New Upland Rice Varieties for India

This case study is an impact assessment of two rice varieties, Ashoka 200F and Ashoka 228. These varieties were bred through client-oriented breeding in DFID Renewable Natural Resource Strategy (RNRRS) supported projects of the Plant Sciences Research Programme. This study used a variety of structured and semi-structured methods. Part B of the case study describes the methodology and findings of fieldwork undertaken by the University of Bangor’s CAZS-Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Indian NGO, Gramin Vikas Trust. Part C describes a subsequent semi-structured and more qualitative piece of fieldwork undertaken by Dr Marlene Buchy, a social development consultant, and two Indian consultants, Dr Malika Basu and Dr Aniruddha Dey. This part of the case study (part A):

1. describes the overall methodology used in this case study;
2. synthesizes the key findings from the two field studies, identifying both similarities and differences; and also
3. draws lessons/insights from the findings relating to technology development and innovation processes.