End-line Study of Community-based Adaptation Project ‘Where the Rain Falls’ in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra for CARE India
The WTRF project was implemented by CARE India with financial support from AXA in Bagicha and Pathalgaon blocks of Jashpur district. The project was implemented since 2014 with the ultimate aim to increase climate resilience of 3000 tribal women and their households in 40 villages of the program district and to curtail shocks and stresses among the tribal women emerging due to climate change. The project interventions advocated ‟promotion of community-based strategies and practices” evolved by CARE India. The endline evaluation was conducted to provide evidence-based information that is comparable (pre and post interventions) and summarize the quantitative and qualitative results and outcomes from WtRF activities. The study focused on identifying key lessons learnt and provide recommendations that contribute to the sustainability of this project and aid in the overall enhancement of the programming of CARE and its partners in India.
Tracer Study of Maharashtra Agri-skilling Programme (MASP) in 6 Districts of Maharashtra for Palladium India Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
The study was conducted to understand the change in knowledge, skills, attitude and practice of the MASP participants of phase 1 with regard to group farming and Farmer Producer Organizations. It also focused on understanding the skills acquired by farmers on farming practices, crop management, technology, setting up and management of FPOs, exposure to market linkages and networks and changing/emerging aspirations of farmers from the perspective of group farming. The study tried to assess the program reach to a diverse set of farmers in terms of gender, caste, disability, religion and to document the key learning from the first phase of the program so as to offer strategic directions for the remaining phases. The study adopted a blend of quantitative and qualitative approach. One-to-one interviewswere conducted with 2200 farmers of six sample districts and focus group discussions (FGDs) with the members of FPC and Non-FPC. Secondary research involved reviewing various documents such as tracer study brief, MSDP M&E Plan, PMKVY Guideline, interim progress reports, MIS data and training modules.
Study on “Gender Analysis in Red Chilli Value Chains” in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana for CARE India
The study aimed to find out the current state of gender and livelihoods in the supply chain of Red Chilli and determine the roadmap for further actions. The study also tried to identified the barriers to gender equality women face at individual, relationship and environmental levels including the cultural norms that factor into decision making and power structures. The study followed a mixed approach to gather the information. Women farmers and their spouses engaged in red chilli value chains were interviewed using CAPI method. Besides, focus group discussions were also conducted with farmers and factory workers. The discussions followed the participatory approach to explore the key areas of enquiry across the value chains i.e. farmer’s activity profile along with the seasonal calendar of red chilli VC, household chores, challenges faced by them in maintaining a secure livelihood, etc. Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) with suppliers and other market actors in RCVC were also conducted.
Study on “Analysis and Recommendations to Improve “Gender Equality in Barley Value Chains” for CARE Consulting (USA Team)
Care Consulting had supported Ab InBev in 2018 to establish a model from which the company could further evolve its approach to gender for its better world agenda for Phase 1. The organization then planned for Phase 2 for adopting and adapting the gender transformation tools created in Phase 1 to integrate gender in Agriculture. The study focused on; mapping out roles of women in the Barley value chains; identify the barriers to gender equality women face at an individual, relationship and environmental level; recommend solutions to best capitalize on opportunities and address the challenges identified and design KPIs to measure social and commercial success and finally outline a plan for integrating recommended solutions into existing programs or create new programs. In a nutshell, the study attempted to provide an insight in making decisions on how to integrate gender into AB InBev’s agriculture programming with regard to skills building, connectivity, and financial empowerment.
Documentation of “Climate Change Adaptation and Cotton Production (CCACP) Project” in Buldhana district, Maharashtra CARE India
Based on the experience of ‘Where the Rain Falls’ project, CARE India implemented the same model for the benefit of the cotton based agricultural economy and water stressed communities in Buldhana district of Maharashtra. The project focused on developing environmentally sound and climate resilient cotton production model plots for demonstration on the lands of traditionally cotton growing women smallholders of 10 villages. The package included; modules on good practices for cotton production, as well as inputs like seeds, bio-fertilizers, farm equipment and post-harvest storage materials. This assignment was entrusted to CMSR Consultants with the aim to document the project learnings and disseminate the project experience of promoting climate resilient cotton production so as to inform key stakeholders on various State, National, and International Platforms. At the community level, discussion was conducted with lead farmers/demo plot farmers to understand their acceptance and response in switching over from BT cotton to organic cotton cultivation. Interviews with key stakeholders at block/district level (Agriculture department / Extension department / Trainers/ KVKs, etc.) were also done.
Data Collection for Animal Protein Consumption Study in Four States for Indian Agribusiness Consortium
The study was conducted in four states i.e. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Assam. The scope of the study involved conducting a survey among 4704 households spread across the four states. Besides, the study team also administered the survey questionnaire among the representative of selected Abattoirs, Retail Stores (modern and conventional), HRI Sector, Dairy Companies (Co-op & Pvt.), Poultry companies (Meat & Egg), Meat Wholesalers, Fish Wholesalers, Poultry (Chicken) Wholesalers, Egg Wholesalers and Milk Wholesalers.
