The Consortium for Agroecological Transformation (CAT) organised the fifth Consortium for Agroecological Transformations of its North-East Chapter in Guwahati, Assam on January 23 and 24, 2025. The event was organised as part of a national initiative to scale up farmer-centric, landscape-based agroecology transitions in partnership with India Climate Collaborative, Bharat Agroecology Fund, North-East Network (NEN), NESFAS, SeSTA, Farm to Food, C-GEM, and the Better Life Foundation.
A press release informed that over 70 participants from diverse backgrounds, representing states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura participated in the two-day convening to discuss revitalizing agroecology with a focus on indigenous stewardship, food sovereignty, and resilient futures.
The convening explored several key themes, such as landscape-level agroecological models, youth involvement in agroecology, local governance for driving transformation, assessment tools for agroecology, natural resource conservation in the current extractive paradigm, and market connections for the economic sustainability of agroecological enterprises. The participants included agroecology practitioners, civil society leaders, NGOs, state government official, and donors.
Minhaj Ameen, from the Bharat Agroecology Fund, said, “CAT is a collaborative platform that brings together diverse stakeholders across the agricultural value chain in India. Our aim is to transition towards agroecology at a mass scale in India.”
Shirish Joshi, an independent expert shared about the importance of landscape-level agroecological models. We need to provide a level playing field to farmers engaged in agroecological farming approaches like organic and natural farming. For agroecology-based farming to become a profitable business for the farmer, it will be necessary to operate at a certain scale where multiple actors in the value chain could play their parts profitably say Joshi.
B.K. Sohliya, Executive Advisor and Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission, expressed the commission’s commitment to improve the livelihoods of farmers in Meghalaya. Agroecology is the need of the hour, and we will provide all possible support to farmers. We are also open to providing support to other states as well.
Amba Jamir, a policy expert based in Nagaland, called for a shift in national agricultural policies: “This convening has made it very clear that a paradigm shift is needed for agroecology-based food and natural resource management systems. However, despite its benefits, agroecology remains neglected in our national policies. The government, therefore, must recognize the importance of agroecology and prioritize its development in national policies.”
Gratia E. Dkhar, from NESFAS in Shillong, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “Participating in this Regional Convening of the Consortium for Agroecology Transformation enables grassroots organizations like ours to collectively champion communities, nature, and climate, grounded in respect for biodiversity and the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. The Consortium has provided us with a valuable platform to connect with like-minded organizations, explore scalable models, and foster collaboration.”
Deep Jyoti Sonu Brahma, from Farm2Food Foundation Assam, emphasized the role of youth in agroecology: “North East Region has close to 1% of the youth population but contributes almost 50% of the total unemployed youth in the country. On the other hand, North East Region is witnessing food system challenges, including the climate crisis. The time has come for us to stop looking at young people merely as consumers or beneficiaries. We should create space for them to co-lead in finding, co-creating, and collaborating for agroecology transformation.”
Kapil Shah, founder of Jatan Trust in Gujarat, highlighted the potential of the Northeast in promoting agroecology: “The Northeast can contribute significantly to teaching others about agroecology. Organic farming has come a long way in the last four decades. The plane of agroecology is on the runway, and it is time to fly.”
Sethrichem Sangtam, Founder of Better Life Foundation, Nagaland, called for a farmer-centered approach to policymaking: “The Northeast region boasts a diverse agro-ecological landscape. We urge policymakers and donors to see through a ‘farmer’s lens’ for pro-farmer policies. We want our Northeast to reclaim its food sovereignty through the promotion of natural farming practices.”
Satyendra Madhab Mahanta, from Vidhi Analytica, spoke on the importance of incorporating practical, time-tested knowledge into policy frameworks. Farmers’ traditional knowledge and good agricultural practices must be highlighted and incorporated into policy frameworks, where suggestions from the common man, such as practical knowledge from farmers, can be heard rather than relying solely on top-down think tanks.
Dimpy, a young student from Jorhat, Assam, shared her perspective on youth involvement: “Youth have so many innovative ideas and skills, and through these, they can bring positive changes in the agriculture sector. However, currently, youths are facing challenges, and agroecology should be made more attractive for them, so they can promote traditional agricultural practices, local food, and uncultivated plants.”
CAT plans to establish three agroecological transformation landscapes in different parts of India to strengthen farmer-centric, landscape-based approaches. These models will incorporate ecosystem-level support services and agencies necessary for agroecological transformation, ensuring long-term sustainability through collaboration with diverse stakeholders.