Keynote Address
Urban and Periurban Sustainable farming Project: Looking Back, Looking around and Moving Forward
Dr. K. V. Balasubramanian
(CIKS)
cHALLENGE
While agroecological practices
must expand to cover larger areas, scaling
often comes at the cost of diminishing
human and social interactions, which are
critical for building trust and community
ownership.
Dr. Balasubramanian cited Sampradaya Ghosala, a community-led initiative that integrates traditional knowledge with
sustainable practices, demonstrating how
localized efforts can maintain social
cohesion even as they grow.
Dr. Balasubramanian’s address
underscored that agroecology’s success
in urban and peri-urban areas hinges on balancing scale with social integrity,
fostering government collaboration,
and nurturing community passion. By
learning from initiatives like Sampradaya Ghosala and prioritizing accessible knowledge, Project ARISE can bridge the gap between ecological resilience and human well-being in rapidly urbanizing landscapes.
MOVING FORWARD: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS