In Madhubani, Bihar, Anoj and Stephanie from IWMI and one Sakhi staff met seven farmer groups established by Sakhi in the villages of Loha Piper and Bhagwatipur. The farmers discussed the value of a functioning group and collective farming for women and tenants’ empowerment, while the group dynamics and the style of communication in the groups was observed.

In West Bengal, Joy and Mithali from CDHI and Prasun and Stephanie from IWMI visited the villages Dholaguri and Uttar Chakaoketi to interview farmer group members. In-depth interviews were conducted with group members to understand their particular constraints in accessing water for productive farming – with a close look at gender, age, caste and other power relations.