Strengthening evidence on addressing agricultural and environmental challenges in South Asia

South Asian Network of Environmental Economics (SANDEE) is a research capacity and academic leadership development network that aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals and institutions in South Asia to conduct research on the interlinkages between economic development, poverty, and environmental change. The researchers also disseminate practical information applicable to development policies.For 25 years, SANDEE has been conducting biannual grant calls, inviting emerging researchers to submit proposals aimed at generating evidence to support the development of policies and programmes related to developmental and environmental issues in South Asia. The winter school is a key component of the SANDEE research grant to enhance the capacity of the grantees in conducting statistical analysis, research writing, and preparing their findings for publication.

Seven researchers, who were awarded competitive research grants in recent years, presented the progress of their ongoing research projects at the SANDEE Winter School on Research Methods, held from 17 to 21 February 2025 in Nagarkot, Kathmandu, Nepal. They presented their findings on pressing issues, including climate-resilient agriculture, the impact of conservation areas on poverty, the effects of COVID-19 on livelihoods, and challenges related to the environment, water, and sanitation across South Asia. Here are summaries of the studies presented at the winter school:

Adoption of short-duration rice variety in flash flood-prone areas – Md Sadique Rahman, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

 This study explores the factors that influence farmers’ adoption of short-duration rice varieties in flash flood-prone areas in Bangladesh. It analyses the decision-making process of farmers, focusing on how they weigh factors such as yield, profit, severity and duration of flash floods, access to institutional support, and cost of adoption when selecting rice varieties. Understanding farmers’ decision-making process will shape the development of location-specific agricultural technology promotion policies in the Haor region or freshwater wetlands of the country.

With or without NGO intervention: forest restoration in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts – Md Shafiqul Bari, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

This research examines the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in forest restoration and livelihood enhancement in village common forests (VCFs), a traditional forest conservation practice in the Chittagong hill tracts (CHTs) in Bangladesh. It uses matching techniques to estimate the impacts of the NGOs intervention on forest restoration and livelihood improvement. Knowledge in this field can help guide NGOs’ participation in improving restoration efforts, fostering environmental sustainability, and improving livelihoods for local communities.

How COVID-19 pandemic affected forests and livelihoods in Sri Lanka? – Menuka Udugama, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on forest quality and the livelihoods of communities near forest areas in Sri Lanka. Using panel data, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic at the household level, this study will provide insights for policymakers on forest conservation and propose livelihood support for vulnerable communities near forest areas during similar crises.

Forest fires: effects on the collection of non-timber forest products and socio-economic well-being – Mohanasundari Thangavel, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India.

This study examines the impact of forest fires on the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in the Hoshangabad Forest Division of Central India. It explores how both controlled and uncontrolled fires affect NTFP’s availability, while also considering the socio-economic factors influencing these communities.

Additionally, the study highlights the role of forest management practices in mitigating the adverse effects of forest fires and enhancing the resilience of forest-dependent communities.

Do conservation areas matter in Nepal? – Resham Thapa, Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Considering the recent trend in declaring conservation areas in the country, this study aims to provide evidence of the effectiveness of such interventions in reducing poverty while improving forest quality. Using a regression discontinuity design, it evaluates the effectiveness of conservation areas in enhancing both environmental, and socio-economic outcomes in the country.

Assessing impacts of water and sanitation infrastructure development programme on water quality and health outcomes in India – Rishi Kumar, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani – Hyderabad Campus, India.

This study assesses the impact of India’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) policy, on water and sanitation outcomes. Implemented in 2015, AMRUT is an urban infrastructure development scheme aimed to address water and sanitation issues in the country. This study uses matching methods to assess the policy’s impact on improvements in the quantity, quality, seasonality, and affordability of water in tandem.

How cash transfers affect climate resilience in agriculture in India and Nepal?– Sabina Yasmin, Krea University, India.

This study compares two sites in India and Nepal to explore the role of cash transfers in promoting the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. This study compares the adoption of various climate-resilient practices along the India-Nepal border using regression discontinuity design. It investigates how women access policy-delivered cash transfers, aiming to develop policies that target women for cash transfer programmes.

Aligned with SANDEE’s mandate, these studies aim to generate critical evidence to inform development policies by providing decision-makers with timely and appropriate information in addressing developmental challenges besetting the region.