Developing winning proposals

1. Dr Nazir A Ganai
Associate Director Research (AS)
SKUAST-K
Organized by
National Co-operative Development Corporation
Hotel Crown Plaza Srinagar
23-28, November 2015

3. Stagnateelse
to
Inquire
Discover

4. ContentsContents
 A SWOT analysis of agriculture in J & K?
Status of agriculture in J & K
Challenges and Opportunities facing agriculture
 Identify the funding opportunities
 Donor agencies
 Schemes / programs
 Priority areas of the funding agency
 How to Write grant proposal
 Principles of a Scorecard of Donor Agency
 Why Grant Proposals are rejected
 Project Management

5. Land Resource in J & K ( Ha)
G-2,65,000
E-74,000 D- 1,05,000
C-2,11,300
B- 2,91,000
A - 6,58,000
F- 7,52,000
A Forest
B Non-Agricultural Land
C Barren & Uncultivable Land
D Permanent Pastures & Other Grazing Land
E Fallow Land Including Current Fallows
F Net Area Sown (31% of the land use area) or 7 % of total Geographic area
G Area under Fruit Crops

6. Contribution of different sectors to
economy in J & K
46%
25%
30%
50%
35%
15%
J & K National

8. Our strengths and opportunities
Vast area: 2.22 lac sq kms (67% of N-W
Himalya)
Diverse and varied agro-climatic zones
Cold arid ladakh region
Temperate Kashmir region
Sub-tropical jammu region
Rich Biodiversity
Ethnic diversity
Flora : 3,054 species.
Domestic & Wild life: 16% of india
Rich Medicinal & Aromatic plants

9. Strengths ……..
Unique Cash crops
Kashmir:
Saffron – monopoly in india
Apple: 77% production in country
Walnuts: monopoly
 Spices: Kashmiri mirchi, kala zeera,
Floriculture
Jammu:
Basmiti- Quality
Rajmash
Black caraway (Zeera)
Ladakh
Pashmina fibre
Apricot
Herbs related amchi system of medicine

10. Diversity
Temperature +40O
C to - 40O
C
Altitude 3000 ft to 24000 ft above MSL
Rainfall 110 mm Ladakh to 600 mm

11. Constraints in mountain agriculture
Hilly and inaccessible terrain
marginality and fragility in terms of moisture stress
and poor soil conditions and
short growing season.
small land holdings,
 poor productivity, poor production management,
Poor post-harvest management,
Poor market networks
lack of entrepreneurship
 peculiar physiography:
Land under food crop agriculture: 7.36% of total area (2.22 lac
sq km) or 31% of area under land use

12. Challenges facing agriculture
Widening demand and supply gaps:
40% import of food grains - 8 lac tones ( ~ Rs 9 billion)
20% vegetables - 1 lac tonnes (~ Rs 1 billion)
60% meat (sheep and goat) (~ Rs 3 billion)
Increasing population pressure from highest growth
rates in the country (2.7 % vs 1.6%). ,
Shrinking land resources due to population expansion,
urbanisation and soil degradation, indiscriminate &
unplanned growth of housing sector
Fragile Climate: Extreme winters, long dry spells,
Rain fed agriculture due to peculiar topography
 Receding glaciers due to global warming further
aggravate the problems inherent to the rain fed agriculture
J & K,

13. ----challanges
deforestation, loss of biodiversity and qualitative
deterioration of the pastures
indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and
pesticides contaminating food, soil and water beyond
minimum permissible levels.
over exploitation of natural resource base and
environmental quality decline,
global warming and climate change leading to
emergence of new biotic and abiotic stresses
stagnation in productivity of agricultural crops
Subsistence agriculture ( less renumerative)

14. Transform agriculture
from sustenance to
commercial agriculture
but sustainably
Ponder about:
How to raise productivity,
profitability,
entrepreneurship?

