“Everything that we have done on forgotten food with farmers until now would not have been possible if people from different organizations didn’t believe in our mission. The Collective Action on Forgotten Foods and Crops is based on strong principles of collaboration, partnership and knowledge exchange that combines farmers’ custodianship, insights, perspectives and experiences with innovative research practices. “Innovation is a coping mechanism for small and family farmers to make their farming practices more sustainable,” Reema Nanavaty, Executive Director, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Moreover, when they share common interests and concerns, such as for their traditional foods that have fallen out of the mainstream, the recognition and respect for their values can bring transformational changes beyond their communities – to all societies. Secondly, it makes them equal partners in research along with research institutes and protagonists of development and innovation. It provides them with two types of benefits.įirstly, it contributes to greater food and nutrition security, resilience and climate adaptation. Supported by various national and international partners in India, the initiative is based on leadership, ownership and empowerment of small and marginal farmers, including women, as custodians of forgotten food, biodiversity and holders of related knowledge. Women especially are the backbone of marginal farmer households in India.Īs we celebrate the International Year of Millets, a new pilot ‘Collective Action’ stresses the role of these small farmers in agriculture, farming, and contribution to strengthened agri-food systems. AHMEDABAD, : Rather than mere recipients and beneficiaries of agricultural innovation and knowledge “transferred” by scientists, small and marginal Indian farmers, including women, must be perceived and recognized as key actors and partners in research and knowledge creation.
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