ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF NEEM SEED COLLECTION LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC

STATUS OF RURAL WOMEN IN GUJARAT

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Study conducted by AFC India Limited

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF NEEM SEED COLLECTION LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC

STATUS OF RURAL WOMEN IN GUJARAT

This study was undertaken by AFC India Limited (formerly Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd., wholly owned by Commericial Banks, NABARD, EXIM Bank) on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The views in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNDP.

UNDP works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this study was undertaken by AFC India Limited (formerly Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd., wholly owned by Commercial Banks, NABARD, EXIM Bank). The views in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNDP.

INDEX

CHAPTER SUBJECT PAGE NO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

I CONTEXT 7

II PROJECT BACKGROUND 12

III SCOPE OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY 16

IV METHODOLOGY 18

V IMPACT ASSESSMENT 25

VI PROJECT RESULTS SUMMARY 36

VII NEEM PROJECT: A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT 43

VIII SCALING UP MODEL AND REPLICABILITY 46

VIII CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS 50

ANNEXES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during his speech on the 69th Independence Day celebrations, spoke about 100 per cent neem coating of urea which has helped to end diversion of subsidised urea for non-agricultural purposes. The Government of India has mandated 100 percent neem coating of urea from 2014-2015 as it reduces the application of urea by 10 percent, protects crops from several diseases and is instrumental in controlling the deterioration of soil fertility in the long term. It also helps reduce pilferage to non-farm segments and is expected to have a profound impact on the demand-supply balance, self-sufficiency in fertilizers, dependence on imports, subsidy payouts, demand for hydrocarbons, especially gas, and the environment.

Gujarat has approximately 45 million neem trees as per the Tree Census of 2013 of the State Forest Department. Each neem tree yields between 10 to 25 kg of neem seeds in a season.

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GNFC) turned the Indian Government’s decision into an opportunity and embarked on the Neem Project as a backward integration project to manufacture neem oil and organic neem cake fertilizer. Economic empowerment of women and the rural poor by generating supplementary income for farmers, women poor landless labourers was another key objective. The project banks upon the economic potential and consumer appeal of neem agricultural products like neem oil, neem cake, neem pesticides and neem-coated urea. The project was conceived by Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of GNFC.

GNFC is implementing this project through a network of 69 Narmada Khedut Sahay Kendra (NKSK) outlets across the state. Through this network, a supply chain for neem seed collection has been created with a focus on employment-generation opportunities for women. Various women’s collectives like Self-help Groups (SHGs), Milk Cooperatives, Sakhi Mandals, Pani Samitis, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) etc. have been included in the supply chain. These Village Level Collection Centres (VLCCs) serve as the primary collection centres. More than 2200 VLCCs have been set up. After collection, the VLCC transports the neem seeds to the authorised service provider. The seeds are then stored at designated places for drying and then processed through expellers and solvent units at GNFC.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted an assessment of the socio-economic impact of Neem Project on rural poor women since its inception. The key objective was to understand the changes brought about by interventions in the livelihood situation and decision-making roles of rural women, and better understand the factors driving those changes, and the level of participation of the community and other stakeholders.

Conducted in rural areas of four districts with different agro-climatic zones– Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Patan and Banaskantha, the study adopted a mixed method approach, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study covered 2021 in-depth interviews of women involved in neem seed collection, 202 interviews with women not involved in the project (to understand the extent of intervention-impact), and Focused Group Discussions (FDGs) with 74 stakeholders. Eight semi-structured interview schedules were used to get the required information and to evaluate the impact at the individual, community as well as

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household level along with discussions with key officials from GNFC, different government departments, NGOs and other related institutions.

The assessment came to the following conclusions:

The Women engaged in neem seed collection are mostly from o Increased income:socio-economically backward groups that traditionally depend on agricultural labour as the primary source of income. During the lean season, when there are fewer livelihood opportunities, the income from neem seed collection is an important lifeline. The average income from neem seed collection activity is around INR 7,000 per season, making neem seed collection a viable rural income generating activity. The average income of women before neem seed collection was INR 12,000 per year, which means collecting neem seeds has increased their average annual income by 58.3 percent.

As most of the family members are engaged in labour, they o Reduction in migration: migrate to other places in search of work during the lean period. Because the family members engaged in neem seed collection have supplementary incomes, there is decrease in migration. There are anecdotal evidences of reduction in of mortgaging their valuable belongings to money lenders .

Many women, especially in tribal areas, reported o Enhanced decision-making role:that the income earned by collecting neem seeds fetches for them more respect from their families and society. They felt empowered to take control and manage their income and expenditure. There is also an increasing and encouraging trend of women investing in assets.

Most women reported investing in assets such as livestock and o Asset Creation:stoves. 18 percent women reported owning assets because of the project and 30 percent said they have now control over their savings. Income is generally spent on food, health, children’s education, asset ownership and personal luxuries, including accessories. The pattern of expenses reveals that most of the total earnings from neem seed collection – as much as 71 percent – is used on food, 7 percent on clothes, 10 percent on education, and around 6 percent each on health and miscellaneous purposes.

Almost 13 percent of women respondents shared o Reduction in Domestic Violence:that there had been a reduction in domestic violence after they joined the project. Women also reported greater aspirations to improve their social and economic conditions and voiced their interest in enhancing their skills.

In addition, the assessment also stressed that the neem seed collectors should be made aware of and trained in sustainable harvesting practices, cleaning, grading and value addition to the seeds to promote diversified use and to increase shelf-life.

The Neem Project has huge potential to provide substantial supplementary income to poor and vulnerable households. In view of the high demand for neem seeds and neem oil, there is scope to scale up by way of more women getting involved in neem seed collection. The project has also generated various models of scalability which have been developed and managed by women including women entrepreneurs. The project can also be adopted by other states where neem trees are in abundance and in which urea-based fertilizer companies operate.

CONTEXT

India is an agricultural country, with 70 percent of its population dependent on agriculture, which contributes to around one-third of the national income. Agronomic threats such as pests, loss of soil fertility and lack of nutrients cause irreversible damage to the crops and, there by, the economy. Fertilizers, used to address the issue of nutrient supply to crop plants contain vital nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K), which are mainly consumed by plants for growth. Since these nutrients gets removed from soil as

1plant grow . The role of fertilizers in replenishing them and there by boosting agricultural production can’t be understated.

Lamentably, N is universally deficient in Indian soils, and understandably, 99 percent soils 32respond to N application . Among all N fertilizers, urea is the commonly used nitrogen

fertiliser in the world. This could be attributed to its high nitrogen content of 46 percent. Over the years, urea has become the primary source for N application in India. In Gujarat, the consumption of nutrients NPK has increased from 11,071 tonnes to 1,279,924 tonnes in a span of 45 years (1960-2005). This could be attributed to the encouragement of the government through subsidised fertilizers. There is a need to shift from exclusive use of chemical fertilizers to nutrient management as Gujarat’s NPK level is higher than the country’s average.

Figure 1 Trends of urea production, consumption and import

1. Sustainable growth of Agriculture in India, https://books.google.co.in2. Nitrogen in Indian Agriculture, http://www.faidelhi.org

3. Nitrogen in Indian Agriculture, http://www.faidelhi.org

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4Trends show that the consumption of urea outpaces its production . The government imports a small percentage of urea to fill the gap ( Figure 1)

When ordinary urea is applied, it gets converted to ammonium carbonate. Some of this gets 5

converted to ammonia gas called ammonia volatilisation . About 8-10 percent nitrogen is lost 6during volatilisation . Only 30-40 percent of nitrogen present in the urea is utilised by crops,

7while 50 percent is not assimilated . Volatilisation is more pronounced in alkaline soils mostly found in India. Neem has properties that check nitrogen loss at each stage. It slows

8down the process of nitrate formation and hence excess nitrate is not available for de-nitrification.

Neem

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica L.) is a tropical evergreen tree native to India and is also found in other southeast countries. In India, neem is known as “the village pharmacy” due to its healing versatility and medicinal properties, and has been used in ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years. Neem is also called ‘arista’ in Sanskrit- meaning ‘perfect, complete and imperishable’. Neem oil is widely used in ayurvedic pharmaceutical industry,

9cosmetics, and in manufacturing of insecticides/pesticides .

