A week-long training workshop was held for 44 participants, including field investigators from 18 villages across five states of SAT India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat); data entry operators; and 15 scientists from RP-MIP from 3-8 September, as part of the VDSA project.

The program was organized to enhance field investigators’ ability to collect high quality household survey data; standardize data collection and data entry activities across the villages in SAT India; and to have a better understanding of household data and data collection procedures. It also aimed to improve their capacity for participatory research in the villages and obtain feedback on using Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) that is being tested in three villages in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Award received to Field investigator(s) for the best presentation on “story of my village” from Dr MCS Bantilan

Each village investigator showcased his village in a special poster presentation session. This was followed by discussions on issues and constraints faced by them. Dr Sandhya Shenoy from NAARM, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad spoke on guidelines and tools in qualitative data collection and analysis. Sessions were also held on basic health care and knowledge of first aid while working/staying in the village (Dr CN Reddy) and HR policies in relation to project activities (Mr AJ Rama Rao). RP-MIP scientists made presentations on major drivers of change in agricultural productivity and growth, agricultural water management and water scarcity, labor market, risk and return trade-off in SAT India farming, writing village profiles, and collecting data on gender and nutrition.

RP-MIP Director Dr Cynthia Bantilan underlined the importance of staying in villages to collect data and understanding village livelihoods; and the relevance of the training in ensuring high quality survey data and project outputs. Dr Madhusudan Bhattarai, Mr VK Chopde, and Mr GD Nageswara Rao coordinated and facilitated the workshop. P Parthasarathy Rao gave away certificates to the participants on the concluding day.