Flagship Project 1

Agriculture continues to play an important role in developing economies, yet with increasing rural-urban migration, ageing farm population, and waning interest of rural youth in agriculture, its sustainability is increasingly under threat. Here, Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr S. Nedumaran from ICRISAT and Flagship Project 1 shares results from a recent research paper with colleague Swamikannu Nedumaran, looking at aspirations amongst rural youth.

Agriculture is the main source of income worldwide. However, in India there is a declining trend in the proportion of workforce employed in this sector, with many people seeking alternative employment. Here, Dr Pratheepa CM and Dr Rengalakshmi R from MSSRF and TIGR2ESS Flagship Project 1 describe the ability of two caste groups in rural Tamil Nadu to secure non-farm work.

The relationship between food consumption and physical activity is an important one, particularly for researchers looking into food consumption patterns in relation to nutritional balance. Here, Flagship Project 1 Research Associate Astha Upadhyay from TIGR2ESS collaborator PRADAN shares her recent experience using activity monitors in the community she researches in Chakai, Bihar.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges for researchers. Those who usually work in the field have been particularly affected. Here, TIGR2ESS intern Ellie Brain shares her experience of carrying out research remotely. She outlines key principles used for evaluating development initiatives from afar, considering the caveats based on personal experience, but also remote research’s power to highlight research’s pre-existing limitations and what can be done to change them.

​ Justifications for supporting India’s agricultural sector typically lack an environmental perspective. A solution to this could be to think of the benefits of farming as public goods. Here, Flagship Project 1 intern Anna Gardner discusses a public goods case for public support to agriculture in India.

With the onset of Kharif (monsoon) in the southern states of India, the majority of farmers have started procurement of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Amidst COVID-19 induced disruptions in input production and distribution, the state governments are making efforts to ensure timely distribution of inputs to farmers. Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr Nedumaran Swamikannu's recent field survey in Warangal rural district allowed them to investigate emerging issues around inputs. Here, they summarise their findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis but an economic crisis too. In particular, the anxiety and fear COVID-19 has created among the poor is unprecedented. It has also created a double burden for this group; loss of income now and loss of hope, or aspirations, for the future. Here, Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr S. Nedumaran from Flagship Project 1 at ICRISAT examine the evidence for policies to improve aspirations in times of crisis.

Women’s role in agriculture is of the utmost importance not only for developing the rural economy but also in ensuring food security. During COVID-19 lockdown in India, women’s unpaid workload in both domestic chores and care for family has noticeably increased. Here, Dr Pratheepa and Dr Rengalakshmi from the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) describe the situation faced by agricultural labour families in their study area for TIGR2ESS Flagship Project 1 and how women are tackling the lockdown period.