Agricultural sector in India is becoming a major consumer of neem products - neem oil, neem cake, neem pesticides, neem coated urea, etc. These are being used as manure and also as pesticides in organic farming. There is immense potential of neem based products in India, which can be tapped if the medicinal plant - as part of agro-forestry and Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) - is popularised and its value added products such as neem soap, oil, fertilizers are produced through village industries.

4. Fertilizer Scenario in India, http://indianresearchjournals.com5. http://www.ipni.net/publication/nitrogen-en.nsf/book6. Nitrogen Fertilizer Volatilisation, http://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility

7. www.ureaknowhow.com8. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in9. gnfcneem.in

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Neem trees in Gujarat10Neem tree is the second most abundant tree found in Gujarat . There are approximately 45

11million neem tress in Gujarat . Majority of neem trees are situated in Mehsana, Kheda, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar and Gandhinagar districts.

10. Tree Census Report Gujarat, 2009.11. Trees Census Report, 2013.

Figure 2: Tree population in Gujarat as per Tree Census 2013 of Forest Department

Figure 3: Top 15 Districts - Neem Tree Population in Gujarat

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Neem Coated Urea

Neem, with properties to check nitrogen loss at each stage, slows down the process of nitrate formation and hence excess nitrate is not available for de-nitrification. Neem’s nitrification

12inhibition properties have been scientifically proven . It slows down the process of nitrogen release from urea. It is the best nitrification inhibiting agent till date.

Neem oil is sprayed on urea to produce ‘Neem Coated Urea’. It holds less moisture than plain urea, which makes the neem coated urea less prone to freezing, and hence preventing the formation of lumps and granules in the soil or storage bags. This improves efficiency by 10 to

13 1415 percent and thereby reduces the consumption of urea. Benefits of neem Coated Urea are:

Slows process of nitrification of urea;o

Decreases urea requirement, and hence saves money.o

With about 10 percent reduction in consumption of urea, there is a net saving of about Rs. 13.5 per bag.

Gujarat

Gujarat is a flourishing state with a rich cultural heritage. As a result, numerous people from different parts of the country have settled here for various reasons like trade, education, etc. With changing times, the state has prospered and is on the path of development. Its people are strongly bound by their ancient value system.

15Scheduled Tribes constitutes 14.75 percent of the total population of Gujarat. The major occupation of Gujarati people, irrespective of the tribe, is farming. A significant number of people are also associated with business. A majority of the tribal people work as agricultural labourers.

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Figure 4: Number of female workers by main industrial categories

12. gnfcneem.in13.gnfcneem.in14.gnfcneem.in15.https://trti.gujarat.gov.in/district-wise-population

Rural Urban

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The decadal growth rate of female population in rural area is lower at 9.37 percent when compared to the national average of 12.25 percent. On the contrary in urban areas, the growth rate is higher at 35.78 percent compared to the national average of 33.73 percent. Literacy rate among women is 70.73 percent higher than 65.46 percent at national level. Highest literacy rate has been found in Ahmedabad with lowest in Dahod. Most of the educated women are running business or employed in the service industry (as opposed to manufacturing), whereas illiterate or functionally literate women are engaged in agriculture or in other manual jobs.

Rural women work primarily as agricultural labourers and are usually illiterate, belonging to economically backward families.

16. International Research Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2013.

Figure 5: Education Level of Women Workers

They face financial difficulties during the post-harvest dormancy period. During this period, they don’t have any assured source of income, as is typical in seasonal employment.

According to International Research Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, the most prevalent problems faced by agricultural labourers are:

Low wage rate•

Low social status•

Lack of organisation•

Rural indebtedness•16

Seasonal labour•

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Neem Project is a socio-economic initiative implemented by the Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC), a listed company promoted by the Government of Gujarat (GoG). It is headed by a senior IAS officer, Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, appointed by GoG and is overseen by a government appointed Board of Directors. GNFC, has taken a lead, since January 2015, in implementing neem coating of 100% urea.

To fulfil its mandate of manufacturing neem oil and neem cake fertilizer, GNFC began a backward integration intervention process aimed at simultaneously creating shared value through empowering marginalised communities, and the rural poor with targeted focus on women empowerment by generating income and improving their livelihood prospects.

The Sourcing Model Followed

GNFC took the decision to tap into neem trees in the state and rolled out the Neem Project to be able to generate additional income for rural women and landless labourers instead of taking the more common route of buying neem oil from the market to coat urea. This became its source of neem seeds. These seeds are typically either swept away into garbage bins or they are left unattended. This is the resource that GNFC tapped into, effectively turning waste product to raw material for a viable industry.

It then began a backward integration process aimed at empowering marginalised communities and the rural poor. It laid targeted focus on women empowerment by aiding income generation and improving their livelihood prospects.GNFC involved the rural poor, mostly landless labourers with focus on women in seed collection. The collectors would sell the seeds at the nearby VLCC, and would either get cash in hand, or get remunerated within a maximum of seven days. These seeds would then be transported by the VLCCs to service provider partners who would store it till they finally got delivered to GNFC’s neem oil extraction units.

To set up the sourcing process, it approached existing rural community structures run mostly by women such as SHGs, Milk Cooperative Societies, Sakhi Mandals, Pani Samities, and Forest Department Collection Centres, explaining the process and economics of neem seed collection. The goal was to initiate community-led transformation. The women who volunteered to be part of the project would have to collect neem seeds as per their convenience and sell them at pre-determined prices at VLCCs set up in their village.

This was part of GNFC’s plan to set up an integrative supply chain for seed collection and oil extraction. The goal was to have a functional supply-chain set up by May, which is when the tree starts shedding fruits from which oil is extracted. Seeds are shed till monsoons hit the state which is generally around July. Collectors are paid cash in hand upon delivering the seeds collected during the day at the VLCC, after the seeds are weighed in front of them and according to the weight-cost chart that is put up in public view within the VLCC premises.

VLCC is responsible for generating awareness about the project, training the seed collectors on ways to avoid foreign particles during the collection process, and setting up suitable collection centres. It arranges for C Class jute bags for the collection of neem seeds and coordinates with Service Provider Partners (SPPs). It collects cash from SPPs to remunerate

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the seed collectors within seven days.

The collected neem seeds are sold at the authorised VLCC. These seeds are then transported to authorised SPPs. The collected seeds are stored at designated places for drying. The seeds are then transported to the local expeller/extraction units boosting their capacity utilisation and generating employment for workers manning these units. Neem seeds are processed to produce neem oil and De-Oiled Neem Cakes (DOCs).

Project Results

In 2015-16, its first year of operations, the Neem Project has generated INR 12-15 crore supplementary income for about one lakh rural women and landless labourers. GNFC's approach to the production and manufacturing of neem oil and neem cake fertilizers is innovative, integrate and an example of community-led transformation laying a strong foundation for community building. GNFC has developed a well organised system for buying neem fruits at a fair price. These neem fruits are processed to get neem cake and extract neem oil which is further used for coating over urea. In striving for the betterment of farmers and landless labourers, with specific focus on women, GNFC has involved women's Self Help Groups, Milk Cooperative Societies, Sakhi Mandals, Pani Samities, and Forest Department Collection Centres as part of its supply chain.

The project is monitored very closely by the Managing Director, GNFC with his team and its established network of community structures to minimise pilferage and to ensure that the supply chain is transparent and efficient for all stakeholders. The Department of Fertilizer, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer, Government of India has shared the model adopted by GNFC with other states and companies with a request to undertake similar intiatives.

From the time of initiation of the Neem Project, more than 2,200 purchase centres have been opened. Prices for the neem seeds due to fair collection practices have gone up from INR 2/- per kg to INR 12/- per kg, directly benefitting the women seed collectors. The Neem Project has widened its downstream product portfolio by selling neem soap, neem pesticide, neem repellent and DOCs. It manufactured more than 10,000 MT of DOCs as organic manure

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through its operations. Currently, it is producing and bottling pure neem oil for domestic purposes.