15.  What are available opportunities ?
 How to select a donor ?
 How to develop proposal for domestic and
international agencies ?
 What are unwritten rules for success ?
To begin with:To begin with:
Think How to Attract FundingThink How to Attract Funding

16. Funding Agencies

17. InternationalInternational Funding agenciesFunding agencies
– USAID: US Agency for Int Dev
– ADB: Asian Dev Bank
– DFID: Deptt for International Development (UK)
– FAO The Food and Agriculture Organisation
– UNEP The UN Environment program
– UNDP The UN Development program
– ACIAR: Aust. Centre for Inter. Agri. Res.
– Ford Foundation
– The Rockfeller Foundation
– BADC: Belg. Admin. For Deve. Coop
– CIDA: Canadian Int Dev Agency
– NEDA: Netherlands Dev Aid
– AFESD: Arab fund for Eco Soci Dev

18. GOI Funding AgenciesGOI Funding Agencies
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research www.icar.org.in
DBT Department of Bio-Technology www.dbtindia.gov.in
DST: Department of Science & Technology (DST) www.dst.gov.in
AGRICOOP Deptt of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers
Welfare
www.agricoop.nic.in
MOCIT: Ministry of Communications & Information
Technology
www.mit.gov.in
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MOEF: Ministry of Environment and Forests www.moef.nic.in
MFPI: Ministry of Food processing Industries www.mofpi.nic.in
MNES Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Source
MOSJE Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
MOWR: Ministry of Water Resources www.wrmin.nic.in
CSIR: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research www.csir.res.in
ICMR Indian Council of Medical Research www.icmr.nic.in
UGC University Grants Commission www.ugc.ac.in

20. Schemes and Programs
for
Agriculture Development
• Central Plan
• State Plan

21. Central PlanCentral Plan
(a) Crop Husbandry(a) Crop Husbandry
 Program: Krishonnati Yojana
 Total Allocation (2015-16): Rs 5845.45 crore
 Schemes:
– integrated scheme on Agriculture Cooperation,
– Agriculture marketing, Agriculture Census & Statistics,
– National Agri-tech infrastructure
– National Food Security Mission,
– National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm,
– National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture,
– National Mission for Agriculture Extension and
Technology,
– Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

22. Central PlanCentral Plan (2015-16)(2015-16)
(b)(b) Livestock & FisheriesLivestock & Fisheries
 National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding 100.00
 Conservation of Threatened Livestock Breeds 4.00
 Centrally Sponsored Fodder Development Scheme 10.97
 Livestock Insurance 30.00
 Livestock Health & Disease Control 182.82
 Establishment / modernization of rural slaughter houses 5.00
 Livestock Extension and Delivery Services 2.00
 Project for Dairy Development 53.10
 Development of Inland Fisheries & Aquaculture 12.90
 Development of Marine Fisheries, & PostHarvest Operations 60.00
 National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen 25.00

24. State PlanState Plan
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY)Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY)
RKVY: Launched by NDC in 2007
Target: Achieve 4% growth in Agri
Sector during 11th
plan
Allocation 2015-16: Rs 10800.50 crore
Important sub-Schemes:
– Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern Region
– Saffron Mission
– Initiation on Vegetable clusters
– National Mission on Protein Supplements
– Irrigation Development
– Crop Diversification

25. Main Objectives of RKVYMain Objectives of RKVY
 To censitize the States to increase public investment in agriculture and
allied sectors.
 To provide flexibility and autonomy to the States in planning and
executing agriculture and allied sectors schemes.
 To ensure the preparation of plans for the districts and the States
based on agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology and
natural resources.
 To ensure that the local needs/crops/priorities are better reflected.
 To achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in important crops,
through focused interventions.
 To maximize returns to the farmers. Price Stabilization Fund Scheme
(PSFS)

26. Program Components under RKVYProgram Components under RKVY
Production Growth (35% fund allocation)
Infrastructure and Assets (35%)
Special Schemes (20%)
Flexi Fund (Production /Infrastructure 10%)

27. R & D Priorities
of the Funding Agencies
RKVY
NASF

28. Priorities underPriorities under
RKVYRKVY Integrated Development of Major Food Crops (cereals,
pulses, millets, oil seeds)
 Agriculture Mechanization
 Activities related to enhancement of Soil Growth
 Development of rainfed farming system
 Integrated Pest management
 Promoting Extension Services
 Enhancement of Horticulture Production
 Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Devlp.
 Study Tours of Farmers
 Organic and Biofertiliser
 Sericulture

