ACROPICS Workshop
INRAe X Gram Disha Trust X UHF Nauni
Exciting times are coming for the transformation of food systems through Agroecology!
As it expands globally to foster innovative partnerships. Maybe a unique worldwide effort, involving individuals from 4 continents, has been established to exchange ideas, connect, and cooperate on Crop Protection.
ACROPICS (Agroecological CROp Protection towards International Co-innovation dynamics and evidence of Sustainability) – an International Alliance of Gobal Research Organizations consisting of 15 partners, directed by INRAe (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment) in France, partnering and focussing on 12 local Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS). Happily, we are to say that GDT is one of the SAS.
ACROPICS, the project is funded by MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions), as part of the EU. The objective of this project is to “address the need for sustainable agricultural practices that use little to no harmful crop protection inputs via the uptake of systemic innovations in agroecological crop protection”. The results are anticipated to have a large impact since a significant portion of the work output is required to be in the public eye.
There are total of 15 participants from 10 countries, mostly academic organizations, and some other businesses. Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni is the only organisation part of the network from India, in this project. Gram Disha Trust, a SAS where the case study is being done on agroecology and natural farming practices.
A group of experienced Social Science researchers of team ACROPICS, which consists of Prof. Allison Loconto, (Deputy Director of LISIS), a team of researchers including Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhoste, and Dr. Renée van Dis is currently in Himachal Pradesh to research and collaborate on Sustainable Food Systems Platform for Natural Farming (SuSPNF), particularly the CETARA certification system for Natural Farming. Dr.Inder Dev (Director of Extention Education) of the university was the coordinator of the project, along with Prof. Subhash Sharma (Social Scientist) and a PhD student Rohit Vashisht accompanied the team. ACROPICS is expected to continue for about 4 years, concluding just before the 2030 SDG agenda.
Throughout the 20-day trip in India- Himachal, participants will be witnessing different elements including production, value chains, market connections, traceability, transparency, visits to farmers, natural farming FPCs run by smallholders. The visiting team first held a meeting with the Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan in Shimla.
This was followed with meeting the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, high end officials of the government, scientists, and Farmers. The discussions were towards introducing the purpose of the ACROPICS program and the importance of the initiatives on Agroecology by the Himachal Pradesh government.
Afterwards, they spent three days in Pangna, where they toured 2 of the Karsog Natural Farmer Producer Company (KNFPC) outlet stores at villages Balindi and Pangna, and interacted with farmers. They spent the following 3 days at Kalasan Farm, where the host, a one-star CETARA NF-certified farm (previously a 2-star, but intentionally and transparently adjusted its rating by discussing their updated techniques in response to climate change) for a workshop. The first day consisted of traveling and relaxing, while the second day started with a tour of a farm and concluded with a visit to a farmer certified by CETARA as a 3-star. While on the field trip, they were excited to discover the farm’s “practices” and understand how they uphold the principles of “Natural Farming”.
INRAe Team at Kalasan Farm
The day after, they checked out the KNFPC outlet, talked to the caretakers and small holders, and studied the market value and knowledge of natural produce. They talked about their plans for how they are collaborating with SAS (GDT), focusing on how FPOs and FPCs operate in both practice and theory. In general, the efforts made to establish FPOs/FPCs and their unique modes of operation. What are the responsibilities of farmers’ positions, and what specific instructions exist for establishing them? What are the roles and positions of farmers, and what particular guideline is there for the creation of the same?
INRAe Team at KNFPC outlet in Balindi (Karsog)
INRAe Team at KNFPC outlet in Pangna (Karsog)
At the conclusion of this discussion, all participants had an understanding of the operations of FPCs and the importance of each farmer within the organization. A Farmer Producers Company (FPC) is a company financially supported and guided by the government, with all tasks being carried out by farmers. It offers a space and platform for them to collaborate on understanding the company, the farmer, and the products, while fostering strong connections with the farmer, market, and community.
Soon after, we followed Som Krishan, one of the Board of Directors of KNFPC (currently, KNFPC has 100+ members across the whole Karsog region) and a 3-star CETARA-certified natural farmer and Master Trainer. He grows various kinds of millets and lentils ranging from pearl millets to Kodra on Natural Farming and trains people across his block.