The Neem Project has emerged as a significant rural income generating activity as part of the livelihood strategies, adopted by the rural poor.Agriculture, while being important, is not the only and not necessarily the principal income generating activity of the poor. For communities which do not own land, ad-hoc daily-wage jobs are the main source of income. It is only during the harvest season (anywhere between three to five months in a year) that the rural poor have a steady source of income. For this, quite a few travel to distant districts and villages to work as hired farm labour.

In contrast, the Neem Project brings in steady income for two months in the year without the need to travel and stay in distant farmlands. There is zero investment involved and the timing of seed collection is controlled by the women themselves which gives them greater autonomy.

The socio-economic success for its stakeholders in its backward integration model has motivated GNFC to roll out its forward integration model, converging it with the National and State Missions to impart skills training to the unskilled, especially rural poor women. It has trained women from Sakhi Mandals from the Bharuch district in end-to-end soap making. These women are now running the soap manufacturing plant set up by GNFC in the district.

The vast potential of the neem tree has resulted in increase of earnings of rural masses and generated huge direct and indirect employment in the process of collection of seeds, storage, transportation, processing and in distribution chain.

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The project intends to prevent the misuse of urea, reduce its use in farms and provide supplementary income to rural poor especially women through neem seed collection. It is also promoting the usage of organic fertilizers for the larger interest of farmers by increasing its availability, and encouraging people to protect and nourish neem trees, strengthen Village Level Societies, Milk Cooperatives, Sakhi Mandals, and Pani Samitis etc. for acting as collection centres for neem seeds and providing livelihoods to the rural poor. The project also aims to plant one million neem trees over the next four to five years and create awareness about environmental protection.

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SCOPE OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY

UNDP commissioned the study to assess the impact of the project towards ‘supplementing the income of rural poor especially women and adolescent girls through neem seed collection’. The objectives were to investigate the changes brought about by the project interventions in livelihoods situation and the decision-making role of women and adolescents, and better understand the factors driving those changes. It was also expected to gauge the level of community and other stakeholder participation and ownership of the project results. The study expected to identify intended and unintended outcomes, the process of change, and the relevant best practices, lessons learned as well as challenges arising from programme implementation. Further, the study also covered the sustainability of the model given its seasonality limitations along with recommendations on opportunities for diversification or value addition. This is expected to provide a model for replication in case the project is scaled up across the state or any other part of the country.

The scope of the study included women and adolescent girls who have received payments from GNFC for this project over the last six months as well as women who are members of the VLCCs/SHGs/Pani Samitis/Milk Cooperatives or not associated with the project but staying within the project villages.

The research objectives include impact assessment at

Individual Level

• Increase in self-confidence of women and adolescent girls from enhanced income earned from neem seed collection and training & exposure through VLCCs & NKSKs

Household Level

• Increase in income through higher involvement in livelihood activities

• Change in asset ownership pattern of the household especially in favour of women or purchased by women and adolescent girls

• Change in expenditure pattern of the household – increased expenditure towards children’s education, health, hygiene, etc.

• Greater involvement of women in household decision making, especially social, cultural and financial decisions,

• Greater decision making capability of adolescent girls in their lives and among their peers

Community Level

• Documenting the processes and outcomes of Neem Project on socio-economic conditions.

• Assessing the impact on local communities in terms of capability enhancement to

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assess different government schemes for social security, adequate housing, access to basic services, monthly incomes and other issues.

• Availability of a pool of trained, experienced and knowledgeable trainers on neem seed collection and processing methods and payments

• Increased level of livelihood activities in the village through the SHGs/Pani Samitis/Milk Cooperatives

• Change in community perspectives on women’s rights/harmful traditional practices

• Sustainability of the project in the context of scaling it up across the state as a community owned initiative

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METHODOLOGY

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact and progress made towards achievement of the project goals. The study gauges the level of community and other stakeholders’ participation and ownership of project and also the changes in livelihoods situation and the decision-making role of women, and to better understand the factors driving those changes. The study also looks into the intended and unintended outcomes, the process of change, and the relevant best practices, lessons learned as well as challenges arising from the programme implementation.

The study also covers the sustainability of the model, given its seasonality l i m i t a t i o n s , a l o n g w i t h recommendations on opportunities for diversification or value addition. It is also expected to provide a model for replication to scale up across the state and/or across the country. In addition to the direct impact on the lives of women, the assessment also covers the impact on their families’ livelihood situation, the decision making role of the women and factors driving those changes.

Rationale

The rationale for the application of specific procedures such as Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), used to identify, select, and analyse information to understand the socio-economic impact of the Neem Project is described in this section. It allows the results obtained to be critically evaluated for validity and reliability. To that end, this section will explain:

a) How was the data collected?

b) Why was the data collected in the said manner?

The study is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research techniques, methods, approaches, and concepts in a single study. Commonly known as Mixed Methods Research, it allowed the study to include the use of induction (or conclusion finding), deduction (testing of theories), and abduction (uncovering and relying on the best of a set of

17explanations for understanding the results) . This study intends to link the findings to understand the emerging patterns (if any) and then proceed to develop hypothesis to test them. Combined research methods were used to arrive at a holistic logical circle of understanding about the socio-economic impact of the project.

Data collection

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17. de Waal, 2001

The following were the broad areas for impact and evaluation study of neem seed collection project:

• Document processes and outcomes of Neem Project on socio-economic conditions.

• Assess impact in terms of monthly income, and capability enhancement to assess different government schemes for social security, adequate housing and basic services.

• Change (if any) in asset ownership pattern of the household.

• Assess project impact on socio-economic conditions of the beneficiaries.

• Change (if any) in expenditure pattern of the household.

• Change (if any) in income through increased involvement in livelihood activities.

• Change (if any) in involvement pattern of women in household decision making, especially social, cultural and financial decisions.

• Change (if any) in self-confidence of women from the supplementary income earned from neem seed collection.

• Availability of a pool of trained, experienced and knowledgeable trainers on neem seed collection and processing methods and payments.

• Assess livelihood activities in the village through the Sakhi Mandals/Pani Samitis/Milk Cooperatives.

• Sustainability of the project in the context of scaling it up across the state as a community owned initiative.

Group discussions were conducted with beneficiaries to ascertain their views on various pivotal factors such as the mode of payment, amount of payment, the observed differences post-neem seed collection, opinion on the innovativeness of the project, suggestions for its improvement and further involvement options.

With a total population of ≈�1.25 lakh women, a sample size of 2000 was taken for the study. Sample size was determined based on key aspects such as target population, number of beneficiaries, accuracy and confidence level wanted, national standards, clustering effect, allowance for time lapsed, and budget.

18With the confidence level of 99 percent and margin of error of +/- 3 percent , the sample was determined by the formulae: �

� � � � �

19

18. https://www.checkmarket.com/blog/how-to-estimate-your-population-and-survey-sample-size/

19 where

n is the sample size to be calculated,h

z is the level of confidence desired (99 percent),

r is an estimate of a key indicator to be measured (Empowerment),

f is the sample design effect (2.0 - default value),

k is a multiplier to account for the anticipated rate of non-response (Not Applicable∴�1),

p is the proportion of the total population accounted for by the target population (0.04),

n̆ is the average number of persons per chosen district (5682),

e is the margin of error to be attained (=+/-3).

The sample size calculated was 1817, which was rounded to the nearest 2000.

2021 Household surveys and 74 FGDs & KIIs were conducted during the study. The study applied backward tracking technique with a focus on user communities to control selectivity bias and assess the average impact of supplementary income on household expenditure items.

The impact assessment study was conducted in four districts of Gujarat state, namely, Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Banaskantha and Patan. All the beneficiaries from 114 villages from these districts were covered. These four districts were identified based on their demography, positioning, climatic conditions, soil variety, soil fertility, seasonal variations, employment opportunities, payment mode, etc. The demography of all districts, except Gandhinagar, is predominately middle aged, due to decreasing birth rate. The nature of soil and fertility ranges from productive to arid and barren. The districts are either an arid or a semi-arid

20region .