29. Priorities underPriorities under
National Agriculture Science FundNational Agriculture Science Fund
Strategic priority areas for the 12th Plan Period:
1. Genomics and transgenics in plants, animals and fisheries
2. Conservation agriculture and climate change
3. Abiotic and Biotic stresses and, quality traits in plants, animals and fisheries
4. Water quality and productivity
5. Alternate energy for agriculture
6. Micro-nutrients and their use efficiency
7. Precision and controlled-environment agriculture
8. Use of Nanotechnology for agriculture and studies on environmental safety of this
technology
9. RNAi gene silencing technology
10. Minimization of agricultural w aste and maintenance of product quality
11. I mprovement of fibre quality in fibre crops
12. Mechanist aion in field crops and horticulture
13. Research in Social Sciences
14. Development of pod borer resistance in pulses

30. Writing the Grant ProposalWriting the Grant Proposal
What to keep in mind?
– Scorecard of the funding agency
– Common Reasons of Failure
– How to write a winning proposal

31. Principles
of a Scorecard of Donor Agency
1. Focus on National Goal / Doner’s Priorities:
• Food security
• Poverty alleviation
• Sustainable Development
• Elimination of malnutrition
• Environmental degradation
• Conservation of resources
2. Impact / Utility:
• is answering the research question important?
• Will it advance the knowledge?
• Will it have an impact on the field of study in terms of
scientific knowledge and / or practice?
3. Cost-Benefit Ratio?
• budget is unrealistic
• cost of the proposed project appears to be greater than any
possible benefit
Contd….

32. 4. Approach: Is the methodology sound and appropriate to
answer the research question proposed?
5. Innovation:
• Does the proposal describe novel concepts, approaches or
methods?
• Is the study original and creative? Or a repetition / traditional?
4. Investigator :
• is the researcher well trained
• does he or she have the capability to conduct study?
4. Environment :
• Is the laboratory, or field area appropriate to conduct the
study?
Principles
of a Scorecard of Donor Agency

33. Common Reasons
Why Grant Proposals are Rejected
Mechanical Reasons
1. Deadline for submission was not met.
2. Guidelines for proposal content, format, and length were not
followed exactly.
3. The proposal is not absolutely clear in describing one or several
elements of the study.
4. The author took highly partisan positions on issues and thus
vulnerable of the prejudices of the study.
5. The quality of writing was poor-for example sweeping and grandiose
claims or statements.
6. Proposal document reflected carelessness and lack of attention to details.

34. Methodological Reasons
1. The proposed question, design and method
are completely traditional with nothing that
could strike a reviewer unusual, intriguing or
clever.
2. The proposed method study is unsuited to
the purpose of research.
Common Reasons
Why Grant Proposals are Rejected

35. Personnel Reasons
1. As revealed in the review of literature , the
author simply does not know the territory.
2. The proposed study appeared to be beyond the
capacity of the author(s) in terms of training ,
experience and available resources.
Common Reasons
Why Grant Proposals are Rejected

36. Cost-benefit Reasons
1. The proposed study is not the agency’s priority
for this year.
2. The budget is unrealistic in terms of estimated
requirements for equipment, supplies and
personnel.
3. The cost of the proposed project appears to be
greater than any possible benefit to be derived
from its completion.
Common Reasons
Why Grant Proposals are Rejected

37. Sequence in Writing
A Concept Note
or
Full proposal

38. Concept NoteConcept Note
 Definition: 2-5 page summary of project proposal
 Need of Concept Note:
– Funding agency invites concept notes prior to full proposals
– Your idea is at preliminary stage, and want to test its success
– You want to find a donor
– You want to find a partner

39. Structure of a Project ProposalStructure of a Project Proposal
/ Concept Note:/ Concept Note:
Title: Brief, effective, communicating, impactful
Background /
Justification:
Why is the problem important / urgent
Objectives: should be SMART:
Technical Program Methodology to achieve the objectives
Inputs
Activities and
Duration:
Who will do what, when and how
Outputs: Achievements at the end (Events, New product / process ,
Information)
Beneficiaries: Farmers, landless laborers, nomads, consumers, public at large
Impact: Quantify your impacts like
Estimated Budget: realistic

