Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) - Consulting Services for the Independent Verification Agent (IVA)

Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) – Consulting Services for the Independent Verification Agent (IVA)

The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) commissioned the state-owned agricultural promotion service Rythu Sadhikara Samsthal (RySS) to implement a nationwide program which included capacity building of the advisory staff, community resource persons and self-help groups as well as monitoring, verification, and accompanying research. The expected outcomes are increased soil health and climate resilience, stabilized/ increased yields for participating farmers’ crops, and enhanced agricultural income by applying cost and freight practices.

The three major assessments of the study conducted by Sambodhi are: 

• annual independent verification of achievement of DLI #1, DLI #2, and DLI #3 was carried out as reported by RySS for each disbursement claim under the program,
• ensuring meaningful baseline survey results (including adjustments/ revisions as considered appropriate) and its reviews, and 
• conducting surveys to assess ecological and microeconomic improvement and biocide residues. 

Sambodhi provided the following activities within this assignment: 

• Regular monitoring of key achievements of the “overall” APCNF program/ scheme to put the “KfW part” into perspective
• Submission of a report containing detailed methodology for the verification mission
• Preparation and finalization of tools and CAPI
• Preparation of training manuals and QA protocols
• Training and recruitment of the team for the verification mission
• Data collection for verification study
• Soil sample collection for technical investigation, soil testing
• Survey for the assessment of ecological and microeconomic development
• Data collection to ensure meaningful results – baseline validation, midline, and final surveys
• Data analysis and submission of verification report
• Creation of baseline on soil and income-related indicators
• Submission of soil testing result
• Result dissemination workshop.