End-line Study of School Support Program (SSP) for United Way Delhi:
The SSP program was started with the goal to provide inclusive and quality education for all children. The broad objective of the program was to help government schools and schools run by nonprofit agencies for marginalized children in Delhi and NCR. The program established a community-based Youth Resource Center which provided the youth with essential life skills like communication, information about better career opportunities as well as avenues for skill development. The objective of the assessment was to measure the changes that occurred among the students/youth in terms of improvement in their academic performance, change in their conduct and behavior, change in awareness level towards health and hygiene practices and also the changes in the school infrastructure.
Study on Prevention and Control of Anemia among Adolescent Girls in Sitamarhi and Vaishali Districts of Bihar for Centre for Communication and Change - India (CCC-I):
The purpose of the study was to understand the barriers, social norm and behaviour related to nutrition and health among adolescent girls and also to assess their understanding of anaemia, its salience and consequences with the objective to generate concrete and actionable ideas that would guide development of intervention program/strategy and implementation plan. The tasks performed by CMSR Consultants included IDI with adolescent girls and their parents, FGDs with adolescent girls, KIIs with front line workers at village level and several officials at the block, district and state level. In addition, there was an Observation at household and school level on cooking and consumption practices and norms, hygiene, WASH facilities and behaviours that impact the health of adolescent girls as well as Rapid Rural Appraisals (RRA) including transect walk, daily activity schedule of households and seasonal calendar.
Perception Survey on Air Quality in 17 Cities for ASAR Social Impact Advisors:
The purpose of the study was to get insights from people about air pollution and their extent of knowledge regarding its implications. The study covered 5000 respondents through both online and offline survey from 17 cities. The sample cities were classified into two major categories i.e. most polluted cities (Delhi & NCR, Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi, Amritsar, Singrauli, Dhanbad, Raipur, Korba, Chandrapur, Angul and Nagpur) andcities which are fast becoming polluted (Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai & Calcutta).The on-line survey link was also shared by the Support Agencies among their people in order to draw a comparison between the neutral audiences and those who are already working on air pollution or environmental issues in terms of their knowledge, awareness and attitude towards air pollution.
Evaluation of Truckers Engagement Project – Suhana Safar for Development Alternatives (DA):
“Suhana Safar” program was funded by MAERSK and implemented by “Development Alternatives” for improving the quality of life of the containerised truck drivers through imparting training & orientation about Road safety, and WASH at Dadri and Tughlaqabad Depots. The task of conducting an “End-line evaluation” of the “Suhana Safar” program was entrusted to CMSR Consultants for learning lessons on the outcome and impact of the program. The study involved interviewing 455 Truck Drivers and Helpers, and 50 family members of the truck drivers apart from Focus Group Discussions with community members and In-depth interviews with the representatives of Trucking Associations & Companies.
Baseline Study of ‘Born Learning’ Program in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand for United Way Delhi:
The ‘Born Learning’ is a United Way Worldwide program, aimed at the overall well-being and development of the new born in its most formative years (0-6 years) of growth and development and to improve the infrastructural facilities including WASH in the selected 20 Anganwadi centers of Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. CMSR Consultants conducted thebaseline study for United Way Delhi to know the existing conditions of the AWCs so as to set up a benchmark and their actual need for improvement. The study adopted a mix of quantitative and qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with Anganwadi Workers/Helpers and Mothers of children (0-3 years) and children (3-6 years). A Focus Group Discussion checklist was prepared to conduct the discussions with community members.
Baseline Study for Pathways’ Supplemental Grant Period I CARE India
Pathways project was implemented during 2012 – 2015 and presently the Gates Foundation has extended the Pathways program for one more year from April, 2016 to March, 2017 under the Supplemental Grant Period (SGP). CARE India contemplated to utilise this Grant for consolidating project outcomes and learning for sustainability, scale up and replicating best practices in other project locations through a wide range of stakeholders. CMSR Consultants undertook this Baseline survey at the beginning of this extended period in order to ascertain the project impact at a later stage towards completion of the project and their sustainability.
Impact Assessment Study in 14 Project Districts of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh under Godhan Program I BAIF Development Research Foundation
The study was undertaken for BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune. The study was conducted to understand the project impact on the target group and also to understand the functioning of various programmes for course correction and lessons learned. It has also improved decision making for the current or next generation socio-economic development projects, including Field Performance Recording (FPR), documentation, M & E, and research. The study involved large scale data collection in field (face to face interviews with 3000 farmers and 1500 DIG members). Besides, 100 focus group discussions were also conducted in field with farmers and DIG members and telephonic interviews were conducted with 10000 farmers.
Media Collective for Child Rights (MCCR) I UNICEF State Office, Chhattisgarh
A collaborative effort of CMSR Foundation and UNICEF State Office, Chhattisgarh to focus on promoting Child Rights issues in the state. Through media workshops, field visits, mentorship and training & capacity building of different stakeholders, this initiative aims towards collective mobilization of media, civil society, government officials and elected representatives of Chhattisgarh to ensure children are able to enjoy their basic human rights related to education, health, nutrition and safety form violence and trafficking.