“The trainings informed me
how to carry out participatory, farm-level research on adaptation to climate
change. We learnt about arid-area crops, drought-resistant varieties of crops,
adapting the timings of farm operations to weather conditions, and efficient
irrigation technologies. I am now engaged in trials and conducting experiments
on suitable crops that would help farmers reduce risk of crop failures due to
climate change. We farmers now perceive agriculture as a profitable venture” -
says Nirmal Chand of Khinang Village, Himachal Pradesh, India. Pragya has been
implementing a programme to address food security in the Himalayas using a
three-pronged approach: (1) climate adaptation and farm productivity
enhancement, (2) improving post-harvest facilities and market linkages for
income enhancement, and (3) improving household nutrition. New crops /
practices suitable for the changing agro-climate were tested in 10
farm-research plots in the Indian Himalayas by Pragya in collaboration with
Farmer Expert Groups (FEG) formed in the districts. Potential cash crops,
stress tolerant varieties and crops with high nutritive value were trialled and
preliminary results have been shared by the Farmer Experts with other farmers.
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