40. ProposalDevelopmentProcess
• Donor Guidelines
• Department Head
• Colleagues
• Informal Peer Review
• Language Editing
• Govt. Departments
• Research Foundations
• Donor Agencies
Sponsor
Search
Scope of
Project
Refined
Idea
Writing
Budget
Revisions
Final Manuscript
Proposal
Submission
RESOURCES ASSISTANCE
• Govt. Departments
• Research Foundations
• Internet Reference
Services
• Proposal Writing Literature
(Reference Services)
• Proposal Writing Workshops
(Training & Development
Programs at NAARM)
• Funding Agencies
• Budget Workshops (Training &
Development Programs at NAARM)
• Colleagues
• Department Head
• Donor Guidelines
• Models of Winning
Research Proposals
• Donor Guidelines
and other information
• Co-PIs
• Literature Review
• Department Head
• Deans and Directors
• Brainstorming Sessions
Idea
Project
Management• NAARM Publications
• Partnerships & Linkages
• Stakeholders
• Consortium
• Proof Reading
• Checklist

41. Leading questions ?
 Do you have an innovative idea ?
 What is the subject or problem ?
 What do you want to do ?
 How will you do it ?
 Who will benefit and how ?
 How others find about it ?
 What will be outputs & their impacts ?
 What are the costs involved ?
 How do you qualify ?
 How does it interest the donor ?

42.  Writing Tips
 Sequence of Writing Proposals
–General Guidelines
–Donor’s guidelines

43. Step-1 : Focus on National Goal
 Food security
 Poverty alleviation
 Sustainable Development
 Elimination of malnutrition
 Environmental degradation
 Conservation of resources


44. Step-2: Objectives should beshould be SMART:SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time bound
Tips:
 Objectives important and urgent
 Consult others; spend time thinking
 Get the words right
 Possible within the time frame
 Do not promise more than you can do

45. Title:Title:
Characterisation of Genes affecting milkCharacterisation of Genes affecting milk
yield through PCR-RFLP and theiryield through PCR-RFLP and their
association with the milk traits for markerassociation with the milk traits for marker
assisted selectionassisted selection
1. To screen the cattle (Jersey, HF, local cattle and
crossbreds) for DGAT1 gene mutation in the organised
government and private dairy farms.
2. To study the effect of allelic variants, DGAT1K and
DGAT1A, on milk production traits viz. milk yield, fat
yield, protein yield, fat % and protein %.
3. To select the young bulls for desired DGAT1 allelic
variants to supplement to the selection on the basis of
phenotypic data for extra genetic gain

46. Augmentation of Milk Productivity:Augmentation of Milk Productivity: GeneGene
Assisted Selection of the Breeding Dairy BullsAssisted Selection of the Breeding Dairy Bulls
1. characterise the major genes DGAT1, Leptin, BGHR,
Lactoalbumin and Caseins influencing the yield and
composition of milk in Jersey and Crossbred cattle in J & K.
2. association of the allelic variants of major genes with milk
traits
3. genotyping all the bulls (for such major genes ) in the A I
program
4. integration of GAS with Breeding Policy followed by
Development Department for enhanced milk productivity

47. Title: To study the effect of new Management
practices on Natural Resources
Objectives
1. To study the soil map of the rainfed area
2. To study the different factors which influence the
sustainable cropping in the rain fed area.
3. To study the effect of the degraded natural
resources on agriculture
4. To study the effect of new SWNM practices on the
natural resource.

