Meeting on stakeholder mapping at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya
Soumyadeep Das and Apurba Kumar Chowdhury
Date : 26.06.24
Participants: UBKV, CIMMYT, SSCOP, Local level FPC members, Participant farmers
The communication plan and implementation pathways aim to create a structured approach to engage stakeholders effectively, ensure clear and consistent messaging, and foster collaborative relationships. These elements are essential for the success of agricultural extension services in the project locations with three diversifications, viz. Plot, Irrigation-constraint, and Non-plot in West Bengal. By implementing these strategies, the project can enhance stakeholder participation, build trust, and ultimately achieve its goals of improving agricultural practices and rural livelihoods.
Development of a Stakeholder map or Power and Influence matrix
Fig.: Power and Influence matrix to design communication plan
Power and Influence matrices are collaboratively devised to refine our communication and engagement strategies at each stage of diversification. This involved identifying stakeholders, evaluating their levels of influence (termed 'Power') and interest in the project, on a scale from 1 to 10, substantiated with clear justifications.
Subsequently, stakeholders are strategically positioned on a Power and Influence matrix based on these evaluations, forming a visual representation that will guide our tailored approaches for effective stakeholder management.
Stakeholders identified at Plot-level diversification sites, irrigation constraint-level diversification sites and non-plot-level diversification sites broadly included
Participating farmers,
Lead farmers,
Other farmers,
Local Farmers' Club,
Small processing unit,
Village traders,
Department of Agriculture (GoWB),
SSCOP,
Project scientists, KVK,
Input supplying agencies, and
micro-financial Institutions.
In addition to the above stakeholders, Stakeholders identified non-plot-level diversification sites included Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD, GoWB), Service Providers (Prani Mitra, Prani Bandhu), and Feed & medicine suppliers.
These matrices provide a structured overview of stakeholder influence and interest levels across different diversification levels. They serve as a valuable tool for developing tailored communication and engagement strategies to effectively manage stakeholders in each context.