Due to their geographical conditions and topographical variations, the four districts are rich in their ecological wealth ranging from grasslands, forests, wetlands, and coastal systems. Bharuch has black soil, but Gandhinagar has sandy loam soil, locally called Goradu which is highly fertile. Alluvium sandy soil is found in Banaskantha and Patan. The climate of Gujarat is moist in the southern districts of Gandhinagar and Bharuch, whereas it is dry in Banaskantha and Patan in the northern region. Likewise, southern Gujarat has an average

21rainfall ranging from 76 to 152 cm, and the northern districts have between 51 and 102 cm . Due to these factors, the selected districts satisfy the criteria to be representative of other districts of the state.

The distribution of the sample size among the four districts was more or less even, with 29.2 percent in Gandhinagar, 23.90 percent in Patan, 25.5 percent in Bharuch and remaining 21.40 percent in Banaskantha.

19. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/surveys/Handbook23June05.pdf20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat

21.http://www.mapsofindia.com/gujarat/geography/weather.html

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Banaskantha21.40%

Gandhinagar29.20%

Bharuch 25.50%

Patan23.90%

Figure 6: District wise data collection

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STUDY AREA

The field team comprised trained field staff and supervisors to carry out the study in four districts. Training programmes were conducted to train field staff and enumerators on how to administer the questionnaires and other survey tools to collect data. Field visits were undertaken by the survey team, who reported to the core team of AFC India Ltd. Spot-checks were undertaken periodically to detect mistakes and/or repetitions to ensure quality and correctness of data.

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Structure of Study Team

Study Tools

Data collection from the rural women beneficiaries involved using various schedules/questionnaires containing a set of questions logically related to the objectives of the study. The interview schedules consisted of both structured questionnaires and open ended questions for the stakeholders.

The following tools were used for conducting the study:

Eight semi-structured interview schedules (Form-01 to Form -08) have • Schedule:been used to get the required information and to evaluate the impact at individual, community, control as well as household level. The schedules are:

Individual beneficiary questionnaireo Form-01:

Control questionnaireo Form-02:

Community questionnaireo Form-03:

FGD for Womeno Form-04:

FGD for Controlo Form-05:

: FGD for Sakhi Mandal/Pani Samitis/Cooperativeso Form-06

VLCC/Male membero Form-07:

GNFCo Form-08:

• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Special emphasis was given to FGDs with women communities. FGDs were organised with women, Sakhi Mandals, community, etc. to understand and assess performance, problems relating to collection and selling of neem seeds, constraints, and other dimensions of the functioning of groups/societies.

• Questionnaire: Data were obtained from individual beneficiaries, control group, and community based structured questionnaire to pinpoint gains and losses at the individual and community level, if any, to develop an understanding of the felt impacts and factors contributing to it.

were conducted with officials/ concerned • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)departments/ implementing agencies and NGOs to understand their role in

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programme implementation. GNFC officials provided important information about the technical aspects of the project. Interviews were also conducted with individuals, communities and other stakeholders who were not involved in this activity through randomisation technique.

The study covered 2021 in-depth interviews with the women involved in seed collection, 202 interviews with women not involved in the project (to understand the extent of intervention impact), and FGDs with 74 stakeholders from across the four districts. The detailed list is given in Annexure-1, 2 and 3.

Background Information

Being a Rural Income Generation Activity (RIGA) assessment, the questions in the questionnaire focused on economic, social and community empowerment. The household survey process included the gathering of statistical, quantitative as well as qualitative information. The survey also gathered information on the background of the women as well as beneficiary family. This paved the way to understand:

the role of the family in the initial stage of processo

whether they participated in consultations o

the role of GNFC authorities during the whole chain - before, during and after the oselection process

whether neem collectors received payments for their neem seed collection and in time o

the impact of the Neem Project on the family’s livelihood situation and well-beingo

the role played by GNFC/local CBOs in managing VLCCs.o

Data Analysis

Advanced statistical and computer tools (MS-Excel and SPSS-21) were used in data analysis and tabulation. Frequency distribution technique was used to get the frequency of specific value and the percentage was aggregated to record the difference and/or impact. Suitable output tables were developed to facilitate review, interpretation and analysis of the data.

Focus Group Discussion at Umarpada

24

Focus group discussion at Gandhinagar and Bharuch

Other23.1%

SC18.3%

ST14.9%

OBC 43.7%

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

22Backward tracking approach is used to analyse the Neem Project and explore its impact . As in all backward tracking studies, behaviour and outcomes are examined and linked back to

23the project . However, this type of assessment raises questions whether it will be possible to 24

show impact of the specific project , i.e., Neem Project. It is important to note that there is a 25sharp focus on the user communities in this research; hence the assessed impacts are

confirmed through multiple assessment techniques.

As a socio-economic initiative, the Neem Project transcends boundaries to deliver meaningful impact through its focus on empowerment and sustainability. Some boundaries were mere geographical divisions, whereas others were societal limitations due to caste and gender factors. These beneficiary divisions are explained below to grasp the extent of the project’s impact.

BENEFICIARY

Age

Majority of the neem seed collectors are women above 30 years of age. Around 70 percent women engaged in this work are in the age group of 40-55 years. A small but significant one percent, 29 beneficiaries are made up of adolescent girls (15-19 years old).

Social Category

The data show that 43.7 percent beneficiaries involved in this work belong to the social category of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), 18.3 percent to Scheduled Castes (SCs), 14.9 percent Scheduled Tribes (STs) and 23.1 percent others. The fact that around 33 percent women beneficiaries belong to SC/ST category shows that there is an upward change in the involvement of women to earn equivalent to the other community.

Figure 7: Social category 22.Gabbay and le May, 2004.23. Jung and Nutley, 2008.24. Buxton, 2011.

25.Molas-Gallart et al., 2000.

25

Marginal4.3%

Small8.7%

Medium3.2%

Large1%

Landiess82.8%

FunctionalLiterate44.43%

Literate,42.85%

Primary 7.55%

High School 5.17%

Education

Analysis of the educational status of women beneficiaries show 42.85 percent women are literate, i.e., they can sign on their own, whereas 44.43 percent are functional literate who can calculate simple arithmetic but cannot read or write. Only 7.55 percent and 5.17 percent women are primary and high school educated respectively.

Figure 8: Educational status

Land Ownership

Data shows that 82.8 percent women are landless, 4.3 percent possess marginal land where as 8.7 percent, 3.2 percent and 1 percent are having small, medium and large land respectively. The majority of the women beneficiaries involved in the neem seed collection belong to the landless category.

Figure 9: Land ownership

26

Income and Livelihood Expenses

The data shows that annual income per family ranges from Rs. 8,000/- to 85,000/-. Majority of the earnings come from agricultural labour. Only 12 percent families get supplementary income from livestock, trading and other livelihood activities.

Around 70 percent of their income is spent on food, whereas anywhere between 5 to 15 percent is used towards clothing, education and health. The remaining 10-15 percent is used for miscellaneous activities such as construction, social activities, etc.

Figure 10: Expenditure pattern

Living Arrangement

It has been seen that 93.4 percent women possess a kutcha-pucca house whereas 6.6 percent stay in a rented house. Pucca housing (or pukka) refers to dwellings that are designed to be solid and permanent. It is built of substantial material such as stone, brick, cement, concrete, or timber. The term pucca means "solid" and "permanent". Majority of these houses are passed down generation after generation.

Figure 11: Living arrangement

27

Satisfaction

As far as satisfaction in their current livelihood is concerned, a majority (90.6 percent) said that there is no other way to make a living except by working as labourers, since they belong to poor families and do not have any land or educational background. Around 8.1 percent women shared that they would change their life style if they get an opportunity and 1.3 percent women said that they have no idea about this prospect.

