Agroforestry empowers smallholder farmers and indigenous communities in Kabirdham district, Central India, spanning over 200,000 hectares. Despite challenges like overgrazing, forest degradation, and water scarcity, farmers strive for ecological resilience and community prosperity. In 2019, Commonland, local government, communities, and organizations collaborated using the 4 Returns framework for sustainable development, nature conservation, and community well-being. The vision is to create empowered communities capable of sustainable land, water, and forest resource management.
Empowering smallholder farmers and indigenous communities in Central India
The Kabirdham landscape programme envisions more empowered local communities, who use their voice, skills and knowledge to improve their livelihoods and manage land, water and forest resources sustainably.
“Today, we are taking this seed of knowledge, and we have to plant it in our village and wake up others. So that everyone comes together for the protection of nature.” Village leader of Mehlighat
Pioneers in transformative restoration through the 4 Returns approach.