Project title: Visioning, Policy Analysis and Gender (V-PAGe)

Consortium leader:      Dr. P. K. Joshi

Principal Investigator: Dr. Suresh Pal

Project team: NCAP (lead), IASRI, NRCWA, NAARM, Yes Bank, Agriwatch and 14 PME Cells in

                        ICAR institutes and SAUs

Background:

The main goal of the project is to enhance the capacity for strategic policy planning and implementation, leveraging innovations for agricultural transformation and empowerment of women.

Objectives:

1.    Understand and accelerate the innovation process– role of Science & Technology systems

2.    Capacity strengthening for agricultural policy research

3.    Changing roles of the ‘actors’—centre and state systems

4.    Capacity to assess the final outcomes and impacts—gender issues

Study Area: All India

Methodology:

The following components are planned in the project using appropriate methodologies

Component I: Visioning of Indian Agriculture

·       Sharing of agricultural scenarios, implications and training programs

Component II: Technology Forecasting

·       Documentation of R&D strategies in India vis-s-vis other countries.

·       Implications of emerging and/or evolving technologies, e.g., nano-technology, sustainability science, biotechnology, ICT, etc.

·       Assessment of technological needs, physical and human capital requirements to meet these needs

Component III: Policy Analysis and Market Intelligence

·       Case studies, training programs and networking activities

·       Demand-supply of commodities and market intelligence

Component IV: Research Impact Assessment

·       Documentation of research outputs

·       Capacity development for PME activities and strengthening PME Cells

Component V: Gender Issues in Agriculture

·       Identifying gender issues in agriculture and assess consequences of gender bias

·       Studies on gender issues in extension, rice farming and aquaculture

Component VI: Role of Centre and State systems in Agriculture

·       Case studies on the role of centre and state systems in agriculture and partnerships in agricultural R&D

·       Review of existing policies, legal issues, and problems at state level

Key findings/achievements:

1.    Dissemination of the information on  scenario planning through PME Note and scenario building exercise  of  dairy, hill and rainfed agriculture scenario is in progress

2.    Review of technology forecasting methods and preparation for workshop to compile future technological needs for rice is in progress

3.    Studies on status of plant biotech research in India and impact assessment of important technologies

4.    Study on gender issues in R&D and review of schemes and action research with consortia partners

5.    Organised workshop on ‘Roles of Centre and State Systems in August 2007 at Bangalore

6.    Case studies on the role of centre - state systems in agriculture and partnerships in agricultural R&D and review of existing policies, legal issues and problems at state levels

7.    Examination of scientific productivity in NARS and  status of agricultural economics research in India

8.    Activities on networking of agricultural economists in progress.

Funding agency: NAIP