A Field Visit to a 3-Star CETARA Farmer
Cetara certification; one of the first(s) in India, is a certification system based on the farm inputs and computer parameters provided by the researchers. The certification system is on natural farming. The criteria includes a range of question types, the farming practices available and being implemented, the specific answers that earn points, and how those points determine the star rating. This information is used by ATMA’s and other ranking systems to track farmers’ practices. ATMA acts as a facilitator at the block level, with each ATMA overseeing its own block. They are responsible for compiling databases of farmers and educating individuals about natural farming, as well as advocating for it and FPCs. FPCs, on the contrary, consist of individuals with various roles such as chairperson, CEO, Board of Directors, and Promoters, each having their individual responsibilities. Promoters are responsible for raising awareness and recruiting more farmers in the FPCs.
The Workshop:
The first-ever “ACROPICS” workshop was recently held by GDT in Kalasan Farm; a one-star certified Natural Farm of Apples. The event had 27 attendees from KNFPC, small-scale farmers, and the INRAe group. Nek Ram Sharma, who was conferred the Padma Shri recognition by the Government of India, was also present at the event.
The workshop began at 10:30 AM with a brief video of the host. The introductory session lasted for about an hour. Each of the members spoke about the variety of farm produce they grow and what particular role they play in their FPC. The opening speech was given by UHF officials Prof. Subhash Sharma and Dr. Inder Dev, followed by the INRAe Team presenting the objectives of the workshops.
The workshop was divided into 3 sessions:
Session 1: (Individual Dreams)
This session of the meeting focused on the individualistic thoughts on Natural Farming and its potential impact on the future of Himachal. The question posed was, “What do you envision for Himachal in 2030 with the implementation of Natural Farming state-wide? Come up with a slogan.”
The team handed out Post-It notes and pens to the participants, and the atmosphere was then filled with brainstorming and innovative concepts.
With more than 30 notes, there were different types of slogans, such as “प्राकृतिक खेती को अपनाएं और धरती को बचाएंI” = “prakriti kheti ko apnayen aur dharti ko bachaye” meaning “Adopt natural farming and save the earth.”, “Field with Bees” and many more. Each slogan opened up a conversation, leading to deeper discussions about the meaning behind each phrase and how they related to the goal of promoting sustainable agriculture in the region.
Following a conversation and interpretation of each point, it was determined from that meeting that the majority desired a joyful life through sustainable agriculture to improve Himachal Pradesh and create a favourable environment for upcoming generations.
Upon reading the post-it notes, they stumbled upon a negative comment about how everyone would go bankrupt, but with the statement came a discussion of difficulties faced and how they can be addressed. And instead of shutting down the conversation, participants began brainstorming potential solutions and ways to overcome these hurdles, emphasising a willingness to confront the difficulties head-on.
Session 2: Part 1 (Drawing Current Situations)
Everyone was given a sheet of paper, and by following Allison’s instructions, they were all asked to visually depict the current situation of their networks and how these networks fit into the larger audience that they engage with.
Everyone drew whatever they felt like was happening in their segment of work. Each one of them drew something different, and all of them shared their point of view. Starting from the local farmers to the government officials, all of them belonged to a different backgrounds and held different designations in society.
For example, farmers were able to show their interdependencies and spheres of influence with respect to consumers, suppliers, and local markets. Government officials expressed their role in policy-setting activities and resource distribution, indicating how such behaviour directly influences the effectiveness and sustainability of the agricultural sector and its various constituent groupings.
The participants drew and shared drawings and developed a discussion on the connectivity of their roles: farmers were pointing out how their own practices have been helped by regulations and support from governmental initiatives.
Lunch Break:
Everyone had an interesting lunch with the traditional eating style and Himachali cuisine.
Shortly thereafter, the CETARA team conducted a presentation detailing the functionality of the certification system designed. This presentation aimed to provide clarity on how the certification process operates, ensuring that all have a clear understanding of the system and its significance in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
From the presentation, they logged into their website ; SPNF , beginning with the extension officer, who was showcasing “how” the system maintains the data for them and how the whole process works. During the session, the team logged into their website using the authorised access provided to extension officers. The presentation outlined the steps involved in the certification process, starting with the selection of agricultural practices that farmers have adopted on their farms.
