Iowa State University/University of Agricultural Sciences
The Next Generation: Developing India's Institutional Capacity to Confront Agriculture's 21st Century Challenges by Linking Grassroots Success to National Agricultural Policy Reform
State:
Iowa
Country:
India
Award Date:
2004
Award Amount:
$299,963.00
Cost Share:
$137,769.00
Other Partners:
Institute for Social and Economic Change
The partners are seeking to offer alternative approaches to traditional, heavily subsidized grain production and to provide local farmers, educators, and legislators with new farming models that can ultimately ensure the future of India’s sustainable agriculture. Agricultural specialists from the partnership will work on two research teams 1) to study alternative local models and 2) to work with community leaders in two villages near the University of Agricultural Sciences in the state of Karnataka to implement alternative methods of sustainable agriculture and improved marketing strategies. By examining different models of agricultural innovation and community development, the partners will accumulate the knowledge needed to develop new, more relevant curricula and extension services. The research teams will present their case studies to agricultural leaders at a state-level workshop, and demonstrate how other towns in Karnataka can benefit. The partners will then conduct a final, national-level conference to present policy makers, government representatives, NGO representatives, and agricultural leaders with lessons learned and best-case practices.