Shillong, Oct 16: The North East Society for Agroecology Support (NESFAS) has been named one of three global laureates of the prestigious Global Innovation Award at the World Food Forum 2025, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. Selected from a pool of 360 applicants worldwide, NESFAS was recognized under the category “When Farmers Lead Innovation! 2025 Innovation Award on Farmer Field School for Sustainable Agrifood Systems.”

The award celebrates NESFAS’ Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) — an innovative, community-led model that blends scientific and Indigenous knowledge to strengthen biodiversity, promote sustainable food production, and empower local innovation.

Representing NESFAS at the event were Bah Phrang Roy, Founding Chairperson; Pius Ranee, Executive Director; Gratia E. Dkhar, Senior Programme Associate; Andrea Selva, Assistant for Indigenous Peoples Issues, TIP; and Bedanga Bordoloi, Consultant. They were joined by Dr. Sushil Saigal, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy Centre, and Sunpreet Kaur, Programme Lead.

The ALC journey traces back to NESFAS’ early years, when Bah Phrang Roy emphasized learning from global farmers’ movements such as La Via Campesina and its Agroecology Schools. Following the Indigenous Terra Madre 2015 in Shillong — where 169 Indigenous groups from 63 countries endorsed the Shillong Declaration — NESFAS established the first ALCs with the support of Dr. Kevin Gallagher, Farmer Field School pioneer, and Dr. Francisco Rosado May of Mexico.

“This honour belongs to the 600 communities who have journeyed with NESFAS,” said Bah Phrang Roy. “When we brought Indigenous Peoples together in 2015, we dreamed of a shared path forward. Today, it’s heartening to see that dream taking shape through the very communities that inspired it.”

Reflecting on the recognition, Pius Ranee added, “We realised the world was losing not just biodiversity, but ancestral wisdom. The Agroecology Learning Circles were born as safe spaces for farmers to learn, experiment, and innovate together. Seeing this model now recognised globally is deeply rewarding.”

The ALC model promotes experiential learning and co-creation at the grassroots level. Farmers act as both learners and innovators, collaborating on soil health, crop diversity, seed preservation, nutrition, and inclusive decision-making involving women and youth.

NESFAS Chairperson Nestar Kharmawphlang said, “This recognition proves that our work is not only making a difference in India but resonating across the world.”

With support from REC, World Bank, and MBMA, NESFAS has established 100 ALCs across 100 villages, engaging over 2,000 members, 83% of whom are women and youth. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, the network has helped upgrade 210 People’s Biodiversity Registers, create People’s Perspective Landscape Management Plans, and enrich school meal programmes in 26 schools using locally grown and wild foods — benefitting over 1,500 children. Additionally, 21 ALCs have registered as cooperative societies, supporting Mother Earth Cafés, community seed banks, and local produce networks.

Dr. Sushil Saigal noted, “Community-led initiatives like the ALCs show how local food systems, livelihoods, and nature can thrive together. This global recognition strengthens our commitment to scale this impact.”

Accepting the award, Gratia Dkhar said, “We accept it with immense gratitude on behalf of our Indigenous communities, colleagues, and partners. This award belongs to the farmers, women, and youth who nurture life, land, and culture.”

She added, “ALCs demonstrate how communities can take charge of their landscapes and food systems, strengthening resilience against climate and economic shocks.”

Looking ahead, NESFAS’ Vision 2030 aims to restore 1,000 biodiverse landscapes, nourish 100,000 children through local food initiatives, create green livelihoods for 100,000 Indigenous Peoples, and empower 50,000 youth as agroecology and climate advocates.

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