Improvement of food self-suffiency
India
Problem analysis
The project focused on the region of Uttarakhand, India, where the effects of climate change are becoming extremely prominent. Natural resources were polluted, and this led to the worsening of food quality and nutrition for children. 44% of the children below 6 years in Uttarakhand are undernourished.
Further, water pollution was causing children and other members of the community to become ill with diarrhoea, food poisoning and kidney failure.
Project/practice formulation
The key element of the project was the promotion of sustainable farming and an eco-friendly way of living, in full respect of the right of the child to a healthy environment. The project also led to the improvement of community members’ nutrition and health and to build capacities in the community for the participation and involvement of children and young people.
The beneficiaries of the project included 3427 children in the age group of 0 to 16 years, 600 young people in the age group of 16 to 21 years and adult members of the community. More than 300 children from 30 different villages in Uttarakhand contributed to this project.
Implementation
The project included different aspects of a focal area: farming and sustainable agriculture. Educational activities on organic farming techniques were introduced to inform the new generation of farmers on environmental sustainability. The project also involved advocacy activities in the community to raise awareness of organic farming and food security, as well as the promotion of food self-sufficiency.
Children then collaborated with members of the community, implementing CBMS (community-based monitoring system) strategies, and collected samples for water testing. Most of the water sources were contaminated with the E-coli virus. The results were shared with local leaders, community members and health professionals. Young participants also initiated different campaigns to eradicate pollution of nearby natural water sources.
Results / M&E
The project strongly contributed towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 2: To end hunger. More broadly, it is identified as a good practice as it strengthened food security in the Uttarakhand region and enhanced protection of natural water resources using a child-rights based approach.
It further successfully sensitised the community on the importance of environmental protection as well as the use of environment friendly measures for cultivation. Children, young people and community members emerged as the leaders of this project and the main drivers of its success.
