LEAD ORGANISATION: Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi

LOCATION: Maharashtra

Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi is working to strengthen agroecological and forest-based livelihoods across 30 villages in the tribal districts of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, Maharashtra. This initiative integrates ecological farming with sustainable forest resource management to enhance food security, biodiversity, and income for indigenous communities. It promotes climate-resilient crops, value addition to non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and women-led collectives for processing and marketing. Leveraging Gram Sabha institutions and government schemes like NREGS, the project focuses on soil and water conservation, community forest rights, and gender-equitable governance. The initiative aims to build resilient local economies while restoring degraded ecosystems through grassroots leadership and convergence with public programs.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Chaitanya

LOCATION: Maharashtra

Chaitanya is working with women farmers in the suicide-affected districts of Amravati and Yavatmal in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region to diversify livelihoods and dietary patterns through agroecological practices. The initiative promotes the WADI model, vegetable cultivation, and localised nurseries to enhance food security and income for 100 tribal and rural families. By reviving traditional nutrition knowledge and promoting low-input, climate-resilient farming, the project empowers women-led SHG federations to shift toward ecologically and financially sustainable food systems. Trained local women leaders (Jankars) will support community-led adoption of agroecology and enable access to public schemes. This initiative strengthens a bottom-up, community-driven model to address agrarian distress and promote wellbeing in one of India’s most vulnerable rural landscapes.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Jan Chetna Sansthan 

LOCATION: Rajasthan

Jan Chetna Sansthan is launching the SAPAN initiative to spotlight the vital yet overlooked role of nomadic and pastoralist communities in sustaining agroecology and preserving commons in southern Rajasthan. Project spans eight blocks across Udaipur, Pali, Sirohi, and Rajsamand districts. Through community-driven research, mapping of traditional nomadic routes, and policy analysis, it seeks to document the historical contributions and current marginalisation of these groups. Results will include a comprehensive report, policy brief, and short film designed to influence academics, civil society, and government towards recognising and restoring commons. This is a crucial step toward restoring commons and reinforcing sustainable, equitable food systems and ecological governance. 

LEAD ORGANISATION: Jandakhsa Trust 

LOCATION: Rajasthan

Jandaksha Trust is empowering rural women in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district through organic farming and agroecological capacity building. This women-led initiative works with tribal and marginalised women farmers to promote seed sovereignty, improve soil health, and revive traditional eco-friendly practices. The project supports training on organic inputs like Jeevamrut, seed preservation, composting, and pest control, while building strong market linkages for women’s produce. Partnering with research institutions and KVKs, the initiative blends scientific and traditional knowledge to strengthen sustainable farming systems. By addressing gender inequality and environmental degradation, the project creates pathways for women’s economic independence and resilient local food systems.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Keystone Foundation

LOCATION: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Kerala, Assam, Bihar 

Keystone Foundation, building on its impactful first phase, is deepening its work on indigenous seed conservation across India through its new initiative, Strengthening Farmer Seed Conservation for Resilient Agro Ecosystems. This phase expands to 8 states, establishing Sentinel and Observatory Sites across 6 climatic zones to document, conserve, and assess the climate resilience of native seed varieties. The initiative supports farmer-conservators in maintaining over 2,500 traditional cultivars, promotes vegetable seed production for kitchen gardens, and introduces nutritional profiling of heritage varieties. The project is led by a seasoned seed expert and will train seed farmers, host seed melas, and generate policy-relevant evidence on agroecological seed systems. Through this effort, Keystone aims to scale regional seed systems, restore seed sovereignty, and strengthen India’s agroecological future in the face of climate challenges.  

LEAD ORGANISATION: Manav Vikas Sansthan 

LOCATION: Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand

Manav Vikas Sansthan promotes climate-resilient agroecology across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Meghalaya by integrating the System of Crop Intensification (SCI) with Natural Farming (NF). The initiative will engage 3,000 smallholder farmers—especially women—in adapting region-specific practices that enhance soil health, crop diversity, and nutritional security. The project will establish bio-resource centres, model farms, and Farmers’ Field Schools to facilitate training, participatory research, and knowledge exchange. In partnership with KVKs and agricultural universities, it will develop and validate flexible, climate-resilient packages of practices (PoPs). This initiative aims to restore Himalayan agroecosystems, support food sovereignty, and mainstream agroecology through evidence, policy dialogue, and community empowerment.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Panitar Pally Unnyan Samiti

