Overview
This projects aims to improve the livelihoods of women and marginal farmers by out-scaling smart, efficient irrigation and agricultural practices through farmer collectives, in the Eastern Gangetic Plains
The combination of appropriate agricultural and irrigation practices, and innovative social interventions through farmer collectives, seen through previous ACIAR projects, have demonstrated opportunities to strengthen marginal and tenant farmer livelihoods in the Eastern Gangetic Plains.
While a promising model, with broad development implications for food security and poverty alleviation, further research is required to facilitate scaling, social inclusiveness and resilience of cooperatives to withstand future climatic, hydrological, social and economic stresses.
The projects key activities include gender research in one of the demonstration sites, strengthening marginal farmer groups and focusing on key research questions required to out-scale and ensure sustainability.
Expected project outcomes
- Improving marginal farmers’ agricultural productivity and profitability using climate-smart irrigation and water management practices.
- Evaluating and facilitating institutional structures, policy frameworks and value chains that support the long-term sustainability of farmer collectives at a village level.
