LEAD ORGANISATION: Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (Centre for Grower-centric Ecovalue Mechanisms)

LOCATION: Pan India

Centre for Grower-centric Ecovalue Mechanisms (C-GEM) is a farmer-centric non-profit platform aiming to protect farmers’ interests in the upcoming carbon markets, advocate for sector-wide transparency, and develop better instruments to increase payments for ecosystem services. The proposed initiative aims to empower rural communities and civil society organisations (CSOs) by increasing transparency and fairness in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs). By providing negotiation support, ensuring fair revenue distribution, and making project data accessible to farmers and CSOs. The project seeks to protect farmers and communities from unjust practices while promoting equitable participation in carbon markets. Additionally, the initiative focuses on spreading awareness, developing toolkits in local languages, and creating a public online platform for increased transparency and accountability.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Earth Matter Foundation 

LOCATION: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland

Lakshmi Agriculture Multipurpose Project is an agriculture farm which is integrated in nature with Fish farming, rice, vegetables, cattles, honey, mushroom etc. where they practise organic farming since 2003. They received organic certification for their farm in 2011. Their work is focused on indigenous seed conservation and promotion spread across North East Region. They have trainned around 22000 farmers and like minded farming enthusiasts, individuals and students in last two decades.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Sambhav

LOCATION: Odisha

Sambhav, established on March 8, 1989, is a renowned grassroots organisation in India dedicated to organic farming, biodiversity conservation, and ecological land regeneration. With nearly three decades of experience, Sambhav has pioneered organic farming practices and served as a resource centre for seed sharing and climate change awareness. In the proposed project, Sambhav will extend its efforts to 15 villages in Nayagarh and Ganjam districts inhabited by the Kui Kandha Indigenous communities in Odisha, emphasising a family approach with women and youth in leadership roles. Through a participatory approach, the project aims to develop sustainable farming practices using local resources, addressing climate, nutrition, and livelihood challenges while preparing the next generation of environmentally conscious farmers.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Waatavaran Climate, Environment and Sustainability Foundation

LOCATION: Maharashtra

Waatavaran is a Not-for-Profit organisation founded in 2018 by environment nurturers with an aim to take tangible actions to protect the planet and its vulnerable communities. They believe in nurturing the symbiotic relationship that co-exists between humans and nature to create a climate-habitable environment for everyone. The proposed project in Raigad district, Maharashtra, aims to empower tribal farmers over two years, support their transition to natural farming and agroecology-based practices, enhance their farming capacities, and develop compost fertiliser plants. By identifying and supporting master farmers, the initiative fosters community-driven leadership and promotes resilient, self-sufficient agricultural practices to strengthen food systems. The farmers, including women and youth, are central to the project’s implementation.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Al Salam Education Trust (Ajam Emba)

LOCATION: Jharkhand

Al Salam Education Trust, under the initiative called Ajam Emba, a tribal cuisine ambassador based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous food systems. The proposed project aims to create an Indigenous Food Network across Jharkhand, Assam, and Nagaland. The initiative focuses on documenting traditional food cultures, addressing climate vulnerabilities, and empowering indigenous farmers, especially women. Through activities like food festivals, participatory research, and skill enhancement, the project seeks to rejuvenate tribal food traditions and facilitates its inclusion at the policy level to support agroecological practices and food sovereignty.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Aga Khan Rural Support Programme

LOCATION: Gujarat

The National Coalition of Natural Farming – Gujarat is spearheading an initiative to strengthen agroecological food systems across the state. This project focuses on capacity building, coalition building, and government engagement, aiming to educate civil society organisations, farmers, and other stakeholders on sustainable agricultural practices. By offering workshops, developing communication tools, and fostering collaboration between CSOs and government bodies, the initiative seeks to promote natural farming, enhance soil health, and create resilient, ecologically sound agricultural systems. This holistic approach is designed to drive systemic change and empower communities in Gujarat.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Aatapi Seva Foundation

LOCATION: Gujarat

Aatapi Seva Foundation is a social development institution working towards holistic and sustainable community development through the promotion and strengthening of community-based organisations. The proposed project aims to promote natural farming among small and marginalised farmers in Jambusar Block, Bharuch, Gujarat. By creating an ecosystem that supports natural farming, fostering behaviour change, and developing women as farming champions, the project seeks to improve soil health, reduce chemical inputs, and enhance farmers’ incomes. The initiative will also establish market linkages to ensure sustained income for farmers, which will contribute to sustaining the larger agroecological transformation.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha

LOCATION: West Bengal

Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha (BTS) is a community-based organisation dedicated to fostering sustainable development in the country’s remote villages and environmentally critical Sunderban region, West Bengal.
The proposed “Climate-Smart Agro-Ecological Restoration in Sundarbans” project focuses on strengthening agroecological food systems through capacity building, training programs for students and farmers, promoting biodiversity conservation, and fostering community engagement and participatory decision-making. By addressing these aspects, the project aims to build resilient agroecological food systems in the Sundarbans, promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing the community’s ability to adapt to climate change.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

LOCATION: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh,

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) is a professional resource organization engaged in establishing models of sustainable agriculture working in partnership with Farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, Governments, NGOs, and Markets.

