1. Stakeholders’ Engagement in Indo-Gangetic Basin: Challenges and Opportunities 
M.S. Meena1, N. Subhash2, Harbir Singh3, SK. Singh4, Wendy-Lin5 and Amy Sullivan6
ICAR-ATARI1&4, ICAR-IIFSR2&3, University of Florida, USA5 & Bridgewater Consulting, Pretoria, South Africa6
1. Introduction
2. Stakeholders Engagement Process
There is no ‘one size fits all’ model for stakeholder engagement. However, process of stakeholders’ engagement is tailored for specific need. In Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) context, stakeholders’ interactions organised at all the study sites namely Karnal, Meerut, Faizabad and Samastipur (Fig-1) and at various levels i.e., country, state, district, institute and farm level (fig-3). Stakeholders sensitised through presentations, discussions & during development of Representative Agricultural Pathways.
Paradigm on stakeholder engagement has changed dramatically over past few years. It
has moved from pure information dissemination and communication with stakeholders
to a deep and intimate understanding of expectations of various stakeholder groups.
Stakeholder engagement can lead to open, trusting, and respectful relationships built on dialogue. It can create more legitimacy for institute in eyes of stakeholders, and information gained can be used in decision making. The main regulatory principles in engaging stakeholders’ are:
Accountability
Inclusiveness
Objectivity
Respect
Openness and Faith
Fig-1:Project locale in IGP-India
Fig-2: Stakeholders analysis in IGB
Multidisciplinary interactive meetings organised with researchers/scientists of ICAR institutes/SAUs) and other departments. The policy planners have been identified as important stakeholders under high influence and high interest group (Fig-2). Awareness was also created among farmers/farm women about AgMIP and its activities.
3. Stakeholders' Interactions Framework
4. Stakeholders Participation Level in IGB
Participation level of stakeholders (Table-1) includes specific objectives with regard to stakeholders’ engagement, promise to stakeholders & method of engagements.
Table-2 depicts key component and actions taken in respect to IGB. It includes specific purpose; stakeholders, engagement process and its evaluation process.
Inform
Consult
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
Stakeholder
engagement objectives
1. To provide accurate and consistent technical message/information for understanding and effective solution by policy planner.
1. To get feedback from policy planners/ stakeholders on analysis, alternatives and outcomes.
1. To work directly with stakeholders throughout engagement process for ensuring their concerns.
2. To understand needs of stakeholders
1. Partnership with policy planners in combating problem, making decisions in identification of preferred solutions.
1. To empower policy planners for final decision- making.
2. Stakeholders are enabled/equipped to actively contribute to the achievement of outcomes.
Promise to stakeholders
1. To get acquainted about technical message.
1. To keep stakeholders informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations,
2. Providing stakeholders’ feedback on how their input influenced outcome.
1. To work together to ensure their concerns and aspirations.
2. Providing stakeholders’ feedback on how their input influenced the outcome.
1. To provide advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate the advice.
1. To implement policy decisions
2. To support and complement actions.
Methods of engagement
1. Newsletters, bulletins and circulars
1. Public comments,
Focus groups discussion,
Interactive discussion,
Surveys etc.
1. Workshops
2. Web 2.0 tools
1. Web 2.0 tools like Facebook, linkedin, etc.
1.Dialogue with policy planners from ICAR/SAUs/ Departments.
2. State Agricultural Department
Fig.3 Methodological framework
Table-1 Stakeholders Participation Level in IGB
5. Stakeholders’ Engagement Evaluation
6. Opportunities, Challenges & Way Forward
Step-1
What is specific purpose?
Objectives
To create awareness about AgMIP and its activities.
To communicate technical message to stakeholders.
To get feedback for future considerations.
To influence the policy planners for effective decision making.
Step-2
Who to engage?
Stakeholders engagement level
IGB (Country level): Agricultural Policy/Development Agency/Universities/Researchers/NGOs
State level: State Agricultural Development Agencies/SAUs/Progressive farmers/Researchers/NGOs.
District level: Officials of District Agricultural Development Agency
Institute level: Researchers/Scientists
Farm level: Farmers/Farm Women
Step-3
How to engage?
Methods of stakeholders engagement
Inform: Fact sheet/Bulletins/Websites
Consult: Focussed Group Discussion
Involve: Workshop/Interaction meeting
Collaborate:
Empower: Dialogue with policy planner
Step-4
Evaluate engagement process
Performance measures
Planning process
Engagement
Outcomes
Opportunities
Provides better opportunities to contribute directly in policy and program development.
Ensure open & transparent communication to enhance accountability of government for driving innovations.
Enhanced access to decision-making processes that result in delivery of more efficient and responsive services.
Early identification of synergies between stakeholders and government work for encouraging integrated & comprehensive solutions to complex policy issues.
Challenges
Identifying stakeholders, analysing and prioritising them, and mapping them to specific sustainability issues (economic, environmental or social issues).
Proactively engaging with stakeholders through a variety of tools and methodologies, including household surveys, focus group discussions, stakeholder panels, personal interviews, etc.
Analysing stakeholder feedback & integrating into impact matrixes, sustainability and integrated reports.
Way forward
1. Need to scale out the project to validate the process/product for driving some meaningful results.
2. Need to include diverse and risk prone farming systems
3. Water can be entry point in decision-making process with potential partners like IWMI, India.
Indicators/Variables
Evaluation methods
Planning
Time
Resources
Planning process
Coverage of stakeholders’
Interviews
Surveys
Reflections
Online surveys
Feedbacks
Focussed group discussions
Engagement
Engagement method
Logistics
Number of stakeholders’ & their participation
Associated risks
Outcomes
Quality of services
relationships changed with stakeholders
Change in project/policy intentions.
Table 2 Stakeholders Key Components
Table 3 Stakeholders Engagement Evaluation Plan 1 2 3
Authors are thankful to AgMIP for funding this project through ICRISAT and ICAR. We thank various stakeholders for their involvement during RAPs construction. 4 5
Corresponding Author: Dr. M.S.Meena, Principal Scientist (Agril. Extension)
ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute, Jodhpur India.