Swayam Shikshan Prayog Groots International & Huairou Commission Women’s Groups Lead Food Security & Build Resilience Godavari Dange Sakhi Federation Swayam Shikshan Prayog India Groots International & Huairou Commission

Background SSP & Sakhi Federations of self help groups have over 75,000 members in 3 climate prone states in India and With growing food, environment and climate crises, 3000 women supported by Huairou Commission & Govt of Norway have gained control over 3000 acres of rain fed land to grow food secure crops

Women are NOT Farmers Not part of decision making in agriculture Expected to meet growing food & nutrition needs Cut off from new technology in agriculture Neglected by Govt agriculture and extension programs

Mapping Risk Women do not have rights to land, Male controlled agriculture has driven farming away from food secure crops to cash crops Women are workers on their land NOT FARMERS

Women Organise … Women form farming groups tohelp each other to plant, till and harvest Use traditional knowledge to produce traditional seeds, bio-compost Plant cereals/ pulses as diversified crops for food security Adopt mixed farming for improved food security Monitor soil and water to improve efficient use Promote self reliance for low-cost agricultural inputs through collective purchase, local production of seeds, bio-compost, and adoption of drip irrigation techniques Facilitate access to better nutrition through the creation of village markets vegetable /herbal home gardens and education Establish and expand marketing strategies and linkages

Initiatives Collective investment in leasing of land to cultivate vegetables Demonstrating collective farming to convert the uncultivated waste land into cultivated land and to generate income for landless women. Practicing innovative ideas on agriculture land to improve the crop productivity and reduce costs –water efficiency, local seeds, collective sharing of labour, local seeds , bio-compost, and planting of trees Network of women farmers – to share knowledge on local seeds, inputs and access to markets Creating village markets and vegetable /herbal home gardens Local partnership with agriculture depts for soil testing, seed, agriculture inputs and training to reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture, land and crops.

Impact Access to over 1000 ++ acres of land for experimentation by women Improved status of women in families and in agriculture decision making Increased awareness for women’s groups on the food and environmental crisis Launching of low input/organic vegetable farming ( where there was none ) Self reliance through collective purchase for agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides Demonstration of organic farming methods and seed-banks, start vegetable production enterprises through Community Resilience Fund Learning Network of leaders with vital expertise on innovations in farming & scaling up Plans to scale-up to launch 6000 women as farmers groups by 2015

Bringing resources to grassroots Bridged gap on technical inputs and brought research from lab to farm Employment guarantee programs to build water harvesting/ conservation structures Subsidies on agricultural implements Extension training, women’s groups funded for study tours ,exposure visits to National research fairs

Recommendations Increase rural women’s participation and representation in planning and decision making at all levels Investment in Social and Financial Services for Grassroots Women through individual and collective loans, to better meet personal and household needs and improve access to markets and economic opportunities Develop and Enforce Legal Framework for Equality in Land - enforcement of good laws and effective promotion of justice within the community. Invest in Basic Services, Infrastructure and Markets such as child care support, primary care and reproductive health services, safe water and sanitation, and infrastructure Increase support for Upscaling Productivity and Innovation - Improve women’s access to farming technology and increase education opportunities for women through training, vocational skills and entrepreneurship programs.

Shifting the Axis Empower women to view themselves as farmers, innovators and resource persons in farming Provide for improved livelihoods/incomes and ensure household food security through small holder farming As experts on converting small land holdings into productive land through low input eco efficient farming As innovators and resource persons running farmer field schools for climate adaptive techniques such as resistant crops, pest control,local seed production, production of bio compost, organic farming, reforestation etc

WE CALL FOR ….. Women need access to land to drive food security Women as farmers for access to finance, training and markets for their produce Funds to demonstrate, learn and scale their practice & networks

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