48. New Title: Sustaining Rainfed Agriculture :
Improving Management of Natural
Resources under Temperate Hill and
Mountain conditions
1. characterize natural resource base and identify physical
and socioeconomic constraints to increased sustainable
cropping in the target ecoregion.
2. apply and refine integrated cost-effective soil, water,
and nutrient management (SWNM) practices based on
the natural resource endowments of the farmers.
3. rehabilitate degraded medium-high water-holding
capacity soils and study effects of integrated SWNM
strategies on profitability and sustainability of the
system.
4. integrate and evaluate techno-economic feasibility of
promising strategies for crop intensification and
reducing soil degradation in the target ecoregion

49. Step-3. Title and Key Words
Tips for winning titles:
 Titles need to be catchy, informative, and
distinctive
 It should define the eco-region
 It should define the problem and its innovative
and novel solution
 It should contain the key words reflecting the
National Goal, Donors priorities
 Titles may reflect more than what you intend to
do

50. Title: Conventional vs WinningTitle: Conventional vs Winning
Conventional Title
Effect of moisture and temperature on
afalotoxicity in chicken and the
development of new diagnostic kit for its
detection
Characterisation of Genes affecting milk
yield through PCR-RFLP and their
association with the milk traits for
marker assisted selection
To study the effect of the different
treatments on the nutritive quality of the
rouphages
Winning Title
Why chickens die in poultry farms?
Developing a low-cost technology to
detect aflatoxin in chicken feed.
Augmentation of Milk productivity:
Gene Assisted Selection of the
Breeding dairy Bulls
Nutrient Enrichment of Crop
residues: Probiotics and enzymatic
treatment for improved digestibility
of crop residues

51. Title: Conventional vs WinningTitle: Conventional vs Winning
Conventional Title
To study the Pesticide Residues in apples
for health concerns under All India
Network project on Pesticides
Standardisation of Fertigation Schedules
and water requirement of Arid fruit
crops under micro-irrigation systems for
arid ecosystems
Standardisation of Macropropgation
Techniques and cultivation of Jatropha
Crucas for rural development
Winning Title
Sustainable Exports of Apples of J &
K: Concerns of Pesticide Residues
Sustaining Fruit Production in arid
ecosystem: Optimization of Water
and Fertilizer use
Sustainable Cultivation of Jatropha
curcas for development of rural
communities

52. Step-4: Introduction
– Background
– Justification
Step-5: Rationale / Origin of proposal
– Why is it important
– Urgency
 Why is the problem important / urgent
 Keep national priorities in focus:
• Poverty alleviation, Food security, preservation of
environment and natural resources, nutrition and
health
 Indicate:
• how your approach is efficient over the existing one
• What is the novelty in your approach

53. TipsTips :: Write to persuade thanWrite to persuade than
write to informwrite to inform
 Appeal to the self-interest of donor / readers
– Finding out the agency’s priorities
– Finding out individual and personal likes and dislikes
•By researching donor sites, and meeting donor staff face-to-
face
•You can find these things from your donor intelligence unit,
 Write with passion & urgency
— Use strong words like: urgent, vital, essential, new etc
— Avoid vague words like: possibly, under certain circumstances
— Use short and sharp sentences to push your message along
— Use the active voice as much as possible
— Put statements in a positive form
— Use definite, specific, and concrete language

54. Step-6: Materials & methods
 source of research material
 sampling methods
 use of GIS
 experimental design
 methodology
o new / innovative
o existing : cite by ref., if possible
 Remember your proposal will be evaluated
for scientific merit and quality

55. Step-7: Work program / Project management
To show:
– How we will achieve the objectives?
– How will the project be managed?
– What combination of inputs will be needed, when, and
in what quantities to achieve the desired outputs ?
Include:
– Project management arrangements, collaborators,
responsibilities, tie-ups, who reports to whom, etc.
– Inputs and level of efforts: Staffing, consultants,
equipment, etc.
– Time Plan: Phasing of activities, activity chart,
milestones for each objective.

56. PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLSPROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
 CHARTS
– Bar charts
– Milestone charts
 NETWORKS
– PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)
– CPM (Critical Path method
 Log framework

57. BAR CHARTS
TASK A
TASK B
TASK C
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time

58. Milestone Chart:
The milestone i.e., accomplishment of a specific
activity is represented by a circle over a task in the bar
chart. The chart also shows the sequential relationship
among the milestones or events within the same task.
TASK A
TASK B
TASK C
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time

59. Activity Code Pre activity Duration Start time
wrt sowing
Land prepration A - 2
Fertilizer application B A 2
Growth observation after
30 days
C B 2 30
Growth observation after
60 days
D C 2 60
Growth observation after
75 days
E D 2 75
Analysis and reporting F E 10
ACTIVITYSLACKBARCHARACTIVITYSLACKBARCHAR

60. Activity Time Verifiable Indicators Responsibility
• Engagement of Research Fellows Month 6
• Purchase of Equipments /
Renovation of Lab
Month 9
• Selection of livestock farms and
identification of animals
Month 9 Listed farms and animals P I, Co-PI
• Collection of data on performance
records
Month 12 Digitised data base Co-PI, JRF
• Collection of blood / semen
samples
Month 15 Repository of DNA
samples
Co-PI, JRF
DNA assaying of the target genes
• Screening for SNP at exon VIII of
the DGAT1
• SSCP
• PCR-RFLP
• Microsatellite (linked markers)
analysis
• Genotyping with automatic DNA
sequencer at NBAGR
Month 40 Results on different DNA
analytic techniques
Reports of NBAGR on
genotyping with
automatic DNA
sequencer
PI, SRF, JRF
Co-PI
( NBAGR)
Project Evaluation and Review Techniques (PERT Chart)

61. Statistical analysis:
• Association between milk
production traits and allelic variants
of target genes
• Marker maps would be calculated
using CRIMAP (Green et al 1990)
• Estimation of allele / haplotype
frequencies
• Estimation of frequency of favourable
gene combinations
Month 46 Reports on
Statistical analysis
PI, SRF, JRF
• Genotyping of all the breeding bulls in
use in A I program
Month 50 Genotype data of all
animals tabulated
SRF
Two tier selection strategy will be
adopted:
oPedigree selection bulls of elite
dams
oGene Assisted Selection on the
basis of favourable haplotype /
gene combination.
Month 55 Shortlisted animals
with desired
genotype
PI, Co-PI
•Report preparation Month 60 PI, SRF,
Project Evaluation and Review Techniques
(PERT Chart)
Activity Time Verifiable
Indicators
Responsibility

62. Step-7: Impact / Outcome / output
 Remember quantifiable impacts
are the most impressive
Check list
 Higher yields / productivity
 Higher farm incomes
 Farm family well being
 Gender-specific impact
 Import substitution
 More public sector accountability
 Enhanced community participation
 New food source for urban poor
 Human health benefits
 E - Governance
Explain how you will measure the above

63. Indicators . .
 Remember quantifiable impacts
are the most impressive
The proposal will be evaluated for
 Expected economic benefits and
identification of monitorable performance
indicators
 Likely achievement of objectives within the
time frame and budget

64. Step-9: Budget
 Develop the budget by
years and head-wise
 Justification required for
purchase of large equipment
 Be realistic, not greedy
 Never under-budget
 Include "bay windows" or activities
that can be dropped if donor asks you
to trim budget.

65. Illustrative budget format
 Personnel
 Travel
 Supplies and services
 Training, Workshops
 Evaluation
 Capital: vehicles, equipment, office space
 Indirect costs
 Contingency
 Total

66. Budget..
 Always footnote your budget with unit costs
 Add inflation to yearly budgets
 Check local costs at each location
 Collaborator wise different costs
 A summary budget supplemented by a
separate budget for each partner

67. Step-11 :Review draft
 Write and sleep on the proposal; then
re-read critically
 Listen to comments with patience
 Show it to a non-technical person
such as your spouse
 Try to catch errors, repetitions, and
inconsistencies
 Edit to shorten and make it clear

68. General tips
 Easy to read
 Short sentences of 10-15 words
 Be generous with paragraphs and the
white spaces around them; the 20 pages
should not look grey
 Use the active voice, the present and
future tense as often as possible

69. General tips . . .
 Support or substitute text by maps,
charts, photos, boxes and graphs
 Avoid bureaucratic and wasted
words, try to include quotes
 If you have to use “we,” always be
unambiguous; clearly identify which
scientist or partner will do what

70. Thanks a Lot