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Bihar is one of the poorest, most populous states in India. The populations are mainly rural
dwellers and are dependent on agriculture production, as a means of subsistence and as
revenue. Bihar (or more generally the entire eastern Indo Gangetic Plains of India) is
composed of small scale (less than a hectare) and fragmented farm holding with poor access
to new technologies. (Arya J.P. 2015) As well as being extremely vulnerable to climate
change and frequent climatic aberrations (floods, drought and weather volatility), Bihar is also
hindered by natural resource degradation and a lack of knowledge and development
opportunities. (S.Lopez Ridaura 2014, NAFCC 2016) Introducing climate-smart practices and
technologies to male and female farmers and promoting business models with the best upscaling
potential can increase the resilience and adaptive potential of agriculture in Bihar.
Farmer’s adoption of CSA technologies and practices could be enhanced through the
involvement of CSA service providers or entrepreneurial farmers. Indeed, sustainable
business models linking farmers and private sector have the potential to benefit all CSA-value
chain stakeholders. CSA practices provide both farmers and service providers with the
opportunity to better manage risks, to save labor and costs and to increase revenues. (Sharma
2015)
To determine the feasibility of this research, a socio-economic survey will be carried out in
the Samastipur and Vaishali District of Bihar on 17 different service providers (i.e. small
businesses) leasing or providing CSA technologies and machineries. This MSc Climate
change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) research project will identify existing and
potential business models that can support scaling-up and scaling-out of CSA practices and
technologies in Bihar. These business models will be assessed using the business model
canvas as it presents the global strategy to a well-established business. It details all parts of
the company, showing revenues, costs, preconditions and partnerships required but it also
underlines potential risks and benefits of the business for all stakeholders. (Groot 2016)
Templates of the canvas business model will be incorporated into the analysis. It will allow us
to evaluate current and potential effects of the adoption of business models promoting CSA
practices and technologies, on both service providers (SPs) and customers (male and female
farmers). (Groot 2016)
This project “Business models for scaling Climate Smart Agriculture in Bihar, India” is part
of the CCAF-CGIAR project P53-FP1-SA-CIMMYT “Recommendation domains incentives
and institutions for equitable local adaptation planning at sub-national level and scaling up
CSA practices in wheat and maize systems”.