Kandhamal: In a significant step towards conserving agricultural biodiversity and strengthening sustainable food systems, SWATI is promoting the rich food heritage of Kandhamal by creating awareness about forgotten foods, neglected crops and indigenous agricultural practices.
Through school-based awareness programmes, farmer and FPO capacity-building sessions, and community activities, SWATI is encouraging students, farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and community members to rediscover traditional foods and understand their importance for nutrition, livelihoods and climate resilience.
The initiative seeks to reconnect communities with locally available traditional foods and indigenous crops while encouraging their conservation and wider adoption. By strengthening local food systems, the programme also highlights the potential of traditional crops to contribute to climate-resilient agriculture, nutritional security and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Students are being encouraged to learn about their local food heritage, while farmers and FPOs are being sensitised to the importance of conserving indigenous crop varieties and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
“Protect our traditional foods today to build a healthier and more resilient tomorrow.”
The initiative reflects a growing collective effort involving schools, farmers, FPOs, development partners and community institutions to preserve Kandhamal’s agricultural heritage while building a more sustainable and nutrition-sensitive future.
From forgotten foods to future resilience, Kandhamal’s traditional food systems are emerging as an important part of the region’s sustainable development journey.
