Some of the preliminary findings are as below.

Positive initiatives in increasing trend: A number of encouraging and positive initiatives were observed during the journey. These were led by individual farmers, farmers groups (including women farmers groups), cooperatives and local governments to promote organic and agroecological farming. The initiatives ranged from efforts on individual farms to group farming and contract farming as well as policy formulation by the local governments. Awareness about the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and imported seeds is growing. Notable efforts include the promotion of indigenous crops, local seed preservation and exchange, preparation of bio pesticides and manures have been seen.

Excessive dependency: Farmers are highly dependent on imported fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, tools and technologies. This dependency is leading to loss of agrobiodiversity and local seeds at threatening level. Farmers have lost their traditional seed system and are dependent on imported seeds from outside including unregistered seeds, reducing farmer’s control over seeds and sovereignty.

Pesticide use and soil health: Excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, along with the promotion of monoculture has led to decline in soil fertility and dying of soil. Pulses and oilseeds are facing a crisis. Despite bans, farmers continue to use highly toxic pesticides. This highlights the urgent need of stricter oversight of agrovets and suppliers.

Alarming public health concerns: Driven by profit and commercialisation, the haphazard use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and hormone has not only increased cost of farming but also triggered serious public health concerns. There is an increase in non-communicable diseases, disabilities and mental health issues among farmers.

Towards alternatives: Both consumers and producers are beginning to realise that the current practices are contributing to environmental crises especially on human and soil health. There is growing demand for sustainable and nature-based alternatives for which there should be more research, development and dissemination.

Effectiveness of government’s program and subsidies: There is need for rigorous monitoring and timely evaluation on the effectiveness of government’s services and subsidies to ensure it reaches to genuine farmers. Its time to reflect and revisit these to move beyond distribution focused and ineffective approaches. Likewise, dualism in policies and priorities such as subsidising both chemical and organic fertilisers are escalating the crisis.

Education and Research: Students and academics have expressed concern over the disconnect between curricula and the ground reality they encounter in the field/community. There is significant lack of focus on organic agriculture.

Environmental challenges: Farmers are increasingly experiencing the visible impacts of climate change, such as the new pests, diseases, and invasive weeds.