries was not adequate. Therefore it is important that adequate technical expertise need to be developed for effective transfer of NPM and other organic farming technologies. In this direction it is recommended to organize more training programmes and exposure visits to field staff based on need assessment.
3.
It is also suggested to undertake more capacity building programmes, exposure visits, field days and kissan melas and exhibitions to motivate and encourage farmer to adopt appropriate technologies and also spread the same to the neighbouring farmers.
4.
Regarding the quality methodology of field school approach adopted under the project to empower the farmers on the technologies need to be improved and revitalized by developing curriculum with systematic procedures. In this direction it is recommended to organize a curriculum development workshop with project staff and experts. It is also important that more systematic training be given to the NGOs and project staff, implementing FFS through master trainers.
5.
Although there was good effort in terms of group formulation, yet more efforts are required to further strengthen the groups on knowledge and skills on post harvesting technologies and marketing.
6.
The concept of seed banks need to be extended to more number of villages and major crops grown in the project area. At present this is confined mostly to paddy only.
Further, more seed production can also be viewed as income generation activity for the farmers.
7.
It is recommended that the NPM inputs are standardized, shops are commercialized and established at cluster and mandal levels, which can help in confidence building and promotion of the NPM products locally prepared by the farmers.
8.
Apart from increasing knowledge and skills of the farmers it is strongly recommend that more efforts are needed by the project authorities to empower farmers on “why” and “how” of technologies. Most of the project officials were unable to explain the rationale behind the use of technologies.
9.
It is recommended to further increase the net income and to move towards sustainable agriculture, therefore there is need for integration of crop / livestock, plantations, forestry systems etc. in the small and marginal farmer holdings in rainfed areas.
10.
The extent of adoption of various activities promoted through the project is not encouraging. There is ample scope to motivate more farmers to adopt the technologies as they are simple and easily adoptable. In this direction the project

authorities may look into the reasons given by the farmers for non-adoption of technologies and try to find solutions.
11.
There is a need for intensive effort to council and guide the stakeholders changing the attitude about organic farming and NPM practices. Therefore intensive public awareness campaigns at various levels are advocated.
12.
The project has demonstrated getting net additional income and benefits due to the reduction in the cost of pesticides and chemical fertilizers besides improving the nutritional status and livelihoods. In order to extend the benefits to more farmers, wider publicity though organization of one day campaigns using multimedia approach is recommended.
13.
It is recommended to strengthen convergence initiatives by involving the line departments and project officials in planning and implementation of the programme from grass root level. Joint planning, implementation and monitoring will go a long way for effective convergence which can help for rationalizing and hormonilizing the resources for up scaling the programme. This aspect seems to be not encouraging.
14.
The problems highlighted and he suggestions offered by the stakeholders could be effective indicators for streamlining and strengthening the initiatives of the project.
The organic farming is an important step for marching ahead towards sustainable agriculture. Several organic farming interventions were demonstrated with small and marginal farmers. However, more capacity building activities and quality Farmers Field Schools are needed to further strengthen the project initiatives. The scope of the project can be extended with strong formalized convergence initiatives with line departments and other related organizations. It is important to realize better multiplier effect of the project activities more intensive involvement of NGOs and promoting farmers / group led extension is necessary. The integrated agriculture with different farming systems is formed to be wanting to meet the demands of organic farming system in rainfed areas.