Empowering women farmers can at the same time be beneficial for the environment. Image source: Shutterstock (#320875949)
The Swayam Shiksham Prayog (SSP), a Pune-based non-profit was selected for the 2017 Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative empowers women to farm sustainably, manage resources effectively, and create continuous income. Helping over 20,000 women farmers to act as decision-makers has already resulted in better health and food and water security for many families.
With the one-acre model, an innovative way of practising climate-resilient agriculture, the women are putting the nutritional needs of their families first, selling only the surplus in the market. This helps for times of droughts, which are common in the area.
Furthermore, SSP has created 5,500 self-help groups in which women learn to engage as farmers, entrepreneurs and leaders.
Eco-Business
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