Why This Matters
Farming is culture. Without support, indigenous farmers and native crops risk disappearing, taking with them biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the food knowledge that binds communities. We exist to keep that wisdom alive and flourishing in today’s markets.
India’s agricultural landscape is rich with indigenous varieties of fruits and crops that have nourished communities for generations. Yet, with the rise of imported alternatives and commercial monocultures, these native species and the farmers who cultivate them are slowly being edged out of the market. This not only weakens biodiversity but also threatens the livelihoods of small-scale farmers whose work sustains regional ecosystems.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly 75% of the world’s crop diversity has been lost over the last century, and India is no exception. In states like West Bengal, native fruits such as local banana varieties and traditional vegetables are often overlooked in favor of mass-produced hybrids. This then creates a disconnect between producers, buyers, and the natural cycles that have long supported sustainable farming.
GrowLocal was founded to bridge this very gap by building stronger supply chains for farmers cultivating native varieties and amplifying their access to markets that recognize and reward locally rooted agriculture. Through research, awareness-building, partnerships, and outreach, this project envisions a system where farmers, corporates, and consumers can collaboratively restore balance to the agrarian ecosystem; preserving not just produce, but also India’s cultural and ecological identity.
About the Project
At its core, GrowLocal is a student-led social initiative that seeks to make the cultivation and sale of native produce both visible and viable. Beginning with surveys and on-ground research across farming communities in West Bengal, the project aims to understand what restricts farmers’ access to larger markets and how corporate personnel can play a role in reversing this trend.
The next phase involves creating realistic bridges between local producers and supermarket chains by pitching sustainable sourcing models that align ecological responsibility with consumer demand. In parallel, GrowLocal will also produce accessible resources such as a field research compilation that explores how localized supply chains can lead to long-term resilience.
Ultimately, the initiative’s approach is built on collaboration – between farmers who grow, companies that sell, and individuals who consume. By combining such data-driven work with awareness initiatives like a farmer-interview video series and guide-book for people of all ages to learn how to cultivate one’s produce in their own home, the project hopes to spark a broader cultural movement toward celebrating and sustaining India’s native agrarian heritage.
WriteLocal
Youth Leadership: Schools As Stewards
Led by student founder Yuvaan Jalan, this initiative shows how school-based programs can document heritage crops, mobilize peers, and inspire community action for conservation.
Home Growing: Start With Native Species
A practical guide for starting native fruit and herb patches at home—supporting biodiversity from the backyard while reconnecting families with regional flavors and climate-smart crops.
Case Study: Farmer-Led Sustainability
An ethnographic deep-dive into how indigenous knowledge systems guide planting, sharing, and seasonality—offering a blueprint for resilient, fair supply chains that corporations can partner with rather than replace.
Testimonial