LOCATION: West Bengal

Panitar Pally Unnayan Samiti (PPUS) is deepening its agroecology work in West Bengal’s Sundarbans by scaling up organic farming across three climate-vulnerable island blocks. Building on its success with 2,000 trained farmers and an established FPO, this phase focuses on complete organic conversion, expanding rice diversity blocks (RDBs), strengthening seed banks, and improving year-round food and nutritional security through land shaping, nutrition gardens, and fruit tree plantations. The initiative enhances FPO capacities, creates market linkages, and trains women and youth in sustainable farming. Through community-led action and biodiversity conservation, PPUS aims to build a climate-resilient, equitable, and food-secure agroecological system in one of India’s most ecologically fragile regions.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Paridhi 

LOCATION: Bihar

NiViM PARIDHI is spearheading an action-research initiative in 25 Gram Panchayats across Eastern Bihar to build climate-resilient, community-led solutions rooted in agroecology and local governance. Through deep engagement with indigenous, forest-dwelling, and fishing communities, the initiative supports co-creation of Panchayat-level Climate Resilience Action Plans focused on restoring commons—soil, water, forests—and reviving traditional food systems. Using participatory tools like Tola Sabhas and PRA, the project bridges communities and officials to integrate these plans into existing public programs such as MGNREGS and Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali. Women smallholder farmers and fisherfolk are central to this effort, which also documents the cultural and ecological knowledge systems that shape food and livelihood security. The initiative aims to demonstrate a scalable, community-led model for climate justice and agroecological governance. 

LEAD ORGANISATION: Pragati Abhiyan

LOCATION: Maharashtra

In the dryland districts of Arvi and Karanja in Maharashtra, Pragati Abhiyan is working with the Nandgaoli and Gowari pastoral communities to restore grasslands and secure fodder for the native Gaolao cattle—central to local agroecological farming. The initiative empowers pastoral communities to regenerate fallow and degraded lands through MGNREGS, promote community-led biodiversity governance via Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), and integrate agroecological practices like manure-based soil enrichment and revive indigenous livestock systems. By combining ecological restoration, traditional wisdom, and community stewardship, the project strengthens local food systems, enhances rural livelihoods, and offers a replicable model for ecosystem-based fodder security.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Rural Organization for Social Education (ROSE)

LOCATION: Tamil Nadu

The Rural Organization for Social Education (ROSE) is implementing a transformative initiative titled “Advancing Climate-Resilient Sustainable Farming Practices in Pudukottai District through Agroecological Pathways”. This project is designed to empower small and marginal farmers—particularly women—as well as rural youth and consumers, by promoting agroecological farming systems that ensure sustainability, resilience, and nutritional security.

Additionally, the project actively involves indigenous communities known for their seed conservation knowledge. The project is implemented with several partners, including KVK, Department of Agriculture, NABARD, LAYCOWIN Organic Farm, LEISA Network, and local educational institutions. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures technical strength, local engagement, and long-term sustainability. Through this initiative, ROSE envisions resilient, self-reliant communities engaged in eco-friendly farming, rooted in local wisdom and biodiversity. 

LEAD ORGANISATION: Sahaja Samruddha

LOCATION: Karnataka

Sahaja Samrudha is leading a soil health initiative in the rainfed regions of Karnataka’s Magadi and Shiggavi blocks. The project aims to assess soil conditions and enhance soil productivity through agroecological practices and locally available resources. It includes training programs for farmers, women, youth, and students in composting, organic soil inputs, and soil biodiversity. As part of the initiative, bioresource centres and model farms will be established, and a farmer-led soil survey will be conducted. This effort seeks to raise community awareness and build capacity to restore soil health and foster sustainable agriculture.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Sampark Samaj Sevi Sanstha

LOCATION: Madhya Pradesh 

Sampark is promoting indigenous seed-based, biodiversity-rich, and climate-resilient farming practices with 1,000 Bhil Adivasi farmers across 20 villages in Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh. Building on its pioneering work in seed conservation, the initiative will scale the use of 25–30 traditional seed varieties, supported by village-level seed groups and women-led conservator collectives. The project integrates mixed cropping, crop rotation, natural mulching, and community marketing through its existing networks. It also includes seed diversity blocks and participatory training to strengthen seed sovereignty, ecological sustainability, and local livelihoods. The initiative aims to restore traditional knowledge and build long-term resilience among small and marginal tribal farmers.

