Growing Together: Women Smallholders and Sustainability
Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
India
SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) has organized 2.9 million women members from 18 states across India. The majority of SEWA’s members are small and marginal farmers, who face the critical challenge of “why farmers remain hungry.” Despite women’s significant contributions to agriculture, they are often not recognized as farmers. They frequently lack visibility and access to essential resources, information, and extension services, which limits their ability to thrive. The growing threats posed by climate change further exacerbate their struggles, making the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices essential.
In response to these challenges, SEWA launched its Agricultural Campaign in 1989, with the goal of transforming farms into enterprises and empowering women farmers to become entrepreneurs. This campaign provides women with access to inputs, knowledge, and tools to implement agroecological practices such as natural farming, organic input preparation, soil and water management, farm diversification, and the cultivation of traditional, nutrient-rich crops like millets. To facilitate the widespread adoption of these practices, SEWA has also established Agri-Input Centres, ensuring that organic inputs are available even to farmers without livestock.
Additionally, SEWA runs the Clean Sky campaign to address the adverse impacts of climate change. Through these initiatives, SEWA not only strengthens the livelihoods of women farmers but also contributes to building a sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
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Capturing Agroecology in Action Video Contest
The Capturing Agroecology in Action Video Contest seeks to spotlight the transformative power of agroecology, focusing specifically on its benefits for farmers’ organizations and agricultural cooperatives. Farmers’ organizations and agricultural cooperatives play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture practices, empowering smallholder farmers, and strengthening rural communities. By showcasing real-life examples and success stories, we aim to inspire and educate audiences about the potential of agroecology to address pressing challenges such as food insecurity, environmental degradation, and rural poverty
More info at https://asiapacificfarmersforum.net/capturing-agroecology-in-action-video-contest/
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