To better understand and reflect on the current realities and challenges in the field. The aim of the baseline study is to assess the effectiveness of existing programs and projects in order to develop them further in a targeted manner for a sustainable future. For us – the bioRe Foundation Switzerland – it was essential that local organizations take the lead in conducting the baseline survey. This strong sense of personal responsibility and local anchoring of the study enabled local experts to gain new perspectives and sparked a creative and goal-oriented dialogue in the various departments of the country organizations.
The results of the baseline study in India and Tanzania were divided into five core dimensions by the local organizations:
- Independence
- Income, diversification, and control
- Competence
- A say in decision-making processes
- Self-perception and self-efficacy
Conclusion of the baseline study
The study clearly showed us that empowerment is not a goal, but a process. One expression of self-empowerment in action is when people reflect on themselves and take responsibility for their own decisions and structures. These five core dimensions, which were used to record the results of the study, will help us not only to promote self-empowerment measures in a more targeted manner in the future, but also to make them measurable. The baseline study is an important milestone in the further development of our cooperation with our partners in Tanzania and India. It represents the growing independence of the country organizations. The core dimensions resulting from the survey of farmers have shown that the bioRe country organizations are on the right track with their activities and projects and need to be further expanded.
Fieldwork in Ahilyapura, India Photo: © Lara Lone, 2025
Information about the study in India
Title: “Baseline Study on the Development Work of bioRe Association India (2024–2025),” 126 pages, EN
Implementing organization: bioRe Association India, Kasrawad, Madhya Pradesh
In cooperation with: Remei India (formerly bioRe India Limited) Author: Anju Manikoth
Funding agency: bioRe Association India, with financial support from the bioRe Foundation Switzerland
Duration: June 2024 – January 2025
Target region: Nimar region, Madhya Pradesh, India (zones: Kasrawad, Maheshwar, Nimrani, Rajgarh, Bilali, Sirpur)
Methodology: Qualitative baseline study, semi-structured
Data collection: Interviews with 33 farmers (representative across 6 zones), unstructured interviews with key individuals within the organization, focus groups with farmers and empowerment team, desk research, and on-site observation
Download Baseline Study as pdf, EN (126 Seiten, 4.4 MB)
Fieldwork in Mwamishali, Tansania
Information about the study in Tanzania
Title: “Baseline Survey Report on the New Empowerment Program,” 53 pages, EN
Implementing organization: bioRe Foundation Tanzania, in collaboration with Remei Tanzania
Author: Albert Tibaijuka
Funding agency: bioRe Foundation Tanzania, with financial support from the bioRe Foundation Switzerland
Study period: May 2024 – December 2024
Target region: Meatu District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania (a total of 32 villages, including Mwamishali, Mwamatiga, Mwambegwa)
Methodology: Mixed methods (quantitative + qualitative)
Data collection: 32 farmers (50% women), interviews at village level; focus group with 25 farmers (Mwamishali); interview round with 18 key persons (e.g., lead farmers, project managers, PRB members)
Download Baseline Study als PDF, EN (53 Seiten, 1.9 MB)
The 5 core dimensions of self-efficacy
The five core dimensions identified by the study, their derivation for future impact measurements, and what they mean for the foundation’s work:
1. Independence
Many farmers are under pressure because their income continues to be heavily dependent on organic cotton. For local communities, independence means being able to secure their livelihoods independently and having choices in terms of economic security. People want additional sources of income alongside organic cotton cultivation. The dimension of income and diversification is strongly correlated with the dimension of independence.
What the foundation does:
The foundation supports income diversification opportunities with its workshops on entrepreneurship.
2. Income, Diversification, and Control
In order for farmers and their families to be more resilient to crises, especially climate change and the associated risks of crop failures, it is important not only to increase their income but also to secure it through diversification.
What the foundation does:
Our goal as a foundation is to create conditions that enable members of farming families to secure their livelihoods independently, without being solely dependent on a successful organic cotton harvest. We see the ability to act independently as a key prerequisite for sustainable development. These results have strengthened our foundation’s commitment to further promoting biodiversity and entrepreneurship. Specifically: expansion of agroforestry projects (as an active measure for soil erosion control and at the same time an important source of nutrition for farming families) and workshops for women in the area of “alternative sources of income and entrepreneurship,” promoting women’s economic independence.
3. Competence
The dimension of competence encompasses the knowledge, skills, and abilities that farmers and their families need to secure their livelihoods sustainably and develop further. The baseline study survey clearly showed that farmers want to further strengthen and build on their skills.
What the foundation does:
The bioRe Foundation promotes skills development in the various components of the foundation:
- Cotton training: Holistic approach to training in organic farming; improving soil fertility, building biodiversity, crop rotation, GMO-free seeds, and natural pest control.
- Education: Through the bioRe animation schools and the bioRe public school, we actively promote the development of skills among children in the communities. Access to education has developed over the course of our local cooperation and in response to local needs. Enabling and strengthening this is an integral part of the bioRe Foundation’s mission.
- Strengthening women’s skills/entrepreneurship: Specific training for women in organic cotton farming and strengthening their roles, particularly through entrepreneurship.
4. A say in decision-making processes
The communities want to play an active role in decision-making processes and take on shared responsibility. There is a great need for the communities affected to be involved and participate in the planning and implementation of projects and activities.
What the foundation does:
Since its inception, the bioRe Foundation has pursued a bottom-up approach and focused on strengthening local governance, understanding that participation is a key prerequisite for shifting decision-making power in a sustainable manner.
5. Self-perception and self-efficacy
Self-awareness describes the awareness of one’s own role, values, and strengths. It draws on one’s own experiences and the realization that one can make a difference and bring about change through one’s own actions. Self-awareness and self-efficacy are important for gaining the confidence in one’s own abilities that is necessary to make decisions, pursue goals, and share what one has learned with others. It is important for farmers to play an active role in projects and activities, thereby making an important contribution and exerting influence in their own environment and within society.
What the foundation does:
Based on the findings of the baseline study, the country organizations are now consciously focusing on the presence and empowerment of so-called local key persons. These are bridge builders who emerge from the local communities and take on tasks in the activities of the bioRe organizations. They take on roles such as “workshop leader,” “trainer,” or “pioneering entrepreneur.” The bioRe country organizations support these people in their roles so that they can develop the best solutions for their community themselves. There is still a lot of potential here for the future design of the program and activities.
