Experimental Design
Treatments: The RCT includes 4 experimental arms: (1) technical training treatment (2) leadership training treatment (3) joint monitoring treatment and (4) control group.
1. Technical Training Treatment: The technical training was structured to enhance watershed user groups (WUG) members to accurately implement biophysical watershed management structures. Participants were trained on the design, layout and preparation of eyebrow basins, micro-basin and trenches. The training emphasized slop suitability, contour alignment, spacing and water retention capacity considerations. Participants received detailed instruction on trench preparation techniques, including appropriate depth and width, plantation pit sizing and preparation, and post-plant management practices such as watering, weeding strategies, and spacing to improve plant survival and over all site sustainability. Hands on training was conducted at demonstration sites, reflecting existing technical gaps and aligning with nationally recommended watershed management standards (Community Based Participatory Watershed Development Standards). Demonstrations and practical exercises (70% of the training) were conducted outdoors in the field, covering the step-by-step preparation of eyebrow basins, micro-basin, and trenches as well as post plant management. The training was delivered to the chairperson and three members of the WUG soil and water conservation committee in the designated treatment villages. Awareness regarding the importance of watershed management and its relevance to curve climate related challenges was also included. The training was conducted over a two-day period at central district level Framer Training Centers (FTCs) using a participatory approach that involved group discussions, practical exercises, presentations, and prepared slides and images. This treatment expected to reduce technical measurement errors in self-reported activity data and improve the quality and accuracy of watershed management implementation.
2. Leadership Training Treatment: The leadership training aims to strengthen the governance capacity of WUG executive committee members by focusing on the six core components of essential for effective and sustainable governance: leadership, planning and goal setting, inspirational leadership, participatory decision-making, accountability, and transparency. The training is delivered over two days using participatory and interactive methods such as role-playing exercises, scenario-based activities, and group discussions, facilitated and trained by experts in governance and natural resource management. Four key members of each WUG executive committee the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and finance (treasurer) participant in the training to ensure that core leadership positions are equipped with the necessary skills and tools. The treatment is expected to have multiple positive effects on WUG governance and management. It will reduce elite induced reporting errors and leader-members response discrepancies, ensuring that leaders’ response align more closely with members responses. It will strengthen internal accountability mechanisms, promote transparency in decision making processes, and encourage active participation of committee members in planning and goal setting.
3. Joint Monitoring Treatment (Joint Monitoring + Reward): The joint monitoring treatment aims to motivate watershed user groups (WUGs) to actively implement their established goals by strengthening leadership, governance, and the implementation of sustainable watershed management practices. The joint monitoring structure, comprising two active WUG members and one district-level Natural Resource Management (NaRM) expert, has already been established. In one of the joint monitoring rounds, WUG leaders, members, and experts independently complete a detailed monitoring checklist to assess performance. This checklist covers both technical aspects such as the quality and implementation of watershed management practices and governance aspects, including leadership effectiveness, group participation, transparency and accountability. By looking the individual checklist, deviations from common average. At the end of the intervention period, rewards are allocated based on a fair, evidence-based comparison of each WUG’s performance. A zonal and district-level rewards committee, composed of senior NaRM officials and district technical committee members, reviews the monitoring results to select the top-performing WUGs. Rewards include material support and public recognition, such as certificates. The treatment is expected to reduce both technical and governance-related measurement errors, improve alignment between leader and member reports, and incentivize accurate reporting and high-quality implementation of watershed management practices.
4. Control Group (Business-as-Usual): The control group continues with their existing watershed management practices without exposure to any additional training or monitoring interventions. Expected effect: This group serves as a baseline and is expected to maintain existing levels of measurement errors, providing a comparison for evaluating the causal impact of the other interventions.