Figure 12: Livelihood satisfaction

Access to Government Services

It has been noted during the field survey, that almost all villages have Anganwadi Centre (AWC - Child Care Centre), Primary Health Centre (PHC), and primary school. These services provided by the government cater to the needs of people, free of cost. Women respondents shared that their children are studying at primary school for free, till standard 8. They felt the mid-day-meal scheme enhances the attendance of children going to school. Free health check-up and medicines from PHC were sufficient for minor health aliments. Around 10 percent of total villages were equipped with bank facilities, usually State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and district cooperative banks. Rural people use them to keep their savings safe and receive agricultural loans, if required. Women received benefits of various government schemes such as Chiranjivee Yojana, Niradhar Vidhva Sahay Yojana, Vridhhavastha Pension Yojana, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Awas Yojana, etc. The women felt that there were numerous benefits although access to government services is mired in bureaucracy.

28

0.00%

50.00%

100.00%

Data unavailable

Decreased after Neem Project

87.20%

12.80%

Strongly Agree 18.59%

Some What Agree

69.05%

No Change 12.36%

Some What

Agree 27.11%

Neutral 7.65%

Some What Disagree 51.11%

Strongly Disagree

14.13%

IMPACT

Social

Increased role in decision making

The increasing trend in women’s decision making power continues in familial matters too, to a considerable extent. Data point out that for 18.6 percent of the women collectors, the decision making power has grown exponentially, whereas 69 percent feel a nominal increase. This increase is a definite indicator of women empowerment.

Figure 13: Decision making power before neem seed collection

Figure 14: Decision making power after neem seed collection

Domestic violence

Around 12.8 percent women vocalised their happiness about the reduction in domestic violence, after joining this neem seed collection project. But the majority was unwilling to part with such intimate information.

Figure 15: Domestic violence reduction

29

Yes, 32.2%

No

67.8%

Yes

98.20%

No 1.80%

Changes in drudgery

Regarding the reduction of drudgery in household activities, the data show that there is little to no change. 98.2 percent women shared that there is no significant change whereas 1.8 percent felt little change. Many saved 2 hours in cooking, due to the newly purchased LPG stove.

Figure 16: Reduction of drudgery

Influence of tradition

Regarding the influence of traditional norms, 67.8 percent women shared that they were not influenced by it compared to 32.2 percent who were. It shows that the majority of women beneficiaries involved in this activity practice autonomous decision making regarding their livelihood.

Figure 17: Traditional social influence

30

Felt beneficial impact

Apart from the observed impact in the above mentioned criteria, 79.9 percent women felt they benefited enormously from the project. The remaining 20.1 percent felt its benefit during the lean time when women are bereft of work.

Satisfaction with neem seed collection as RIGA

Women were asked to compare neem seed collection with other livelihood activities.Their responses were as follows:

Table 1: Data of women respondents on neem seed collection project

The above data show that 91.8 percent of respondents considered neem seed collection as a good or better rural income generation activity compared to others.

Economic

Additional income generation

Data show that income from neem seed collection ranges from Rs. 1,000/- to 25,000/- in a season. The average income is around Rs.7,000/-. Data indicates that 48.8 percent women have an income of Rs. 1,000/- to 3,800/-, 46.9 percent women have income of Rs. 4,000/- to 7,000/-, 1.6 percent women have income of Rs. 7,500/- to 15,000/- whereas a very nominal 2.7 percent record income above Rs. 15,000/-.

The income depends on both the quantity and quality of neem seeds collected. Data show that collection per person ranges in a wide margin from 5kg to 120kg per day. The average collection recorded per day is 45kg. The quantity and quality of the collection is dependent on resources available, time spent and technique used. Women beneficiaries are knowledgeable about the availability and locations of neem trees and collect neem seeds from the local areas, neighbours’ farms and community land as well as from forest areas. If the place with large amount of neem trees is far away, they prefer to go and come back together with other local women as a group.

The technique which women in Gandhinagar, Patan and Banaskantha area follow to collect neem seeds is to sweep and collect everything under surrounding neem trees and then separate the seeds from foreign matter, which guarantees better quality. The best quality

Sr. No.

Remarks

Percentage of women respondents

1 Good 53.5

2 Better 38.3

3 Average 6.0

4 No change 2.2

Total

100

31

95.50%

96.00%

96.50%

97.00%

97.50%

98.00%

98.50%

99.00%

99.50%

Household Education Health

PERCENTAGE OF BENEFICIARIES ON EXPENSES

seeds are handpicked without foreign matter in hilly areas like Bharuch. In general, the amount of time spent on collection of neem seeds ranges from 2 hours to 8 hours per day. As the collection depends on the availability of neem seeds and the time spent for collection, it was observed that as the collection time increases, the quantity increases accordingly. Similarly, the availability of resource, duration of collection and quantity of collection is equally proportionate to each other. All of the above factors determine the income to be earned from neem seed collection.

Figure 18: Average income per person

Utilization of income

Expenditure pattern showed a significant increase in the money contributed to activities other than basic needs. 97.40 percent reported spending money for education purpose. Yet most women (98.9 percent) shared that they utilised the income for basic needs such as for food, clothing and to maintain their household, etc. The data about prioritising health needs is encouraging, with 96.8 percent saying they spent on medical needs. Majority of the expenses went into food, clothing, health and education, which show a shift for the better.

Figure19: Utilisation of income from neem seed collection

32

90

00

10

00

50

0

50

0

10

00

12

00

0

14

00

0

15

00

12

00

90

0

14

00

19

00

0

Expenditure before neem seed collection

Expenditure after neem seed collection

Educa

tion

The average income in a year before neem seed collection was Rs. 12,000/-; due to neem seed collection it became Rs. 19,000/-. The comparative analysis of before and after patterns of expenses reveals exponential increase in expenditure in education and health which implies the socio-economic impact of Neem Project.

Figure20: Comparative study on expenditure before and after neem seed collection based on average income of women beneficiaries

Comparative study on expenditure before and after supplementary income from neem seed collection

Parameters

Expenditure before neem seed collection

Expenditure after neem seed collection

Income contributed

(%)

Increase after income from neem seed (%)

Food 9,000 14,000 71.40 % 55.55 %

Clothing 1,000 1,500 7.14 % 50 %

Education 500 1,200 10 % 120 %

Health 500 900 5.72 % 80 %

Miscellaneous 1,000 1,400 5.74 % 40 %

33

Increase in asset ownership

Data show that 16.3 percent women had livestock before neem seed collection, which increased to 32.6 percent due to the income from neem seed collection. Livestock such as buffalo, goat, cow, and hen are the preferred livestock. Around 5.4 percent women also contributed a part of their income to purchase electronic items and another 4.7 percent bought a vehicle, usually a two-wheeler. It should be noted that an increase of 16 percent in asset ownership is seen in two years of the Neem Project.

Saving

Around 30 percent women said savings were possible due to the additional income from neem seed collection. As many as 70 percent beneficiaries were unable to save, as the income was spent on day-to-day necessities. The money is usually saved as hard cash and is utilised as and when required.

Environmental

Neem plantation

Women beneficiaries showed keen interest to plant neem trees in plantations in local and nearby areas. This activity can increase the resources of neem seeds. Data collected from GNFC showed that around 12,000 neem trees have been planted at various locations with the help of employees, school students and social forestry officials. Details of neem source in Gujarat state are given in Annexure-4.

Figure21: Livestock ownership

34

Resourcefulness of neem

Women have understood importance of neem seeds. Data show that 97.5 percent women are aware about the medical properties of neem seeds, as well as their use as repellent and pesticide.

The project addresses the socio - economic above needs of the community by filling a gap in seasonal employment. Neem seed collection fills the gap by providing a source of income for these women during the lean period. This gives them a sustainable livelihood opportunity in a better way.

Figure 22: Awareness about the resourcefulness of neem

Yes97.5%

No 2.5%

35

PROJECT RESULT SUMMARY

The Neem Project has emerged as a significant Rural Income Generating Activity within the range of economic activities as part of livelihood strategies. For communities who do not own land, ad-hoc daily-wage jobs are the main source of income. It is only during the harvest season (anywhere between three to five months in a year) that the rural poor have a steady source of income.

In contrast, the Neem Project brings in steady income for two months in the year without the need to travel and stay in distant farmlands. There is zero investment involved and the timing of the seed collection is controlled by the women themselves which gives them greater autonomy.

