This Acorn project, run by our partners IORA Ecological Solutions in India, is currently supporting over 14,000 smallholder farmers in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya, located in northeastern India, is home to approximately 2.97 million people, with a remarkable tribal majority, comprising 86.15% of the population. The three primary tribes—Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia —dominate the demographic landscape. Unfortunately, 27.79% of the population remains below the poverty line. Furthermore, smallholder farmers in the area are combatting soil degradation and deforestation, as a result of agricultural expansion, population growth, and climate change.
Meghalaya is a matrilineal society where traditionally the youngest daughter inherits land and ownership remains in the name of the women. The nokma’s (village heads) in Garo hills are also women, and have traditionally had a vital role, being responsible for distributing land to villagers and providing directions according to Garo customary laws. Additionally, as with other Indigenous communities, women in Meghalaya as well have traditionally been custodians of natural resources. Here, while both women and men are actively involved in agriculture and farming activities, it is women who are known to spend more time in the woods and are the main providers of fuelwood, food, medicinal and Non-Timber Forest Products.
The region is home to diverse native flora, including orchids, bamboo, and living root bridges, while its forests house a variety of wildlife like clouded leopards, Asian elephants, and various bird species, contributing to its ecological significance.
IORA is a leading environmental advisory firm in India, with expertise in natural resource conservation, climate change migitation and adaptation. For over 14 years, IORA has committed to developing and implementing nature climate solutions, having successfully implemented over 150 projects. They have built cross-sector alliances with governments, NGOs, corporates and multilateral organizations to tackle complex environmental challenges. For the Acorn project, IORA is collaborating with the MBDA (Meghalaya Basin Development Authority) and the state forest department to carry out on-ground implementation of the agroforestry project, such as establishing seed banks and nurseries.
This Acorn project will utilize traditional knowledge of the local community for conservation of forest resources. By supporting smallholder farmers to plant timber trees among their cash crops (mainly turmeric, maize, and ginger), large-scale adoption of agroforestry is made possible. This enables farmers to diversify their income developing resilience against climate risks (and market risks), creating long-term benefits for both their livelihood and their environment. Through agroforestry interventions, the Acorn project also aims to rejuvenate unproductive barren land, contribute to a local ecosystem that retains rain for ground water and springs.
The project has already undertaken the following activities:
Click the links below to download the project's certification documents.
