Utthan wins Gujarat govt’s climate change award 2024-25 for women-led climate-resilient agriculture

By A Representative

Utthan, a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities, has been awarded the prestigious First Prize in the Climate Change Award 2024–25 by the Climate Change Department, Government of Gujarat. The award, which includes a prize of ₹1 lakh, recognizes Utthan’s transformative work in empowering small and marginal women farmers through climate-resilient agricultural practices.

The organization has successfully transitioned 5,000 women farmers to sustainable farming methods and brought 3,300 acres under climate-resilient practices.

Over 99% of participating farmers have adopted eco-friendly techniques like seed treatment, bio-inputs, water-saving technologies, and agroforestry. Additionally, input costs have been reduced for more than 80% of farmers, while the initiative has also fostered climate entrepreneurs producing bio-inputs and offering tool rental services.

Utthan’s initiative aligns with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the National Action Plan on Climate Change, and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The organization’s Socio-Technical Innovation Bundles model has been documented by the International Rice Research Institute as a replicable approach for women’s empowerment and ecological sustainability.

The project not only strengthens climate resilience but also promotes gender justice by placing women at the forefront of sustainable solutions. It has enhanced food security, regenerated natural resources, and boosted rural incomes while building social capital.

“This award belongs to every resilient woman farmer transforming Gujarat’s fields with wisdom, courage, and sustainability. We thank our peer organizations, ICAR institutions, and government partners for championing gender-inclusive climate resilience with us,” said Team Utthan.

Established in 1981, Utthan works across six districts in Gujarat, impacting over 1.2 million individuals through gender-just and climate-conscious interventions in areas like sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and natural resource management.

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