The key findings are exclusively drawn from the impact areas analysed above. The impact is also disseminated especially for women involved vs. the women who were not. The level of achievement of Neem Project can be summarised and categorised as below:

MICRO-LEVEL

Women Empowerment

1. Across educational level

This activity pervades both literate and functional literate categories, in equal proportions. While, it provides income generation activity to functional literate women, it provides entrepreneurial opportunities to literate women. Because literate women can manage and practice good techniques for collection of neem seeds, they are more likely to act as VLCC. They are also more likely to participate and take charge in the forward integration process, which includes soap and oil making.

It is important to note the supplementary income is opening up educational opportunities for many. One such person is the daughter-in-law of Bhanuben from Dehgam Taluka, Gandhinagar district. Bhanuben spent a large amount of her income for the education of her children and her daughter-in-law.

Regarding the skill development programme and entrepreneur skill training, 100 percent women were enthusiastic about getting trained and developing skills and were willing to devote time to do so, as that will give them an opportunity to earn throughout the year.

2. Asset creation

There is a remarkable increase in livestock asset ownership due to the income from neem seed collection. As many as 336 beneficiaries purchased livestock such as buffalo, goat and hen from the additional earning. It is interesting to note that these livestock will either increase their net earnings or decrease their expenditure considerably. The parallel increase in socio-economic status, due to the increased assets, is said to contribute to increased

26familial conjugality .

3. Increased decision making

Around 18.6 percent beneficiaries were empowered to take decisions in matters like

36

26. Trickett, et al, 1991.

marriage, education, health and property. Many took control of the household expenditure and the apparent change in pattern is observed as indicated in the previous chapters. Women felt the increased control they exhibit was due to the income from neem seed collection, and they postulated that it gave them extra value in their family and society. This phenomenon is observed especially in the tribal areas of Umarpada and Mandvi region, where the women do not handover their income to their husbands.They handle all expenditures themselves.

Apart from enhancing their access to and control over economic resources and enabling 27them to establish their rights , decision making reduces domestic violence as seen in the

subsequent para. It should be noted that the increase in autonomous decision making further enhances income, which boosts decision making ability and so on.

4. Decreased domestic violence

Several women (12.8 percent) communicated their happiness regarding the reduction of domestic violence in their life after joining neem seed collection project. Many attributed it to reduced financial difficulties and increased control over their earnings.

28This decline in domestic violence will aid the mental health of women , through significant reduction in emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, and even suicidal attempts.

5. Empowered upbringing

Only one percent young girls reported that they were motivated by their peer group to participate in this activity. Majority of them are studying in secondary school. They shared that the income they received from this project is used for their education and/or their siblings’ education. The involvement of adolescent girls in neem seed collection is low due to safety issues as they need to travel to distant places for collection of neem seeds and the return time at evening is not fixed. The other reason was that young girls take care of the household activities and the family members in the absence of their mothers who are involved in the neem seed collection.

27.Acharya, et al., 2010.28. WHO, 2008.

37

Financial Empowerment

1. Psychological effects

The average income of women in a year was Rs. 12,000/-. With average income of Rs. 7,000/-from neem seed collection, the annual income increased to Rs.19,000/-. There is an increase of 58.3 percent in income per annum.

This increase in income enables the beneficiaries to progress higher up in the Maslow’s pyramid of needs. As their basic needs and safety is assured, their sense of belonging grows and the path to self-esteem is paved.

Huffington Post on 2013 wrote an article on understanding poverty and basic needs, where it emphasises:

“Many low-income kids live with parents who are gone most of the day working one or more jobs to meet the family’s basic needs while juggling personal struggles like debt, addictions, and other challenges. When parents are consumed by worrying they won’t meet their basic needs, like putting food on the table or a roof over their family’s head, it’s hard for them to fulfill higher-level

29needs, like having time for themselves or having time to talk with their kids. ”

It goes on to add the effect it has on children;

“When kids are worried about their basic needs, like if they are going to eat or if they will be safe at night or if they will have a place to sleep, understandably, it’s hard for them to focus on higher-level needs, like learning multiplication tables during the school day.”

The increase in earnings is said to have direct correlation with familial ties and educational achievement. Zhan (2006) offers two possible explanations for these positive effects. First, increased income enhances economic security by providing a safety net against unanticipated income shocks such as unemployment during off seasons, illness, and death. Second, assets lead to positive attitudes and behaviours in both parents and children. It could be explained because parents with assets are likely to be future-oriented – not preoccupied

30with immediate short term needs - which in turn can lead to positive parenting behaviours . Children of such parents, due to the absence of worry and timely satisfaction of basic needs, tend to be more focused.

On being asked about the happiness derived through this project, 99 percent women replied that they are happy to be involved in neem seed collection. According to Drakopoulos and Grimani (2013), there is a strong positive relationship between income and happiness for low income households group, which many of the beneficiaries fall into. Happiness could also be due to the above mentioned familial closeness. Another important reason could be the reduction in migration. As most of the women are engaged mainly in agricultural labour, they tend to migrate to other places in search of work during off season to earn their bread and butter. This migration has nearly stopped for those involved in this project due to good earnings. Those who do not or could not migrate to other places, tend to mortgage their

29.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-j-carter/better-understanding-pare_b_3000089.html 30.Scanlon & Page-Adams, 2001.

38

belongings and borrow money from money lenders at high interest rate. But this year, it has decreased due to the income from neem seed collection. For many, it was a hard choice between spatial instability and a financial one. Neem Project was the much required alternate choice for many.

Hence, it is no surprise that 91 percent beneficiaries wanted to continue this work in the upcoming seasons, as it gives them a productive livelihood. The flexibility in this work, they said, is unmatched by other RIGAs. In spite of flexibility in timings, many were able to earn their yearly earning in a short period of time.

2. Utilisation of income

As far as expenses are concerned, the income earned by these women is used for mainly household activities such as food, health, clothing, education and other such necessities.

Majority of the women reported that the income earned from neem seed collection is spent on food, health and education. While 70 percent of their income is used for food, the remaining 30 percent is used for health, education and other amenities

It could be hypothesised, that all the positive effects are closely interlinked. Less instability and absence of debt leads

31to decreased violence and asset

32creation which results in better health

33and supportive family while increasing the women’s role in decision making and

34household expenditure culminating in financial and social empowerment of

35women .

Mangiben Ravajibhai Mali is a native of

Gajera village, Jambusar Taluka of Bharuch

district in Gujarat. She earned Rs. 18,000/- from

neem seed collection in the first season. She

paid off her home loan

Diwaliben Shantibhai Mali is a native of Gajera village, Jambusar taluka, Bharuch district in Gujarat. From her earning of Rs. 17,400/-, she started a small seasonal business.

39

31.Jensen, 2009.32.Winters et al., 2009.33.Das, 2012.34.Jejeebhoy, 2000.35.Mumtaz and Salway, 2007.

MESO-LEVEL

Community Empowerment

1. Increase in price of neem seeds

Slight variation was observed in the price given for neem seeds. In Gandhinagar, the price was Rs.5/- to 6/- per kg, where as in Patan it was Rs.4/- to 5/- per kg. In Bharuch, the price varied between Rs. 4/- and 5.50/- per kg and in Banaskantha, it was priced from Rs. 4/- to 9/- per kg.

After a thorough discussion held with GNFC officials and VLCCs, it was understood that this price variation is due to the moisture content of neem seeds and presence of foreign matter. The amount of foreign matter depends on the technique followed to collect neem seeds. Brooming and picking system is used in areas like G a n d h i n a g a r , P a t a n a n d Banaskantha area. But, the case is different in areas like Umarpada and Mandvi where the women handpick neem seeds from hilly rock areas. When the collection is brought to the VLCC, the price is finalised depending on the above factors.

2. Reduction in seasonal migration

Women beneficiaries shared that during May to mid-July, they have no work as there is no agricultural activity. During this period, they migrate to other places in search of work and earn their bread and butter. The Neem Project has resulted in a lowering of seasonal migration by generating income during the lean period when landless labourers typically migrate for ad-hoc work.

