IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT - A CASE STUDY OF INDIGENOUS PRACTICESFROM INDIA

Indigenous people play a key role in the domestication, conservation and adaptation of genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity. Due to gradual change in lifestyle, particularly influenced by globalization and industrialization, it has been observed that the traditional knowledge and practices are being lost. This study particularly takes into account the role of women, the key stakeholders in agriculture, in an indigenous community to sustain their living through subsistence farming and improving the ecosystem through crop diversity.The study has been derived from the project being implemented by Prayatna Samiti with the support of KehitysmaayhdistysP??skyt and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland in 10 villages of Salumbar and Lasadiya blocks of Udaipur in India. The area exhibits extremely hilly terrain dominated by semiarid agro-climatic environment occupied by tropical dry deciduous forest. The major tribes dwelling in the area are Meena and Gameti. The sources of livelihood for these tribes are agriculture and animal husbandry practiced by both men and women.Interventions through trainings on minor millets and vegetable cultivation formation of Self-Help Groups(SHG) and awareness programmes have resulted in creation of grain seed banks, nutrition gardens, organic manures and green house nurseries thereby bringing reforms in traditional agriculture and ensuring food security. A total of 107 families were surveyed based on the criteria of crop production and its impact on livelihoods. Lead women members were selected as primary respondents for the FGD. Other methods included household survey, individual interviews, and field monitoring.Some of the challenges identified in the study area are existing small holder farmers who lack skills and face acute shortage of natural resources to deal with livelihoods. As the major village population working in the fields are women and thus there is a need to focus on role and challenges of women specific needs. The developmental programs must be directed to the holistic development of women with the concept of ?No-one left behind.