About Us

MAJOR TRUST OBJECTIVES

About Us

To be a charitable public organisation that promotes agroecology, craft and culture primarily in, but not restricted to, the Himalayan region

To help build sustainable food systems with a thrust on marketing and involving end-to-end supply chains from farm-to-fork as well as backward linkages (in the form of inputs to farmers) and forward linkages (in the form of value addition of the agricultural produce)

To offer assistance to farmers, particularly women and geriatric farmers, on the various technical aspects of organic agriculture, financial issues around farming (like credit, insurance, etc) and other aspects of agri-management (like forming collectives for business, eco-tourism, etc)

To promote activities allied with sustainable agriculture (such as biomass management, water management, non-timber forest produce, animal husbandry, agri-equipment, seed banks etc) and indigenous peoples (such as their livelihoods, arts,crafts, transhumance and pastoralism)

To promote activities associated with indigenous, heirloom, folk seed and planting material conservation, multiplication, breeding, distribution, marketing among farmers.

To promote collectives of smallholders, crafts persons, rural art and cultural performers and create avenues for a positive impact on their livelihoods.

To promote activities to alleviate the conditions of hunger and malnutrition among people and animals.

To promote natural and earth building systems to help lower costs and enhance skills of rural masons, using traditional and contemporary architecture.

To help preserve literature, folk culture, language and music of the rural areas.

To undertake activities and create opportunities such that all of the above are accessible to children wishing to learn about their culture and assist rural youth to engage in meaningful associated livelihood programs.

Gram Disha Trust

Message

Empowering Smallholders and Sustaining Himalayan Communities

ram Disha Trust was officiated in November 2019, but founding trustees who have been working in the field of Sustainable Agriculture and Smallholder Producer welfare for over a decade.

The vision of our trust is for Creating Sustainable Value for Smallholders in India and Himalayan Ecosystems.

MESSAGE FROM FARMER TO FARMERS

“Farming as a profession is uniquely distinct from others. Access to services of various professions is required with a lesser frequencies e.g. the services of a doctor or a lawyer, whereas the services of the farmers are required for every meal we have, every day of our lives.” — Message from Ashish Gupta

Building Sustainable Food Systems

We strive to develop sustainable food systems by emphasizing end-to-end supply chains, encompassing the entire journey from farm-to-fork. We are committed to supporting marketing efforts and establishing backward linkages by providing essential inputs to farmers.

Supporting Farmers and Agri-Management

Our aim is to provide comprehensive assistance to farmers, with a particular focus on empowering women and elderly farmers. We offer guidance on various technical aspects of organic agriculture, address financial matters related to farming (such as credit and insurance), and provide expertise in agri-management.

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Indigenous Peoples

We actively promote activities associated with sustainable agriculture, such as biomass and water management, non-timber forest produce, animal husbandry, agri-equipment, and seed banks. Furthermore, we are dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods, arts, crafts, transhumance, and pastoralism of indigenous communities.

Empowering Smallholders and Rural Artisans

We strongly believe in the power of collectives. By supporting and promoting the formation of smallholder collectives, as well as fostering the growth of craftspeople and rural art and cultural performers, we aim to positively impact their livelihoods.

Our Key Aspects:

Empowering Communities, Cultivating Sustainability: Our Commitment in Action

Promoting Agroecology, Craft, and Culture: We are dedicated to fostering agroecology, craft, and culture, with a primary focus on the Himalayan region. We strive to preserve and promote the rich heritage and traditions associated with these aspects.

Building Sustainable Food Systems: Our organization works towards establishing sustainable food systems by emphasizing end-to-end supply chains, from farm-to-fork. We actively engage in marketing efforts and facilitate both backward linkages (providing inputs to farmers) and forward linkages (value addition to agricultural produce).

Supporting Farmers and Agri-Management: We provide vital assistance to farmers, with a special focus on women and geriatric farmers. This includes guidance on technical aspects of organic agriculture, addressing financial matters related to farming (such as credit and insurance), and offering support in agri-management. We encourage the formation of collectives for business ventures and eco-tourism.

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Indigenous Peoples: Our organization promotes activities aligned with sustainable agriculture, such as biomass and water management, non-timber forest produce, animal husbandry, agri-equipment, and seed banks. We also prioritize the livelihoods, arts, crafts, transhumance, and pastoralism of indigenous communities.

Conservation of Indigenous Planting Materials: We actively work towards the conservation, multiplication, breeding, distribution, and marketing of indigenous, heirloom, and folk seeds and planting materials. Our efforts aim to preserve biodiversity and traditional agricultural practices among farmers.

Empowering Smallholders and Rural Artisans: We strive to create collectives of smallholders, craftspeople, and rural art and cultural performers. Through these collectives, we provide avenues for positive impact and sustainable livelihoods, supporting the economic and social well-being of these individuals.

Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition: We undertake activities to alleviate the conditions of hunger and malnutrition, working towards food security and improved nutrition for both people and animals.

Promoting Natural and Earth Building Systems: Our organization advocates for the use of natural and earth building systems to lower costs and enhance the skills of rural masons. We combine traditional and contemporary architecture to preserve local knowledge and promote sustainable construction practices.

Preserving Rural Literature, Culture, and Music: We are committed to the preservation of rural literature, folk culture, language, and music. Our efforts aim to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of rural areas.