Current Projects

Agro-Biodiversity Conservation & Food Security

Recent introduction of high yielding variety (HYV) of food and fruit crops in Himachal Pradesh has subsequently diverted the farming systems from mixed crop cultivation to mono-crop cultivation leading to the loss of agro-biodiversity. The foremost reason of erosion in agro-biodiversity in the mountains is due to: (a) changing attitude of farmers towards fine grains, (b) supply of HVY seeds and other inputs at subsidized cost by the government, (c) attraction to maximize profits through cash crop monocultures, and (d) lack of market for produce of traditional crops. If there is little market available for traditional crops, the prices offered are unattractive to the farmers. The acreage under traditional crops has declined substantially in the last two decades. Loss of genetic diversity coupled with inequity in the society rapidly imperils the native landraces and overall sustainability of the agriculture systems in Western Himalayas. When any species or cultivar is lost the centuries old traditional knowledge about the same also disappears. It disbalances the mountain agro-ecosystem and sustainability. Western Himalayan zone of Himachal Pradesh is characterized with fragile ecosystems in which the biodiversity is critical component. When the wild biodiversity is relatively protected and preserved by creation of national parks and sanctuaries, the agro-biodiversity is left on the mercy of farmers who are in fact prone to changing economic and social environments. Insensitivity of Department of Agriculture and gross neglect by Himachal Government are impelling the rich diversity of the crops and the agro-technologies the traditional farmers practice to wipe out. This is causing incalculable harm to the local agro-ecosystems and the sustainability of farming systems. It is in the above context the conservation of agro-biodiversity and attainment of sustainability of agriculture needs urgent attention.

The activities of the project include:

a. Identification of agro-biodiverse area
b. Mapping of agro-biodiversity and screening of varieties/ cultivars of traditional crops
c. Documentation of indigenous wisdom of farmers to characterize the traits of cultivars/varieties
d. Extension and education about the agro-biodiversity conservation in-situ
e. Establishment of seed banks to preserve the gene pool ex-situ
f. Linking the traditional food produce with the market for letting the farmers obtain comparable prices of their farm produce of traditional crops

The project is currently operational in Kullu district with future possibility of extension in Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh.

For achievements of the project, please see Annual Report.
For further information, please contact the organization.

Sustainable Agriculture Development

The use of chemical inputs on a large scale in mountains of Himachal Pradesh has a variety of negative effects. Chemical fertilizers are destroying the soil structure with evidence of declining productivity, increasing health risks, loss of biodiversity on-farm, reducing food security and overall environmental damage in mountain agro-ecosystems. Monoculture is gradually taking over, which is obviously disastrous in the long-term. For example, garlic has been taking over the cereal and staple crops. The farmers who have been using chemicals for over a decade now look for alternatives of chemicals. Besides, other set of farmers want improvement of productivity of traditional cultivars they have been growing for years. The project, therefore, addresses the need of farmers to get rid of chemicals and increase productivity of diverse traditional cultivars of the crops. It invariably enhances the food security and ensures the livelihood of farmers in the long-term.

The project is currently operational in Kullu district with future possibility of extension in Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh.

For achievements of the project,
please see Annual Report.
For further information, please contact the organization.



Microcredit & Micro-Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Livelihoods

The microcredit is the main tool, which is being used by the communities to improve their economic situation and alleviate the poverty. Microcredit activities have started an institutionalization process in the villages. Under institutionalization the women address their impoverishment on priority and came forward to act for livelihoods development so that their economic empowerment can take place along with social upliftment. To achieve the results the organization goes through a cumbersome process of bringing people together. The women, usually landless and poor, are organized to form SHGs that are linked to local banks. After formation of SHGs the women groups undergo intensive training and capacity building. The microcredit activities address the following:

• Disparity in economic status of families;
• Lack of self-reliance;
• Disinterest in democratic system;
• Less mutual cooperation and coordination;
• Lack of proper information; and
• Rumors and misconceptions.

Micro credit programmes have proved to be an effective tool in freeing people from poverty and have helped to increase their participation in the economic and political processes of society. The organization embraces improving access to credit for small rural producers, landless farmers and other people with low or no income, with special attention to the needs of women and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Women are major beneficiary of micro credit the SHARA/GIT arranges from local banks. Destination of the funds primarily includes agriculture, livestock, petty trading, small craft and processing industries.

The project is currently operational in Kullu district with future possibility of extension in Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh. In Banjar and Kullu blocks, there were 50 SHGs with 642 women members in 360 villages till March 2008.

For achievements of the project, please see Annual Report.
For further information, please contact the organization.