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Welcome to our Journal, Learnings from field. We feel that it is the journal for the new age.
It is a multi-disciplinary journal where people from different disciplines can contribute, as they go down to the field and put their ears and mind to the ground. The Journal is driven by the values of human welfare and encourages research in any area that deals with bettering human lives or preserving environment.
We also publish analysis of the current topics, to keep our readers uptodate about the happenings in the world.
This is an open access journal. We charge nothing from either the readers or the authors. We are devoted to the cause of making the knowledge free.
All the articles published in this journal are peer reviewed to ensure a certain level of quality. However, we would like to emphasize that we work with the authors, continuously helping them in bettering their article. We help the researchers in identifying a research topic and also defining the research mehtodology. We hardly ever reject an article because the Centre is wedded to the values of co-operation and inclusivity.
Please submit your manuscripts to admin@fieldlearning.in. Your article can have photos or links to videos. The article should not exceed 16 pages in a microsoft word file. The font size should be 12 and the article must use the font Garamond. Please see the style of referencing from the articles given below.
Progress on Human Development Indicators: A Study of MDGs and SDGs
Alka Parikh. Issue 3, July-December 2025. (Presentation)
This paper examines global progress on human development indicators through a comparative analysis of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MDGs, launched in 2000, set eight measurable targets addressing poverty, health, education, and gender equality, and achieved considerable success, with significant reductions in extreme poverty, hunger, maternal and child mortality, and communicable diseases. In contrast, the SDGs, adopted in 2015, expanded the agenda to 17 goals and 169 targets, aiming for a comprehensive vision of sustainable development. While ambitious, this expansion has often diluted focus and hindered effective implementation. Midway through the SDG timeline, evidence shows limited progress on key indicators, with setbacks in areas such as poverty reduction, disease control, and education, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts. Nevertheless, notable achievements include improved access to primary education, reductions in maternal mortality, and declining HIV infections. The paper also highlights structural weaknesses in the SDG framework, particularly vague or poorly defined targets, and critiques the sustainability of development models in high-performing nations. Finally, it draws on the Happy Planet Index to propose alternative ways of assessing human well-being that emphasize ecological balance, equity, and contentment, urging a shift from material growth to sustainable human flourishing.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395572650_Progress_on_Human_Development_Indicators_A_study_of_MDGs_and_SDGs_Learnings_from_Field_Issue_3_July-December_2025_pp_17-26
Using wastewater for agriculture final.docxA Case for Using the Urban Wastewater for Agriculture
Alka Palrecha and Alka Parikh. Issue 3, July-December 2025.
This paper presents a case for using the urban wastewater in agriculture for irrigation and fertilization. Such use helps in increasing fresh water supply, because its demand for irrigation decreases. Farmers can use the urban wastewater to take three crops a year and that too without applying fertilizers. Wastewater, treated or untreated, is used beneficially for agriculture even today. Studies have shown that irrigation with groundwater yields lesser productivity compared to using wastewater for irrigation. It is also pointed out that releasing the wastewater, even when treated, in the freshwater bodies harm the purity of that water. Land has mechanisms to absorb the faeces of land animals while water does not have that ability.
Data is presented to show the quality of untreated wastewater. However, many farmers use local techniques to treat the sewage water before using it. Through the case study of two villages in Gujarat, it is demonstrated that such careful use of wastewater does not leave behind much impact on the health of the villagers.
The last two sections show that the practice of using wastewater for agriculture is prevalent in many parts of India and Gujarat. The economic benefits to the farmers are substantial. It is recommended that policy frameworks should recognize and integrate wastewater irrigation into water management strategies, invest in low-cost treatment systems, and support farmers with institutional arrangements that maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
happiness paper.docxAlternative Measures to GDP: Happiness Index and Happy Planet Index.
Alka Parikh and Aaisha Nazrana. Issue 2. May-June 2025.
Many scholars have argued against the appropriateness of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a number that defines a nation’s status. Of late, in addition to HDI, two more indices have been attracting attention: Happiness Index and Happy Planet Index. The main argument is that the goal for any nation should be to strive for happiness of its citizens. And happiness does not come only from materialistic things. Starting from a simple question, “Rate how happy/satisfied you are with your life”, these indices have grown to include many variables. Still, their critics feel that their methodology lacks rigor.
Without getting into the arguments for and against these indices, this paper uses some of the important parameters used by these indices to find out the “levels of happiness” reported by a small sample of people from Mumbai, Delhi and a few villages of Gujarat. The paper shows that relentless pursuit of constant increases in incomes does not seem to be the only or the best way to make the citizens happy. There can be many other alternative “models of development” that can make the citizens happy.
mani prakash paper final (2).docxUnderstanding perspectives on women farmers on climate change in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Mani Prakash. Issue 2. May-June 2025.
In the climate-stressed agrarian plains of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, women farmers face a paradox: they are central to food production yet largely invisible in climate adaptation frameworks. Drawing on fieldwork with 45 women across caste and class in two villages, this study explores how women perceive and articulate climate change, their access to state support, and the layered barriers that shape their vulnerability. The findings reveal a stark mismatch between lived realities and policy assumptions. Despite deep awareness of shifting weather patterns, rising heat, erratic rainfall, declining soil quality, most women lack access to schemes, information, or decision-making power. Caste, landlessness, and wage disparities further entrench this exclusion. The paper argues for a reimagining of climate adaptation through a gender-just lens, one that recognises women as farmers in their own right and addresses structural inequities, not just technical gaps.
Russia war and trade.docxThe Economic Sanctions do hurt Russia, but Less than Expected
Alka Parikh and Shraddha Umarji. Issue 2. May-June 2025.
Russia's invasion of the Ukraine territory was strongly condemned by the world. The global superpowers including the US and the European Union have been relentlessly pressuring Russia to end the war. We find some videos on internet saying that the sanctions have not hurt Russia. We also find that the Russian economy continues to grow, with the military expenditure helping the process. But that is not the only factor contributing to growth, there are other factors too. Russia has adopted trade diversification away from the US and the EU towards Asia, Africa and Latin America. The study highlights that Russia has managed to keep itself afloat in spite of the Western sanctions.
China trade.docxCan Trump really detabilize the Chinese growth trajectory? Alka Parikh and Shraddha Umarji. Issue 1. February, 2025.
Immediately after Trump took over the charge of America, he imposed high tariffs on his major trade partners. This paper looks at the effect that the tariff war can have on China, the largest exporter to USA. The paper finds that China digested the first wave of tariff imposed by Trump in 2018 well and its exports to the USA increased to all time high by 2021-22. Expecting disruptions from the USA, China has already started diversifying its export partners. Citing some other statistics, the paper concludes that the tariff war will not affect the Chinese economy that much.
community model Pond.docxA Community Model for Rejuvenating a Pond.
Alka Parikh. Issue 1, April 2024.
Many cities of India are predicted to start going dry within just 10 years. One way to postpone this predicament is to have ponds that would not only harvest the rainwater but would recharge the ground water too. Increase in biodiversity is an added advantage.
India had many ponds historically, but many are lost now because of landfill or neglect. This article shows how the existing degraded ponds can be regenerated by a community by taking up the case study of a village in Gujarat.
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