Why Sustainable Agriculture Matters
Small and marginal farmers—particularly women—are at the forefront of managing India’s food systems but face growing challenges: declining soil health, climate variability, increasing input costs, and insecure land access. In such contexts, promoting sustainable agriculture is not just about improving yields, it's about ensuring food security, economic dignity, and ecological balance for future generations. Utthan recognises that a transition toward sustainable, climate-resilient farming must be led by those most affected: women farmers and their communities.

 

Our Approach
Utthan works to strengthen the leadership of women in agriculture through a holistic, ecosystem-based approach. We promote agroecological farming practices, secure land rights, and build access to resources and markets—anchored in local knowledge and collective action. Our model enables women to move from being invisible labourers to recognised cultivators, planners, and entrepreneurs. We integrate practice, rights, and systems change—linking farm-level shifts to broader institutional and policy spaces.

 

What We Do
Utthan strengthens women’s leadership in agriculture by training Krushi Sakhis who promotes sustainable, climate-resilient practices through peer learning. It supports diversified farming, organic inputs, and water-efficient methods, especially in challenging agro-climatic zones. Through Swa Bhoomi Kendras, women gain land rights and farmer recognition, enabling access to credit and schemes. The initiative also links women to government programs, seed systems, markets, and cooperatives, while promoting local, women-managed seed and input networks that foster self-reliance.

 

Impact Highlights (2023–24) 

• 5000+ women farmers supported across 29 villages under the sustainable agriculture programme.
• 3289 acres transitioned to sustainable agricultural practices.
• 2813 women farmers adopted at least 6 of the 7 promoted sustainable practices.
• 3346 women successfully reduced input costs by shifting to eco-friendly practices.
• 808 women supported in securing land rights through Swa Bhoomi Kendras.

Facilitated:

• 1466 applications for various agri-allied government schemes.
• 248 individual applications for water augmentation.
• 23 village-level applications for new ponds and desilting works.