The extension officer, Shiwani, then explained how farmers enter information regarding the range of crops they cultivate, specifying the area of land utilised, measured in Bighas. To ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the data submitted by farmers, the process incorporates a verification mechanism. Specifically, three neighbouring farmers, are responsible for affirming the claims made by the applicant regarding their farming practices.
Following this peer-verification stage, an inspection officer is tasked with conducting a thorough inspection of the farm to assess with the established certification criteria. This multi-step process not only enhances transparency but also fosters accountability among farmers, ensuring that the certification system is both reliable and effective in promoting sustainable agriculture. The presentation concluded with a discussion on the importance of these practices.
Session 2: Part 2 (Mapping Local Food System)
After the presentation was over, there was a set of directions mentioned by the team, The host farm was to be the central point of reference in this mapping work. Around this key point, participants were to identify and label their own farms or home places, as well as the directional relationships of those farms/locations to the host farm. Each person was asked to bring up their map and interpret the same with, mostly farmers volunteering, as their connection to FPC makes their network better. These relationships have been instrumental in devising a more organised and orderly method of addressing these certification processes relative to the local food system.
Everyone else, including the officials, stated their connection to the farmers and how, with their network and furthermore, in a more “organised manner,” they handle the certification system. They described how they have recorded all the data of the farm and the inputs in their database, including the number of farmers they currently have under the certification system. It showed the demographic breakdown of farmers who are under this certification umbrella at the moment.
Session 3: (Community Vision)
Dedicated to the concept of Community Vision, farmers from a specific region were strategically grouped based on their geographical locations as depicted on a map on the board. This organisation resulted in the formation of five distinct groups, each comprising farmers who share similar environmental or socio-economic contexts.
Participants engaged in an interactive exercise designed to provoke thoughtful consideration about the particular question. Which was ; “State 2 major changes if 100% Natural Farming is practiced throughout Himachal Pradesh by 2030?”
From each group, there was a need to outline two significant changes they envisioned occurring as a result of this shift in agriculture. As the workshop rolled on, participants weren’t shy to share their input, and lively discussions were held in place, representing a wide view and aspirations that went ahead till the future. In the responses given by the groups, one thing was common: the benefits occurring from transitioning to Natural Farming.
From these discussions came the expectations of better health and well-being among the people. According to farmers, if the trend changed toward natural farming, healthy food would be available to contribute to a healthier population with minimal sick beds.
Participants also described the bounding of a healthier economy, agreeing that local agriculture would spur economic activities, create jobs, and improve rural livelihoods.
The other related result is a reduction of congestion in the hospitals. Since people were positive about the prospect of a healthy community, health services would not be stressed, and the facilities had alternative techniques on how to handle available resources. This is also linked to the prospect of Himachal Pradesh being a model state, indicating just how agriculture can be developed sustainably and act as a case to very many other regions.
Then comes the health zone, taking Himachal Pradesh to a wider context all the way to the state’s image. The participants remarked on increased tourism that would result in a pristine environment and healthy lifestyle, thus enticing people looking for retreat into this region.
Furthermore, there was a collective belief that the transition into 100% Natural Farming would mean reducing the load of ration requirements in food from neighbouring states. The shift would, therefore, be a self-sustaining agricultural framework and, translate to better resilience in food security.
The participants also recognised broad ecological benefits in terms of biodiversity increase, improved soil health, reduced chemical pollutants, and better ecological balance.
In short, Session 3 helped outline the possible options after wide-scale adoption of Natural Farming practices and increased the hopes of the farming community for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Conclusion:
The ACROPICS workshop, a collaborative initiative involving multiple international partners, aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices through agroecology and natural farming in Himachal Pradesh. The discussions and activities during the workshop highlighted the importance of community engagement, innovative certification systems, and the potential for transformative changes in local food systems by 2030. At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants had a unified understanding of the current situation, strategies to improve it, and the INRAe team’s efforts to assist by empathising with our challenges. Together, they shared a concept that empowered them to contribute more to society and the nation.