The proposed project aims to scale up agroecological practices across India by compiling and curating best practices from various agroclimatic zones. It will involve field surveys, data collection, and the creation of knowledge products like manuals and training modules. The project will train 50 master trainers, who will, in turn, support the scaling up of these practices among farmers and community resource persons. The focus is on building resource materials and a knowledge-based extension system to empower farmers with sustainable, locally adapted agricultural approaches.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Cerana Foundation

LOCATION: Karnataka

Cerana Foundation, established in 1996, focuses on addressing environmental and social impacts on disadvantaged and marginalised communities, including small farmers, unskilled workers, and women. The proposed project aims to promote agroecological practices and biodiversity conservation in Khanapur, Belagavi District, Karnataka. By establishing a model site, seed banks, nurseries, and awareness programs, the project seeks to enhance climate resilience and livelihood diversification for smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth. The initiative will also raise awareness about sustainable practices and the ecological value of the Western Ghats.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Chetana-Vikas

LOCATION: Maharashtra

CHETANA-VIKAS is a registered Society and Trus that has been actively taking up interventions of programmes and activities for the last 3 decades in the broad areas of rural development. CHETANA-VIKAS has been a pioneer in initiating various empowerment strategies that can be learnt from and also replicated in many areas/villages of the country. The name of the organisation denotes the two way approach, namely Critical Consciousness (Chetana), Development of human and physical resources (Vikas). The proposed project aims to address the agrarian crisis by promoting “Farming for Self-Reliance,” an agroecological model integrating diverse crops in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. The initiative will work with 100 farmer couples across 20 villages, providing them with knowledge, skills, and resources to establish agroecological farms. These farms will serve as model sites, showcasing sustainable, organic farming practices and contributing to food security and climate resilience in the region..

LEAD ORGANISATION: Grameena Vikas Kendram Society for Rural Development

LOCATION: Andhra Pradesh

Grameena Vikas Kendram Society for Rural Development (GVK Society) collaborates with approximately 21,000 small, marginal, tribal, and women farmers, driven by a mission to construct regenerative and circular agricultural supply chains. The RADDIS (Radically Disruptive) project, led by GVK Society in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, aims to transition from harmful, chemical-dependent farming to resilient multi-crop systems, enhancing both livelihoods and the environment, focusing on empowering tribal women farmers. The tangible benefits of RADDIS extend beyond the economic gains, encompassing enhancements in plant biodiversity, improved water-holding capacity, the promotion of healthy soils, and the sequestration of atmospheric carbon. By championing sustainable farming practices, RADDIS not only contributes to the well-being of farmers but also fosters environmental rejuvenation in the region.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Green Foundation

LOCATION: Karnataka

GREEN Foundation works with the vision of a well-preserved, diverse ecosystem that sustains the rural livelihoods of the present generation without eroding the resource base of the future. This vision promotes ecological agriculture that preserves and promotes natural elements in the agri-food system while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. The proposed project focuses on enhancing the resilience of small-holder women farmers in South India by using Evolutionary Plant Breeding (EPB) to develop climate-smart varieties of finger millet. The initiative aims to train women farmers in EPB, scale-up trials, document learnings, and enhance seed production capacity. By conserving indigenous crop varieties and empowering women farmers, the project contributes to strengthening agroecological food systems and climate adaptation.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN)

LOCATION: Rajasthan

The proposed project by the Rajasthan Natural Farming Coalition (RNFC) aims to strengthen natural farming practices and scale up the transition toward NF in the state. The project will document successful methods, integrate natural farming into local government plans, build the capacity of frontline functionaries to better support farmers. The initiative also plans to develope educational materials, conduct state-level workshops to foster collaboration among CSOs and influence integration of NF into government systems/policies. The overall goal is to build a stronger foundation for natural farming in the state, benefiting small and marginal farmers.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Sambhaav Trust

LOCATION: Rajasthan

Sambhaav Trust, a voluntary development organisation, focuses on sustainable development of human and natural resources in Rajasthan, addressing livelihood challenges of pastoral and agricultural communities using the medium of community-based constructive work around water and related ecological themes. Building on its previous work in Alwar and Jaisalmer, Sambhaav proposes to establish agroecological food production systems with 400 farmers across 20 villages. This initiative aims to improve food quality, soil health, and overall farm ecosystem resilience, leveraging Sambhaav’s established community trust and ecological restoration efforts. The project will also create agro-ecosystem-specific models for broader application across Rajasthan. Additionally, the project aims to foster a community-driven approach to agroecology, linking farmers to local and urban markets and promoting sustainable agriculture as an integral part of natural resource stewardship in Rajasthan.