Women in India Protect Land & Foster Self-Reliance

Summary

Promote traditional farming methods to create tangible and positive changes in the natural environment. Create economic livelihood opportunities to improve lives of poor women in Bihar, India.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Greater use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and high-yielding variety seeds have led to degradation of soil and increases in the cost of farming. In Bihar, lack of opportunities at home forces men to migrate to cities for jobs, leaving their wives and children behind. Women are left to care for the family with very little income. The project will work with 300 women from poor families to adopt alternative farming methods and identify opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

How will this project solve this problem?

Organize 300 women into self-help groups to provide them a support platform; help them save, take credit for income-generation activities and build linkages with banks. Train women on sustainable agriculture and new livelihood opportunities.

Potential Long Term Impact

An improved quality of life of 300 women and their families living under marginalized circumstances in Bihar. The self-help groups provide a platform for women to be self-reliant and engage in sustainable income-generation activities.

Project Message

The vegetable seeds market is dominated by genetically modified seeds that cannot be recycled and are tasteless. Traditional seeds let me set aside whatever I want, whenever I can. My costs are lower.
- Pramila Devi, active member and advocate of traditional seeds

Additional Documentation

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

Resources