Mainstreaming Impact Evaluation Methodologies, Approaches, and Capacities in Selected DMCs, Subproject 2

This study addresses the scarcity of underground water in South Asia by examining the cost-effectiveness of volumetric pricing versus area-specific pricing using Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) for rice crops. The research involved surveys targeting farm households, wards, pump operators, and water management groups. The MOMODa team conducted a nine-day training in Dhaka, which included discussions, mock testing, and model tests, followed by a pretest in Feni and a feedback session at Feni University. A pilot test was also conducted with senior supervisors to ensure a thorough understanding of the survey. The study covered five upazilas in Feni and one in Chattogram. Despite political unrest in August, farmers in remote areas agreed to participate in interviews. Data collection was completed on time, with success rates of 99.7% for farmer surveys, 100% for ward surveys, and 73% for WMG surveys. The pump operator survey, conducted in two phases, had a success rate of 77%. The collected clean data has been submitted to the principal investigators of ADB Research Team.