Climate Action India Project #36187

Greater Food Security for women farmers in India

by Sophia Akash Foundation

Summary

In rural Jharkhand & Bihar, India thousands of women struggle to sustain their farming livelihoods due to poor soil fertility, water scarcity, impact of climate change, their need to first borrow and then sow, leading to poor harvests, low incomes, poor nutrition & perpetual poverty. Using climate-smart greenhouses & sustainable farming practices, they improve soil fertility, use 90% less water & produce 7 times greater harvests per acre, leading to greater nutrition, food security & incomes.

$100,000
total goal

$43,469
remaining

229
donors

2
monthly donors

16
fundraisers

6
years

Challenge

Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of the perils facing these women. Extreme heat, unseasonal rains, droughts, pests and diseases continue to wipe out their entire crops. This means that the women earn less than $2/day while investing their entire working lives in their farms. Life-long use of chemical-based fertilisers and pesticides has reduced soil fertility as well as poisoning their only water supplies, leading to seeking work in city slums & perpetual poverty.

Solution

Climate-smart greenhouses together with the training and guidance needed, enables these women to become sustainable farmers. Their crops will be safeguarded against climate change related perils, eliminate pests and diseases and replenish their soil with organic nutrients. The fertility of their soil and quality of their water supply will also improve. With more sustainable harvests, their income will also increase leading to greater financial independence and a more inclusive farming community.

Long-Term Impact

These women improve their farming skills, produce healthier crops while also safeguarding their natural resources and farming heritage. The increased income will provide for better nutrition, basic healthcare, schooling, and sanitation for their children and their families. Evidence shows that in the long run, the increased welfare of their children and their families fosters a more sustainable path out of poverty.