RAF Global in India is guided by the vision of a resilient society, free from poverty and where every woman, man, and child leads a fulfilling life with dignity, peace, and security of rights. We believe in the power of collaboration, leveraging the strengths of various stakeholders to achieve meaningful and lasting change. From planning to implementation, including monitoring, we engage in a broad spectrum of strategic and inclusive partnerships that not only aid our learning but also enhance the impact of our interventions toimprove the quality of life of people in project areas.
Continuous learning and a profound commitment to excellence are at the core of our development interventions centred around a result-based approach and framework. As an international organization, we make ourselves accountable not only to our donors but also to the communities we serve, keeping people at the center of our programs. In late 2021, RAF Global established a department dedicated completely to participatory learning, evaluation, and further fixing downward accountability. Since its inception, the knowledge management department has been making increased investments in the said areas.
Participatory approaches remain the cornerstone of our knowledge management department. Participatory monitoringand evaluation of programmes/projects stems from our constant desire and willingness to learn and excel at what we do. We rigorously monitor and evaluate our programs, ensuring that they not only deliver immediate outcomes but also contribute to long-term, transformative changein the lives of our target population. Our established participatory learning systems also focus on gathering evidence around an affirmative and lasting change in the lives of the most marginalised communities, we serve.
We understand the opportunities on the ground, and there are several factors besides the project efforts that could contribute towards an improved outcome. Hence, we take a holistic view of development, understanding that external factors, alongside our efforts, influence outcomes. Rooted in a culture of concurrent learning, we reflect on and revise our approacheswhile designing new development interventions to strengthen our work. By asking critical questions and embracing a learning mindset, we continually fine-tune our institutional learning systemsto aid our impact.
In 2024-25, RAF Global’s Eastern Region Office in India launched an impactful initiative to promote System of Rice Intensification (SRI) cultivation practices among women farmers in the East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a transformative approach to paddy cultivation that emphasises innovative practices and prioritises sustainable techniques to increase rice yields while conserving natural resources and reducing environmental impact. These methods have been tried, tested, and proven highly effective in improving yield and productivity across various geographies worldwide.
This season, RAF Global has engaged over 200 women farmers in SRI by providing a comprehensive range of support, including awareness generation activities, in-house training for translating theory into tangible field practices, and even material assistance such as seeds, vermicompost, and cono-weeders. As a result, the women are now well-versed in these sustainable agriculture practices and, encouraged by the promising growth they’ve witnessed, they plan to implement SRI on a larger scale next season.
The SRI practices not only boost crop productivity but also reduce input costs, enabling smallholder farmers to achieve better yields with fewer resources. By minimising the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, SRI contributes to healthier soil, increased biodiversity, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, making it an ideal approach for addressing pressing environmental challenges.
This initiative is particularly significant for women farmers in East Singhbhum, who are often the backbone of agricultural communities but face numerous challenges in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By equipping them with SRI techniques, RAF Global aims to empower these women with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their on-farm livelihoods and support their families.
Through this program, RAF Global is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing goals such as No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Climate Action. This approach aligns with RAF Global’s mission to improve the quality of life for marginalised communities by fostering resilience, economic stability, and environmental stewardship.
As the first season of SRI-supported cultivation nears harvest, the farmers are eagerly anticipating the results. This ongoing process holds promise for not only increased rice yields but also for a more sustainable and prosperous future for smallholder women farmers in Jharkhand. The impact of this initiative is expected to resonate throughout the community, offering insights and hope for the wider adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.