Based on research and development experience in Bihar (now Jharkhand), West Bengal and Orissa, and some further work in the western (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan) and central (Maharashtra) regions covering tribal populations, the Fisheries Development Commissioner encouraged the STREAM Initiative, with funding from DFID NRSP, in collaboration with NACA, to play a role in recommending reforms under the FFDA scheme or even suggest a new “tribal” rainfed farming component that could be launched in the next year.

In order to exemplify such work on constraints and policy concerns, within the Tenth Five-year Plan, a “Component Concept Note” based on research and development work with tribal groups was drafted and provided to the Commissioner in March 2002. This will provide opportunities for interactive workshops, meetings and consultations that might lead to recommendations for developing a new scheme or component of an ongoing scheme.