1. Current challenges to sustainable
development in India.
Solar energy projects in Andhra Pradesh tribal areas
Relatore: Mario Biggeri
Correlatore: Luciano Segreto
Co-correlatore: Filippo Randelli
Candidato: Silvia Binelli
Corso magistrale in Relazioni Internazionali e Studi Europei
A. A. 2015/2016
4. Population: Scheduled Tribes of India
Initial condition: poverty, migration and
subsistence economy
Theoretical framework: SL and BN
Methodology: focus groups and interviews
Which outcomes after solar system installations?
5.
6.
7.
8. NATURAL CAPITAL more food availability thanks to more cash availability
more food stock for all
water provided by solar panels
FINANCIAL CAPITAL more savings because they stopped spending on kerosene
new forms of income
stable income
PHYSICAL CAPITAL limited time power access (both transportable lanterns
and time slots)
presence of phone and TV in the hamlet after the solar
energy access
if they are connected to the grid power
HUMAN CAPITAL more children go to school
if it has improved health of tribal people
if women are saving time after the solar panels
implementation
SOCIAL CAPITAL if people do gather for watching news and TV series
if there are assemblies at the hamlet level after sunset
if the local mobility has increased rather on walkable
distance or using a two-wheeler
0
1
2
3
Natural
Capital
Human
Capital
Financial
Capital
Physical
Capital
Social
Capital
P. K. Veedhi
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Natural
Capital
Human
Capital
Financial
Capital
Physical
Capital
Social
Capital
Cherapalle
Sainagaram
0
1
2
3
Natural
Capital
Human
Capital
Financial
Capital
Physical
Capital
Social
Capital
Bhalluguda
0
1
2
3
Natural
Capital
Human
Capital
Financia
l Capital
Physical
Capital
Social
Capital
Jakhraguda
Outcomes between the five SLA “capitals”
9. Sainagar
am
Bhallugu
da
Jakhragu
da
P. K.
Veedhi
Cherapalle
Food stock available 3 2 N.A. 1 1
Net Disposable Income 3 3 1 1 1
Technology access 3 N. A. 2 1 1
Seasonality and
migration
3 1 1 0 N. A.
Education 3 2 3 1 0
Health 3 2 2 1 1
Mobility 3 2 2 1 0
TOTAL 21 12 11 6 4
Other dimensions Sainagar
am
Bhallugud
a
Jakhrag
uda
P. K.
Veedhi
Cherapalle
Water access 1 1 1 0 0
Women empowerment
and social benefits
1 1 1 1 1
New income-oriented
activities
1 1 N.A. 0 0
The multidimensional processes towards development in the five tribal hamlets electrified through solar energy.
Scores of the relevant parameters
Outcome on the tribal population’s BASIC NEEDS FULFILMENT (scores from -3 to +3)
• Food availability: A) +1 when they can buy more food thanks to more savings;
B) +2 when there is enough food for all; C) +3 when there is agricultural
surplus to be sold in the local market.
• Net Disposable Income: A) +1 when they save kerosene money; B) +2 when
they have a stable income; C) +3 when they have more cash availability
because they started any new income-oriented activities.
• Technology access: A) +1 for the presence in the hamlet of shared TV and
phones; B) +2 if at least one familiar phone and TV is present in every family;
• C) +3 if new income-oriented activity started as direct or indirect impact of
solar power access.
• Seasonality and migration: A) +1 when they have a more stable agricultural
production; B) +2 when they have an annual based income from agriculture;
• C) +3 when they stopped migrating.
• Education: A) +1 when children read at home sometimes but they not go to
school regularly; B) +2 when the children spend some time in reading and
studying activities on a daily basis; C) +3 when all the children both go to
school and also study at home.
• Mobility: A) +1 for a positive impact in walking distance mobility; B) +2 when
they have an easier and more frequent access to the local market; C) +3 when
they have any private vehicle property to use for their mobility on a wider
scale.
• Health: A) +1 for a positive impact e.g. better nutrition of the tribal after
house lighting provision; B) +2 for more than a positive impact e.g. an
improvement in accessing health-care services; C) +3 for a very positive
impact in the cases where there is not any cash availability’s problem to cover
health treatments.
10. A comparison between Sainagaram hamlet and the oldest electrified village of Downuru
Sainagaram Downuru
NC Enough food for all yes No
Enough water for all yes yes
FC New forms of income yes yes
Stable and sufficient income for subsistence needs yes No
PC Power access yes yes
Other capital assets (Roads, School, doctor nearby the village) no yes
HC Children study and attend the local school yes yes
Access to health for all yes No
Women empowerment yes Yes and
no
SC Mobility yes No
Association and group assemblies yes yes
11. Conclusion
• Outcome variation between different solar projects
(house/roads/agriculture/transportable lanterns)
• Outcome variation between different backers
• Tribal population involvement both in the decision making
process and in covering part of the fixed costs aimed at
solar systems installations
• Multi-framed scheme in development and bottom up
approach
• Important to consider the most basic needs fulfilment and
the tribal needs to improve their own livelihood assets