MACRO-LEVEL

Economic benefits

The use of neem-coated urea could save the government Rs 6,500 crore in subsidy annually. It also saves Rs 13.5 per bag for farmers.

Environmental benefits

When farmers use conventional urea, about half the applied nitrogen is not assimilated by the plant and leaches into the soil, causing extensive groundwater contamination. Spraying

Bhartiben Thakorbhai Jadav, a resident of Vedaj

village of Jambusar taluka, district Bharuch in

Gujarat shared that she earned Rs. 10,150/- from

neem seed collection. She paid for her delivery at

Borsad Hiral Hospital

40

41

urea with neem oil slows the release of nitrogen by about 10 to 15 percent, concomitantly reducing consumption of the fertilizer. According to recent research, the "sustained release" nature of neem-coated urea has seen rice yields jump 9.6 percent and wheat by 6.9 percent. Neem coated urea also works as insecticide.

Neem coating also precludes an age-old malpractice of this cheap fertilizer being diverted for use in the chemical industry and most harmfully in states like Punjab and Haryana as an additive in milk to whiten it.

Potential national impact

The Neem Project has huge potential to provide substantial supplementary income to poor and vulnerable households. There is a scope of this activity to be scaled up and for more women to get involved. The project can also be adopted by other states where neem trees are abundant and in which urea-based fertilizer companies operate.

Opinion of women not involved in the Neem Project

Around 202 women, who were not involved in the Neem Project, were interviewed and their views about the project were recorded. Majority of them were not aware of the project. Some were preoccupied and were unable to participate. The reasons for non-involvement included household activities, or animal husbandry. But, most of the women were interested to participate in the project.

A comparative analysis has been done among four districts based on Strength, Impact and A reas of Improvement, which is as follows as prevented belows:

Banaskantha

Strength • Favourable dry weather and prolonged season • Abundant neem resources • Motivated women • Focus on quality collection • Needy • Lack of alternate income • Lean period

Impact • Increased women involvement • Enhanced income • Decision making power enhanced • Better understanding of living

Areas of improvement• Lack of training and capacity building• Transportation• Family support is less

Strength • Hard working women • Women are motivated and devoted to work • Family support • Needy • Involvement of NGO • More number of women involved

Impact • Income enhanced • Decision making power enhanced • Family support increased • Social empowerment • Motivated and involved women • Focus on quality collectionAreas of improvement • Topographical barrier • Average amount of neem resources • Lack of transportation • Need for training and capacity building • Low pricing

Bharuch

Strength • Neem resource is abundant • Women motivated and devoted to work • Family support • Easy transportation • Decision making • Entrepreneur skill

Impact • Income enhanced • Decision making power enhanced • Family support increased • Social empowerment • Motivated and involved • Focus on quality collectionAreas of improvement • Need for training and capacity building • Need for better prices • Need support such as ID card, collection equipment

Gandhinagar Patan

Strength • Abundant neem resources • Business oriented women • More women buyers • Easy transportation

Impact

• Impact seen at Radhanpur and Siddhpur for better pricing of neem seeds and involvement of women in group

Areas of improvement • Lack of motivation and training • Very low pricing • Women are demotivated • Stiff competition with private company

42

NEEM PROJECT - A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR LIVELIHOOD

IMPROVEMENT

Sustainability is a modern name for an old practice. Livelihood encompasses people, their capabilities and their means of living including food, income and assets. A livelihood is environmentally sustainable when it maintains and enhances local and global assets on which livelihood depends, and has net beneficial effects on their livelihood. A livelihood is socially sustainable which can cope with and overcome shocks, stress and provide for future generations.

Components that contribute to sustainability of this neem seed collection model

SUSTAINABILITY

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE

SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE

TIME PERSPECTIVE

ENVIRONMENT PERSPECTIVE

ORGANISATION

PERSPECTIVE

MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Economic Perspective

The revised price of neem seeds per kg can attract more people to join this project to improve their economic condition and private buyers won’t be able to lure them as community found GNFC more trustworthy. It has been found during the study that earlier in some places women used to sell their neem seed collection to private companies at highly variable prices but now they sell their collection to GNFC only as the company has given them an assurance to buy back all their collection at a fair price.

Almost 90 percent women want to remain involved with the Neem Project and wish to work

43

throughout the year. If some small oil extraction unit and product development unit can be developed, it will help the beneficiaries to get income throughout the year.

Individual Perspective

The Neem Project has proved to be life changing for a number of women as they are utilising the money for betterment of their life.

In many cases, the economic empowerment enabled women to take decisions in important family matters. Indirectly, this project has not only opened the path of women empowerment but also made them confident.

Many women are now able to give good education to their children. This project has helped women in their individual growth as well as bringing improvement in the life of their children.

The confidence gained by the women due to economic empowerment has also made them explore other areas. Earlier women used to collect neem seeds from their village or nearby areas. But now, women have started working in groups and travel to several kilometres for collection. This practice also improved their management skills as they have to manage various other issues such as transportation, fair distribution of collection and income.

Social Perspective

It has been noted that in villages women are working in groups in a spirit of team work. The Neem Project is also contributing in strengthening the social fabric by connecting and bringing community together. The groups in villages stay like members of a family “Neem Parivar” and become sensitive towards each other’s problems.

Time Perspective

It has been recorded that most of the beneficiaries of Neem Project are from an agricultural background. In many regions, the months of May and June are lean period for farming. The activities under the Neem Project provide opportunities to earn supplementary income and thus have the potential to be upscaled in regions with similar scenarios.

Environment Perspective

As the Neem Project contributes additional income to the community, there is an interest to grow more and more neem tress and protect the existing trees. This will contribute to the eco-friendly environment. While over exploitation has endangered many natural resources but in this case, it is self sustainable. Neem is growing abundantly in Gujarat and is also easily available to beneficiaries. It can meet the target of GNFC to produce neem coated urea. It is sustainable in the true sense when resources match needs.

Organisation Perspective

In the beginning, there were numerous challenges for GNFC - collective to mobilize community, create awareness about benefits of the project and develop the supply chain. Organisational support in terms of motivation, training, capacity building in technical skills, information sharing and leadership development, providing facility for collection, management system and better pricing led to a sustainable model in all aspects.

44

Market Perspective

As far as the market is concerned, neem coated urea is beneficial for farmers economically. Apart from providing nutrition, it protects crops from several diseases.

Apart from neem coated urea, if small scale enterprise around neem products can be initiated, it will have good market as nowadays people are becoming more conscious about benefits of herbal products.

45

SCALING UP MODEL AND REPLICABILITY

A project can only be scaled up when there is a need or demand in terms of products, economic viability, enhancement of socio-economic status of community involved, and enabling government policies. The Neem Project fulfills all these criteria, hence should be scaled up and/or replicated. The demand for neem oil by GNFC is 26,000 metric tonnes in a year and total neem seeds required for extraction of neem oil is about 3.65 lakh metric tonnes. During the year 2015 and 2016, the collection of neem seeds was 10,000 metric tonnes and 12,200 metric tonnes respectively whereas the target of collection is 26,000 metric tonnes per year.

Like the Milk Revolution, this livelihood generation activity can become ‘Neem Revolution’ in Gujarat for upliftment of rural socio-economic status and to strengthen women empowerment.

SCALING UP OF THE

MODEL

GOVERNMENT POLICY

GNFC INITIATIVE

DEMAND

NEEM RESOURCES

PEOPLE'S INTEREST

46

Government Policy

The Government of India has mandated the application of 100% neem coating of urea from 2015.

GNFC Initiative

GNFC has taken a lead in implementing this initiative from January 2015 and has initiated a first of its kind ‘Neem Project’. It has involved rural women for collection of neem seeds with the main objective of women empowerment and uplifting of poor rural population by generating income for farmers, women and landless labourers.

To scale up this model, awareness generation and capacity building through formation of SHGs can be an effective strategy as it will help in increasing confidence, unity, social awareness, understanding and leadership qualities among women.