LEAD ORGANISATION: SAMVAD

LOCATION: Jharkhand 

SAMVAD is promoting agroecological farming in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district by empowering indigenous youth and smallholder farmers to lead climate-resilient agriculture. The project’s holistic approach addresses the immediate needs of food security and malnutrition by building climate-resilient agricultural systems that can withstand the harsh environmental conditions. The initiative will train 200 farmers and 10 youth leaders across 40 villages in sustainable practices such as bio-input production, seed conservation, and organic farming. Community-based Bio Input Resource Centres and women farmers’ groups will support the transition to low-input, climate-resilient farming. The project also introduces digital tools for market access and post-harvest support. By combining traditional knowledge with modern tools, the initiative empowers youth and farmers to lead agroecological transformation from the ground up.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Satvik Promoting Ecological Farming

LOCATION: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra 

Satvik Promoting Ecological Farming is leading a participatory research initiative across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra to compare the effects of chemical and non-chemical farming practices on Indian mustard. The project involves 20 farmers in on-field trials, evaluating both direct seeding and transplanting methods. Using locally available bio-inputs like Beejamrut and Jeevamrut, the research aims to assess yield, profitability, and soil health. The initiative will generate data to inform more sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly mustard cultivation. The project empowers farmers as co-researchers and seeks to promote agroecological practices at scale.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Society for Rural Education and Development (SRED)

LOCATION: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh  

SRED is working to economically empower Dalit women in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh through the creation of collective farms and agroecological model plots. The project will recover land allocated to Dalit women under land reform laws and transform it into productive, chemical-free farms cultivating millets, vegetables, and traditional crops. Women will be trained in organic farming, natural composting, seed saving, and livestock rearing. Model farms will serve as learning sites for other farmers and youth, promoting agroecology and food sovereignty. Through collective ownership, by turning neglected land into thriving, sustainable farms, the initiative builds food security and economic independence for some of the most marginalised women in rural India.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Uttaranchal Youth and Rural Development Centre (UYRDC) 

LOCATION: Uttarakhand 

Uttaranchal Youth and Rural Development Centre (UYRDC) is working with 200 marginal farmer families in Uttarakhand’s Pinder Valley to revive traditional, sustainable farming practices through agroecology. The initiative promotes natural farming, native seed revival, and integrated Agri-Horti-Livestock systems to improve nutrition, farm productivity, and ecological health. Children and women will be engaged in seed literacy and local food traditions, while farmer groups will be trained and supported with tools, resources, and institutional linkages. Through farmer clusters, model practices, and partnerships with government schemes, the project aims to build resilient, self-reliant, and ecologically balanced rural mountain communities in Uttarakhand. 

LEAD ORGANISATION: WASSAN

LOCATION: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh,West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh 

WASSAN is strengthening community-managed seed systems to revive and scale up the use of traditional crop varieties (TVs) in rainfed regions across eight states with local partners. The initiative focuses on seed mapping, participatory varietal selection, in situ conservation, and multiplication of farmer-preferred landraces, ensuring their availability through farmer organisations. The project supports agroecological transitions by building seed quality standards, training local seed producers, and promoting diversity through seed melas and crop diversity blocks. It also develops communication tools, institutional frameworks, and a support cell to scale up the ecosystem. The effort bridges farmer knowledge with scientific rigour to build climate resilience, nutritional security, and seed sovereignty.

LEAD ORGANISATION: Center for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)

LOCATION: Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu

Center for Sustainable Agriculture is strengthening open-source knowledge systems in agroecological farming by building a curated, expert-reviewed online repository of region-specific practices. Focusing on Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, the project addresses farmers’ growing dependence on unverified online content, offering reliable, community-sourced knowledge through digital platforms. It also partners with appropriate media platforms and farmer-trainers to co-create and share engaging, scientifically grounded content. By bridging the gap between research and practice, the initiative empowers farmers, youth, and consumers to adopt and support agroecological food systems.