No One Shall Be Left Behind Initiative
The REC-funded “No One Shall be Left Behind” initiative by NESFAS was a follow-up to the International Mei-Ramew held in Shillong in November 2015. It was developed through interaction with communities in Nagaland and Meghalaya and the technical support provided by Bah Phrang Roy, Founding Chairperson, NESFAS, and his international associates.
The overall goal of this project was to enhance Indigenous Food Systems to significantly contribute to improved nutrition, food security, and sustainable livelihoods of about 3000 households in 130 remote indigenous communities of Meghalaya and Nagaland with a focus on adolescent girls, school children, youths, women’s groups, and community elders. The project also had the unique aspect of promoting community seed banks for locals, the mapping of nutrient-rich and climate-resilient local species, advocacy of increasing the dietary diversity and “eat traditional” approach to food consumption, and promotion of innovation and capacity building at the community level. The project won the best indigenous peoples project for the year 2021 awarded by UN-IFAD.
Project Outputs:
• Production of Micro-nutrient rich and climate resilient species increased by 30%
• Consumption of Micro-nutrient rich and climate Resilient species increased by 30%
• The average income of about 1000 community Members increased by 20-30%
• Pilot initiatives of renewable energy for Improved rural community wellbeing.
During the course of the project, NESFAS and its partner organisations- NEN, SURE and SSC- have been able to bring increased awareness and appreciation about the importance of agrobiodiversity for securing food, health and livelihood of the community. The COVID-19 pandemic did bring a disruption to the activities but it also brought opportunities for NESFAS to reiterate the project goals. The goals of the project have been proven to be very relevant in this environment of uncertainty and NESFAS has used the project to intensify its advocacy. NESFAS, along with the partners, have also been able to achieve the targets that had been set out in the beginning of the project. It has in the process enhanced and strengthened the initiatives so that people are empowered and can continue to live in harmony with nature while living a healthy and prosperous life, the importance of which this COVID-19 pandemic has strongly brought about.