Shillong, Sept 16: The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is one of the most fragile ecosystems that is impacted severely by the climate change as well as by drastic physical interventions which are not eco- sensitive.
The region experiences frequent extreme weather events, soil erosions, landslides and earthquakes, resulting in livelihood, socio-cultural and ecological crises. The impact of climate change is further aggravated by the loss of traditional systems of natural conservation and livelihood systems.
There is a serious concern about the soil erosions, habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity, and imbalance being created between the human, animal and plant kingdoms in the region. Ecological imbalance, thus created, not only impacts the IHR, but also its foothills and flood plains.
Hence, adoption of sustainable management of the Himalayan agro-ecosystem is crucial for the sustainability of the Indian sub-continent. Given the heterogeneity and diversity of the region.
To formulate strategies for food and nutrition security in the IHR requires developing a location-specific approach that takes the ecological and environmental conditions into account and considers access to markets,information, and other institutional services.
Marketing and processing facilities for agricultural, dairy, and horticultural products need to be strengthened to reduce the huge post- harvest losses and making farming economically viable.
There is an urgent need to promote sustainable agriculture by adopting a holistic approach through judicial use of natural resources, revisiting the traditional system of conservation agriculture and use of wild plant food resources.
The Government of India taking a note of it, has adopted a number of policies and initiated many programs and schemes to address this multi-dimensional challenge.
To leverage the ongoing governmental efforts the Agroecology Himalayas Task Force’ has been established in early 2023 with the vision to advance the development of Roadmaps for Sustainable Food Systems for the Himalayan region.
Funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have been secured by the World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM – Organics International to advise governments in the region and to facilitate a multi- stakeholder process at the national level with the goal to develop and start the implementation of a roadmap for sustainable food systems, in cooperation with implementing entities.
Agroecology Himalayas Task Force seeks support from all stakeholders, particularly policymakers at various levels, to finalize a Roadmap to achieve this goal. The Regional Stakeholders’ Meet are being organised during 17-26 September 2024 at all four states to get a deeper insight into the regional priorities, challenges and opportunities.
Meghalaya The state of Meghalaya is actively working on transforming agricultural scenario into eco-friendly farming practices. this connection, Himalayan Agroecology Initiative under the aegis of Alliance, Bioversity and CIAT, New Delhi, CGIAR.
World Future Council, IFOAM- Organics International, IFAD and German Cooperation are coming together to organize a Meghalaya State Stakeholder’s Consultation Meet on 17h September, 2024 at the auditorium of College of PG Studies in Agricultural Sciences (Central Agricultural University, Imphal), Umiam, Meghalaya.
They are expecting participation of various International and National research institutions directly working for farming communities, Farmer’s Producers Companies
(FPC), agripreneurs and progressive farmers etc. The Consultative meeting will focus on how Agroecology based farming practices can transform food systems and improve overall livelihood of the farmers.
A range of topics will be discussed on natural resource management, biodiversity prospective (Agro and Soil), agro-ecological principles in Jhum farming and industrial linkages.
State Administration, scientists, forest officials, food processing departments, industry, respectively, women groups, NGOs, will put forward their issues for implementation strategies on Agoecological initiatives particularly industrial linkages. The Minister for Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Meghalaya, Shri A.L. Hek and Vice Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, Dr. Anupam Mishra will grace the occasion.
