Food Security in South Asia (dgAlert / IDRC-CDRI)
Food Security in South Asia: Enhancing Community Capacity to Generate Knowledge and Influence Policy
Social instability in South Asia is caused in part by food insecurity in rural communities leading to migration from rural to urban areas. Food insecurity in turn can be traced to the breakdown of biodiversity-based production systems such as mixed cropping, inter-cropping and crop rotation practices that provide diverse and seasonal food sources in difficult environments. This project seeks to improve food security and social stability by enhancing the capacity of communities to generate knowledge on biodiversity-based production systems and influence food policy. It builds on a research process initiated by the IDRC Using Agricultural Diversity Research Award Program and the policy advocacy work of non-governmental organizations in the South Asia Network for Food, Ecology and Culture.
The two networks involve development workers, policy activists and scientists in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The general approach of the project is to link policy advocacy, community capacity building and science through targeted training, strategic research, information sharing and participatory communication and dissemination. The project will train grassroots development workers, community people and government officials in food and environmental policy analysis and in the analysis of ecological and conventional agriculture. The training workshops and manuals will mobilize leading experts from the region and Canada and involve farmers directly through farmer exchanges. Building on the existing Award Program, selected studies on using agricultural diversity by farmers, grassroots development workers and scientists will be supported, monitored and shared through small grants and topical workshops. The utilization of research results will be enhanced by disseminating appropriate information and analysis through print and electronic media, film and cultural events that draw on the cultural traditions of the region. These will engage people in dialogue and generate popular discussion of food security and environmental issues.
2 Responses to Food Security in South Asia (dgAlert / IDRC-CDRI)
Eleven NGOs in two states of NE India (Manipur and Nagaland) are in the process of initiating a similar project in 50 villages( 8 districts). The project “Tribal Food and Livelihood Security through Conservation, Management & Marketing of Bio-diversity by Women Groups in North Eastern India” will look at the root causes and will attempt to address the issues of erosion of biodiversity resources, knowledge and institutions by working with tribal communities to ensure present and future food security and livelihood prosperity.
The main objectives of the project are
To build the capacity of the grass-root development agents and village women to assess, manage and market local biodiversity
To carry out participatory assessment , analysis and documentation of existing agro, forest and aquatic biodiversity in the tribal villages of NE India for enhanced biodiversity-literacy and biodiversity conservation, production and income
To augment present food security through formation and management of ‘Community Food Banks’ by women groups
To work towards future food and livelihood security through formation of ‘Community Seed Banks” and ‘Community Gene Banks’ by women groups at village and cluster levels
To enhance awareness about govt programs towards food security among communities and handhold them to monitor and access the benefits of the programs effectively.
To increase food production by participatory pure-lining of important food varieties and through inter-community germplasm exchanges
To forge market linkages and to facilitate marketing of local bio-products through branding, processing etc. by women groups
To build the capacity of the grass-root development agents and village women to assess, manage and market local biodiversity
To carry out participatory assessment , analysis and documentation of existing agro, forest and aquatic biodiversity in the tribal villages of NE India for enhanced biodiversity-literacy and biodiversity conservation, production and income
To augment present food security through formation and management of ‘Community Food Banks’ by women groups
To work towards future food and livelihood security through formation of ‘Community Seed Banks” and ‘Community Gene Banks’ by women groups at village and cluster levels
To enhance awareness about govt programs towards food security among communities and handhold them to monitor and access the benefits of the programs effectively.
To increase food production by participatory pure-lining of important food varieties and through inter-community germplasm exchanges
To forge market linkages and to facilitate marketing of local bio-products through branding, processing etc. by women groups
We would like to be informed about the process, progress and learing of your Project and will also keen to share ours.
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