North East Society for Agroecology Support

The NESFAS Agroecology Learning Circles initiative focuses on strengthening indigenous communities through sustainable and innovative natural resource management. By fostering knowledge exchange and participatory learning, the program equips local farmers with agroecological practices to enhance food security, biodiversity conservation, and resilience to climate change. Implemented across multiple villages, ALCs serve as platforms for dialogue and collaboration, ensuring the preservation of traditional farming wisdom while integrating modern techniques. Through this approach, NESFAS empowers communities to lead in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

The North East Society for Agroecology Support, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Meghalaya State Biodiversity Board, initiated a project in June 2022 aimed at conserving Meghalaya's forests through participatory, gender-centric, and equitable approaches. This initiative involved strengthening 71 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across indigenous communities to develop People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). These registers document local biodiversity and traditional knowledge, facilitating sustainable resource management and safeguarding intellectual property rights. The project underscores the vital role of indigenous communities and women in biodiversity conservation, ensuring the transmission of traditional knowledge to future generations.

In 2022, the North East Society for Agroecology Support launched the Climate Resilient Village Programme to address energy challenges in Meghalaya's remote villages. The initiative focused on implementing sustainable and scalable energy solutions to enhance overall development. Notably, the programme facilitated the electrification of Nongpriang and Mynriah villages, which had been without electricity for years, by installing solar energy systems. This effort significantly improved the quality of life for residents and contributed to environmental sustainability.

The North East Society for Agroecology Support , in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), initiated the Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration Project in Meghalaya during 2021-2022. This project aimed to rejuvenate degraded lands within Indigenous territories by reviving ancestral knowledge and territorial management practices. Five communities in East Khasi Hills—Dewlieh, Nongwah, Umsawwar, Ladmawphlang, and Nongtraw—led efforts to restore ecosystems, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all species and promoting biodiversity conservation. The initiative also established "Schools of Life" to facilitate intergenerational knowledge exchange, ensuring the preservation of Indigenous wisdom for future sustainability.