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24 March 2011
ORGANIC SOLUTIONS to HUNGER
Organic solutions to hunger: The “Organic solutions to hunger” initiative is born from our strong belief in a new paradigm of sustainable development and it involves the very core activities of Navdanya which are supported by Friends of Navdanya ‘from Seed-to-the-Table’, which includes seed saving, organic farming and promotion of fair trade.
Organic solutions to hunger directly benefits small and marginal farmers in their villages. In each unit approximately 50 farmers receive time limited training in traditional but forgotten, high yield and low cost organic farming which comprises use of compost and other organic fertilizers and Neem leaves for pesticides. This mode of farming is best suited to the Indian countryside where it results in dignified self reliant communities.
Organic Solutions to Hunger
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Purpose |
Programmatic Goal |
Activities |
Program Status |
Current Program Needs |
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1. Develop independent and sustainable livelihoods for rural farmers |
1.1 Transition farmers from chemical dependent farming to organic farming communities so to reduce indebtedness, increase income and nutritional yield for food and livelihood security 1.2 Promote fair trade and seed-to-table practices to build a local and domestic supply chain connecting rural, organic farmers to consumers |
1.1.1 Identify reliable farmer participants willing to transition to organic farming 1.1.2 Train farmers in organic farming, self-governance and democracy 1.1.3 Establish Samoohas (group) with a minimum of 7-10 trained farmers 1.1.4 Two representatives from each Samooha attend Kisan Mela at Navdanya, share best practices and troubleshoot twice yearly 1.1.5 Outreach and follow-up with farmers to monitor transition to organic farming (6x per year for first 3 years) 1.1.6 Research on yield, food security, pests issues ** 1.2.1 Identify organic products grown by farmers network to be marketed and sold by Navdanya 1.2.2 Link agricultural products to points of sale 1.2.3 Develop menu and food service establishments for organic foods (seed-to-table) |
Over 500,000 farmers in 16 states of India have been trained and transitioned to organic farming Established presence in Dilli Haat and Hauz Khaz Market for organic grains, pulse and agricultural products from network, including seed-to-table café Ongoing research and analysis demonstrating organic farming as sustainable livelihood alternative to chemical-based farming |
Financial support for coordinating staff, support staff for farmer networks, resource personnel, research and scientific support steam Training materials and workshop costs Travel and communication expenses to establish, maintain and monitor transition to organic farming Fair trade and organic certification costs |
