B N Yugandhar Rainfed Agriculture Fellowship
Last date for submission of the application 5th December, 2023
Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), Hyderabad is a network-based organization focusing on improving the quality of mainstream programs in natural resources management and livelihoods. It engages actively in policy advocacy initiatives at state and national level mainly related to rainfed areas. WASSAN has contributed substantially to development of watershed policies in various states and at Government of India. WASSAN is also working with various partners in different States as part of RRA Network on rainfed agriculture related agenda.
The B N Yugandhar Rainfed Agriculture Fellowship is offered by WASSAN India, a non-profit organization that works in the tribal areas and drylands of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The fellowship was established to honor the late Sri. B N Yugandhar, a pioneer in rural development, with the goal of motivating and assisting upcoming academics and activists.
Background of Sri. BN Yugandhar Fellowship
Sri. B N Yugandhar inspired many people in his lifetime to commit to the agenda of rural development. A scholar on land rights, as an active supporter of people working on bonded labour issues, as a champion of tribal areas’ development and their rights, as a person deeply committed to the issues of drought prone areas, as a champion of community based rehabilitation and rights of the disabled, and as a champion of decentralisation of planning, Yugandhar inspired many people and touched many lives.
Much of what we do in WASSAN is shaped by the vision and insights of BN Yugandhar; we cherish fond memories of the great soul. He passed away on September 13th, 2019. On his 4th anniversary, WASSAN has instituted the BN Yugandhar Rainfed Areas Fellowship programme to inspire young scholars and activists to look deep into the above issues.
BNY Fellowship
The key objective of this fellowship is to encourage, inspire and support young people to engage with and understand the core issues of development in which Yugandhar spent his lifetime. The fellowship provides an opportunity for the fellows to undertake field research with communities exploring the issues of interest in depth. The focus areas of the fellowship include land, labour and natural resource rights, especially in tribal areas; issues of forest fringe communities; issues of droughts and vulnerability; intersection of gender with these issues; and parity of public investments – within the larger context of rainfed areas. The fellows will be guided and mentored by an advisory group having a long standing contribution in the area of research. The study report will be published by WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network).
Locations
Erstwhile Kalahandi, Balangir, and Koraput regions of Odisha
Tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jharkhand
Dryland areas of arid regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Eligibility Criteria
Dalit, Adivasis, disabled farmers and disadvantaged women hailing from the regions they choose to study are given preference. Students pursuing masters and doctoral degrees interested in the research areas of the fellowship may also apply.
The fellows are required to have the following:
- Age between 27 and 35 years
- A bachelor’s degree
- A proven interest and sensitivity to the issues of equity and justice and some understanding of dryland areas/rainfed areas, and familiarity with the subject proposed.
Fellowship
A consolidated amount of Rs 50,000 per month shall be provided to the candidate, inclusive of travel for a period of 6 months.
Process of Application
The applicants need to fill out a google form [https://forms.gle/fow6frhe1YJV1CVf9].
For the google form, the applicants need to get the following things ready: CV, Cover Letter and Proposal
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