By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 17: The North East Society for Agroecology Support (NESFAS) has been honoured as one of three global laureates of the Global Innovation Award at the World Food Forum 2025, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome.
Selected from among 360 global applicants, NESFAS received the recognition under the category ‘When Farmers Lead Innovation! 2025 Innovation Award on Farmer Field School for Sustainable Agrifood Systems’.
The award acknowledges the organisation’s Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs)—a community-driven model combining scientific and Indigenous knowledge to promote biodiversity, sustainable farming and grassroots innovation.
Representing NESFAS at the event were Founding Chairperson Phrang Roy, Executive Director Pius Ranee, Senior Programme Associate Gratia E. Dkhar, Andrea Selva from the FAO’s Indigenous Peoples team, and Consultant Bedanga Bordoloi. They were joined by Dr. Sushil Saigal, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy Centre, and Sunpreet Kaur, Programme Lead. The ALC model, developed after the Indigenous Terra Madre 2015 gathering in Shillong, which united 169 indigenous groups from 63 countries, draws from global farmer movements such as La Via Campesina.
Supported by Farmer Field School pioneer Dr. Kevin Gallagher and agroecologist Dr. Francisco Rosado May, NESFAS began establishing ALCs in collaboration with local communities.
NESFAS currently operates 100 Agroecology Learning Circles across 100 villages, engaging over 2,000 members, of whom 83% are women and youths.
Supported by REC, the World Bank and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), the initiative has upgraded 210 People’s Biodiversity Registers, developed People’s Perspective Landscape Management Plans and improved school meal programmes in 26 schools, benefiting over 1,500 children.
Twenty-one ALCs have also registered as cooperative societies, managing seed banks, Mother Earth Cafés, and local produce networks.
Meanwhile, NESFAS chairperson Nestar Kharmawphlang said the recognition affirms the global relevance of the organisation’s work.
Accepting the award, Gratia Dkhar expressed gratitude on behalf of the participating communities, stating that the honour belongs to the farmers, women and youths who sustain their lands and traditions.
