Making Agroecology Viable for Small Farmers: Experiences from the Field

This booklet is the second in the series on small and marginal farmers in India (following Where Have all the Small Farmers Gone?) and presents the advantages of agroecological practices.

We travelled far and wide to understand how farmers are growing what they want to grow, preserving indigenous varieties of seeds, eating nutritious and healthy food, increasing the quantity of their produce and making profits by selling in markets.

The practices illustrated through these case studies are being extensively shared among farmers from across the country. These local practices are not just ways of thinking or alternatives; they are based on the specialized knowledge and practices of people and communities.

They contain insights that when appropriately applied, can help farmers and communities to promote local food, adapt better to climate change and enhance yield in a sustainable manner for smallholders to ensure food security, food sovereignty and environmental balance.