As mandated by the project, Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission conducted baseline survey at the beginning of the project. The major objective of baseline survey is to assess the status of livelihood of the women covered under MKSP during the initial year of survey i.e. 2017. This baseline study will be used as a reference document to evaluate the project impact in terms of livelihood status achieved at the terminal year of Pariyojana being 2020, due to impact of various activities undertaken in the stride of implementation of the project. Besides, Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission conducted Baseline Survey to map the status of Mahila Kisans / Women Farmers in reference to socio-economic-political background, age, education, skills, occupation, institutional membership and relationships with primary and secondary institutions. Family income & expenditure pattern, land ownership, livelihood pattern, saving & liabilities, insurance, health & hygiene, current agricultural practices which include use of agricultural implements, specific crop management, market linkage of agricultural produce, income from agriculture, linkages with the government schemes related to agriculture etc. was also analyzed. The sole purpose of this survey is to share our learning and findings of the baseline survey undertaken in the operational areas of four resource blocks under two districts. The findings of the study will be extremely useful to the various stakeholders of the project as well as to all those who are involved in preparation of policy and programs for communities like schedule tribes. Above all, the baseline survey is intended to generate first-hand information on the contemporary situation of the operational area. During the project implementation period of three years, a definitive comparison would be made with that of the project findings to understand whether changes as desired/mandated has been made as stated in the project proposal and the impact visible as a part of project intervention. The data from the baseline study would provide a set of indicators as ‘monitoring tool’ for assessing project direction and pace.

The specific objectives of the baseline study are :

• To know the present status of women farmer in terms of socio-economic conditions and livelihoods pattern in the MKSP project areas.

• To create a database on the present status of targeted women farmers as a reference point for end-line survey and project evaluation.

• To create a database on the agricultural practices which are helping and hindering in augmenting agricultural productivity.

• To ascertain the awareness level of women farmers regarding land improvement, soil and water conservation, organic nutrient management, integrated pest management, post harvest management, market linkage, agro-related government schemes and resources available for agro-based development and living standard.

• To find the gaps and solutions for improving the socio-economic status of women farmers.

Methodology of baseline survey :
     The aim of this study was to identify the socio-economic profile dominated by primary and secondary types of occupation, to prioritize issues and problems that shape and reshape the agricultural profile of the community residing in the operational areas. It also aimed at making a scoping exercise of identifying linkage that exists between different set of institutions as well as resource units so that elimination of poverty through linkage of resources can be done. Hence, an interview schedule based survey was adopted in twenty six (26) Gram Panchayat to find out the field situation in the project areas. In-depth interviews of women farmers were carried out to identify the important parameters that really shape the livelihood of the people. Apart from this, Focused Group Discussion (FGD), interview with key informants, cross checking and triangulation of data/information were also conducted during the whole process of data collection. Besides respondents, local NGO’s like Young Mizo Association (YMA), Village Council (V.C), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) were also consulted during the primary data collection process. In the baseline survey, emphasis was given to find out the present status of women farmers located in twenty six (26) Gram Panchayat in terms of their caste composition, economic development, association with different institutions, agricultural development, irrigation facility, infrastructures availability, source of income, size of landholdings, cropping pattern, availability of forest produce and animal population etc. The information reflects on their needs and gaps present in their socio economic development. All these information are collected with the help of structured household schedule. In the present survey, 500 households (10% of total targeted Mahila Kisan i.e 5000 MK’s) under twenty six GP’s are covered. The selection of village is done randomly so that few of the villages are situated nearby the national highway and others are situated in the remote part of the block. The survey work was carried out by the Livelihoods Coordinator under MzSRLM who were supervised and guided by the qualified and experienced mission staffs. The respective Block Development Officers makes necessary arrangement for transportation so that the survey can be completed in time. The Livelihoods Coordinator collected the data based on the format develop by the mission. The information of these block level data was again transferred to excel sheets by District Functional Specialist (Livelihoods) for data analysis. The checking of data entry was confirmed at several stages. The statistical tables were generated and interpreted by the outsource consultants and State Mission Manager (Livelihoods). The baseline survey work was carried out between July to September, 2017. 

Baseline Study coverage size : 

The geographical coverage under MKSP baseline survey in 26 Gram Pachayat is shown below :

Conclusion of Baseline Survey :
     The vision of the project is to build a strong community where women are treated equally with men, a developed community where women take active participation for the betterment of family and society. The above findings will help plan out methods and training projects to overcome all the issues related to livelihood. Such awareness programs and trainings should be introduced to

• better agricultural practices,
• rearing livestock, increasing yields,
• understanding land - soil and water,
• adopting cost effective methods
• using bio-degradable organic waste and processes that are easily available keeping in mind the depleting natural resources and the degradation of environment.
• integrated pest management,
• understanding markets,
• understanding loans and fund arrangements
  

     After completion of this project, women community is expected to be more organized and significant in the society with a better sustainable income generating activity. All the above targets can be easily addressed as the literacy rate is quite high. More respect will be given to the working women who earn for the family through their own deserving effort and will be protected from domestic violence.