Environmental conservation builds families, India

Summary

Support poor, rural women farmers in Rajasthan, India in sustainable agriculture and conservation techniques to improve the natural environment and create stable food and water sources.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Rural villages here are heavily dependent on the land for their livelihoods. The once fertile land has been eroded by commercial logging and mining, plus less predictable rainfall due to climate change. Sahyog uses the “Self-Help Group” model to organize small groups of women (who are both raising families and growing food) to work together on sustainable agricultural projects to improve crop yields and nourish the soil for future generations.

How will this project solve this problem?

Projects and training in soil and water management, small-scale irrigation, and sustainable agriculture (using local seeds, preparing organic pesticides, composting). Groups also are trained in basic accounting and leadership and management skills.

Potential Long Term Impact

Degraded land is regenerated, water resources are more secure, access to adequate food and income is increased, and marginalized communities are better prepared for climate change effects and food and water crises.

Project Message

If crops fail, peoples livelihoods are destroyed. Organic and sustainable methods Sayhog promotes are viable ways for rural communities here to reverse all the damage that has been done.
- Rajasvini Bhansali, Program Officer, IDEX

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources