Asia↴
Programms
The program in Asia focuses on rural development based on the situation and needs of women, indigenous peoples, landless and small farmers. It is implemented by the Network of the Future Earth’s 11 organizations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra in southern India, in Ladakh in the Himalayas in northern India and in Sri Lanka. They work with the above-mentioned groups to gain greater influence over their lives and the opportunity to exercise their rights.
The program strengthens the organization of these groups, they develop organic farming, sales, markets and participatory certification. Together, they drive issues against the state and government, such as increased support for small farmers, increased support for traditional crops and organic farming.
In order to increase self-sufficiency and sales, systems are being developed with several crops. Together, seed banks and joint preparation of different fertilizer preparations and mixtures are created to control diseases and insects. This increases control over crops and expenditure. Dependence on transnational companies decreases and thus also the risk of bankruptcy.
If you want to know more about the program, you can download a report prepared 2018-19.
Future Earth Asia Network Report (PDF)
Projects
The organizations also work on developing self-help groups. First and foremost, landless women participate in this activity. They help each other get free from usury loans and develop different businesses to earn income. They sell flowers, snacks and other goods on the market. Some open simple tea rooms, kiosks or engage in sewing.
The program also includes operations in the Nigili Mountains (which extend from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples. The right to knowledge and information is an important part of the business. They take control of traditional knowledge and disseminate information through various channels in their own languages. Development of the income-generating business is important in the villages. Processing of various products is developed as well as markets, sales chains and participatory certification.
