The primary objective of this book is to fulfill the increasing demand for Impact Evaluation (IE) studies, as the main purpose of Impact Assessment (IA) is to gauge the magnitude and distribution of changes in outcome and impact indicators among the target population, and to determine the extent to which these changes can be attributed to the interventions being evaluated. This book, which is likely the first of its kind in the country, features contributions from subject matter specialists and practitioners working in various fields, and covers both the methodology and analytical issues of IA. The book also highlights impact assessment methodologies such as PRA techniques, the logical framework approach for project monitoring, evaluation, and impact analysis, using the latest available economic, financial, social, environmental, and MDG indicators. In addition, case studies on topics such as technological impact on agro-ecosystems, pulse production, crop diversification and agricultural output, and integrated rehabilitation of Tsunami-affected people in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are included. The book also features contributions from experts on the socio-economic impact of cashew production, shrimp farming, aquaculture production, and the conservation of the ecology of coastal zone vegetation, with a focus on Mangroves and water hyacinth. The book also includes case studies on the assessment of ICT, remote sensing fluxomics, and agricultural insurance on future crop production in India, as well as a program evaluation of the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yogana (SGSY) for those involved in such projects. This book also includes a comprehensive glossary of IA terms, a list of IA studies conducted in India by the Programme Evaluation Organization of the Planning Commission, and sector-wide priority indicators for agriculture and rural development, which serve as valuable references.