Demand

The demand for neem oil by GNFC is 26,000 metric tonnes in a year and total neem seeds required for extraction of neem oil is about 3.65 lakh metric tonnes. During the year 2015 and 2016, the collection of neem seeds was 10,000 metric tonnes and 12,200 metric tonnes respectively whereas the target of collection is 26,000 metric tonnes per year. More manpower is required to meet this need. Accordingly, the number of women involved in this activity is increasing. Presently this work is being carried out in 22 districts of Gujarat with the involvement of 500 VLCCs which need to be increased to fulfil the requirement.

Neem Resources

There are 45 million neem trees found in Gujarat which show great potential for scaling up of this project. Also the women beneficiaries showed keen interest in neem tree plantation to increase neem resources so that in future, they can enhance their income by collecting more neem seeds.

People’s Interest

The number of beneficiaries involved at the beginning of this project was around 90,000 during 2015 which increased to 1,40,000 in 2016.

Business Model for Scalability

Women Entrepreneur

In many villages, women work as service providers, purchasing neem seeds from the collectors and selling it to the GNFC centre at a profit. These women entrepreneurs act as links between the collectors and the collection centre, thus facilitating the collection process. The revenue generated through this business model contributes substantially to their livelihood. This model is viable and can be replicated in areas with no VLCC.

Self Help Group/Sakhi Mandal Village Level Collection Centre

Most villages have Self-Help Groups or Sakhi Mandals with many of members engaged in neem seed collection. These groups can work as service providers at the village level and facilitate the collection and purchase of neem seeds, with the revenue distributed among members.

47

NGO Model as Service Provider

In some villages, NGOs are facilitating livelihood-related support by providing training to rural women for better collection of neem seeds. These NGOs also arrange the logistics for the transfer of collected seeds from the women’s homes to the GNFC centre. After service charges are deducted, the revenue can be distributed among women collectors.

Going beyond Collection

Self-Help Groups involved in collections of neem seeds can ally at a higher level – such as at block or district levels – and can bring in value addition and diversify product range with technical support from GNFC or other NGOs, and supply the finished products in the market.

48

Upscaling Neem Project could lead to

Neem Revolution

Revival of indigenous neem industry-scope to bring invalue addition and diversification of product range

May-June being lean period for farming isfavourable for neem seed collection, thereforeemerges as a viable Rural Income Generating

Activity, and yields robust supplementary incomeduring the non-farming season which also reduces

migration

Project has been initiated in Gujaratwhich has abundant neem trees. Enoughresources to meet GNFC requirement to

produce 100% neem coated urea byinvolving local communities

Neem coated urea reducesits consumption by about

10% resulting in net savingof about Rs. 13.5 per bag tofarmers as a direct benefit

Import of Urea inview of higherdemand thanproduction

Target:100%neemcoatedurea

49

CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS

CHALLENGES

During field survey, challenges that hinder smooth implementation of the project were observed which needs to be addressed as under:

Awareness, Training and Collection

• Need for awareness among the local villages about the project.

• Proper training among women beneficiaries on technical aspects such as the procedure of collection, types of neem seeds to be collected, cleaning and grading.

• Requirement of knowledgeable trainers in the villages: Many women don’t practice proper techniques for collecting and management of neem seeds. However, smooth implementation is seen in villages where NGOs or other institutions are involved to facilitate this work.

• Easy accessability to seed collection site: Women have to travel outside the villages to get a good collection, and sometimes face hurdles in being permitted into the farm land of other villages.

• Women are harassed or stopped during the transportation of neem seed

Minimization in Price Variation

• Variation in neem seed price per kg was immense. Though this variation was explained by the presence of moisture content in neem seeds and foreign matter in the collection, the lack of minimum support price might desist many from participating in the project.

Management System

• Data of women beneficiaries, quantity of neem seeds collected per day and price records should be periodically maintained, so that whenever required, data become readily available.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Training and Workshop

• During initiation of the project activities in a new place, a training programme should be arranged for beneficiaries. They should be made aware of and trained in sustainable harvesting practices, cleaning, grading and value addition to the seeds to promote diversified use and to increase shelf-life

• Workshops for the collectors should be conducted at regular intervals to improve efficiency, and as a part of monitoring and evaluation.

• Women beneficiaries should be given information about the availability of neem seed resources in local and nearby areas. This would enable them to plan accordingly for maximizing the collection.

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Meetings

Meetings of beneficiaries at district level should be held at least twice in a year. These meetings will also promote cross learning amongst women who can share their experiences and challenges.

• Women who have met with incredible success should be invited to meetings so that other women can derive inspiration from them.

• The whole chain of neem seed collection should be informed to the women beneficiaries, so that they can remain informed about the system and the pricing.

Remunerative Pricing

• Price of neem seeds per kg should be revised at regular intervals, as it will attract more and more people towards the project.

• The minimum support price of neem seeds should be fixed to sustain and scale up the collection.

Identity Proof

• Women collectors should be given identify cards by VLCCs so that they are not harassed or stopped during the collection and transporting of neem seeds.

Collection Equipment

• Essential collection equipment should be distributed among the beneficiaries.

Forward Integration

• As most of the beneficiaries belong to poor families and are farm labourers, it would be beneficial if they could get an alternate earning option all year around. Some small business associated with neem products or with units of cleaning, drying and peeling of neem seeds could be formed.

Focus Group Discussion

51

JOURNEY OF SUCCESS

52

TESTIMONIALS

53

Sr. no. District Taluka Village

1 Banaskantha Bhabar AbasanaHarkudiyaSanvaTetarvaVarjipur

Deesa BhoyanBhuralDharapadaDhunsolJavadiyaJuna deesaKheralaNana KhaparaNani BhakarRanpurShamsedpuraSaratVada

Deodar Delvada

DeodarGangolNavaPaladiRaiyaRavelSalpur

Kankrej

IndramanaRanpurTeravada

Lakhani

DhunsolJhasaraKheoralaLakhaniLavanaPepralShekra

ANNEXURE-1

List of Districts, Talukas and Villages covered

54

Palanpur DalwadaGadhKumbhalmerKumbhasanMandana

Tharad

SanaviyaTharadZenta

Mandvi Mandvi

Mangrol

IshanpurKevadiSelarpur

Netrang

Koachbar

2 Bharuch Jambusar KareliKotaliPiludaraSarodUberVadadlaVedaj

Umarpada GondaliyaKalijamanNasarpur

Dehgam Arjanji na muvadaBardoli bariyaDevakaran na MuvadaKadjodraLaxmipuraRampuraSahebji na MuvadaUmedpada

3 Gandhinagar

Kalol Shobhasan

Gandhinagar Moti AdrajTintodaratanpur

Mansa AmbodBadpuraDelwadaDodiyarIshwarpuraGaltharaManekpur

55

Mansa MansaParbatpuraPratapuraRampura

4 Patan Patan

Radhanpur

BaliBalisanaDerHajipurHasanpurKhavavdiKhimiyanaKungherMandogiMandotariRamnagarShitholaVankala

Saraswati AbulavaAdharBayadarBhevanarKansaVaghdod

BhilotKalyanpurNayatvada

Sidhpur AnandaviBiliyaDethliKaliyanaKunawaraMadhupuraMudwadaNewadaSidhpurVaghrod

56

ANNEXURE-2

Number of Beneficiaries, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Control

Districtwise Beneficiaries

Name of district Number of beneficiaries covered

Number of FGD done

Control

Bharuch 504 27 67

Patan 506 22 45

Banaskantha 425 14 46

Gandhinagar 586 11 44

2021 74 202

57

ANNEXURE-3

Talukawise number of Women Beneficiaries covered

Sr. No. District Taluka No. of Women

Beneficiaries

1 Banaskantha Bhabhar

Deesa

Deodhar

Kankrej

Lakhani

Palanpur

Tharad

16

111

24

33

44

133

64

Total 425

2 Bharuch Jambusar

Mangrol

Netrang

Umarpada

284

52

55

113

Total 504

3 Gandhinagar Dehgam

Gandhinagar

Kalol

Mansa

251

183

23

129

Total 586

4 Patan Patan

Radhanpur

Saraswati

Siddhpur

71

282

28

125

Total 506

Grand Total 2021

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ANNEXURE-4Neem Tree Census in Gujarat

59

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