Institutional and Policy Related Research Gaps for Climate Resilient Farming System Intensification: A Study in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain

Abstract

This chapter analyzes research and capacity gaps in policies, institutions and markets in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (Eastern IGP), including the states of Bihar and West Bengal in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The analysis is based on a review of existing policies, institutional framework and farmers group discussion (FGD) from selected villages in identified districts located across the Eastern IGP. A review of the existing policies and institutions indicated that a good number of required policies and institutional framework were in place, but the informal transaction cost of availing benefits of those policies by the smallholders from formal channels (banks, government departments, insurance companies, etc.) was very high. This reflected poorly on the level of governance, as the global percentile ranking of Eastern IGP states in respect of governance was in the range of 15–45%. Therefore, major reforms are required for promoting equitable access to technology and financial services; public resources management (reducing leakages) and addressing gender issues.