Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: What are the barriers and opportunities for scientists and other knowledge holders to contribute to informing policy for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems?

Hello,
 
I would like to submit examples of Food Systems Transformation through State Government Intervention in the Himalayan Region of Himachal Pradesh India. Please note that I was personally involved with the State Government and University as a consulting designer for the architecture of the Sustainable Food Systems Platform for Natural Farming (SuSPNF) and CETARA-NF, as below. 
 
Example 1 - 
State Government official annual state Budget in 2018 of INR 25 Cr (USD 3million) for crop production transformation by smallholders from Chemical based farming to Chemical Free Natural Farming. At present there are over 100,000 farmers covered under the government scheme called Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana - PK3Y (Natural Farming Prosperous Farmer Program).
 
Reference - Department Website - https://spnfhp.nic.in/SPNF/en-IN/index.aspx 
 
Example 2 - 
Creation of Sustainable Food Systems Platform for Natural Farming (SuSPNF). This is now also in consideration at the National Level in India through the Central Government Policy Think Tank - Niti Ayog.
 
Reference - Niti Ayog Website for Himachal Pradesh Government Initiative - https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in/himachal-pradesh/ 
 
Reference - Sustainable Food Systems Platform for Natural Farming (SuSPNF) - High Level Meeting - https://naturalfarming.niti.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/International-High-Level-Workshop-on-SUSPNF.pdf
 
Example 3 - 
Creation of a Simple and Novel Certification Systems for Natural Farming - based on assessing Agro-Ecological Profile of Farmers. Freely available to farmers. Supports Natural Farmers connect to markets based on traceability and transparency. Named Certified Evaluation Tool for Agricultural Resource Analysis - Natural Farming (CETARA-NF) (Pronounced SITARA-NF - a star rating system). 
 
Currently deployed with over 18000 farmers and targeted to cover entire state and over 10,000 ha of smallholder farmers - 
 
Reference 1 - CETARA-NF https://spnfhp.in/
Reference 2 - Web walkthrough in English for Farmers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0VJEu3sD-Y
Reference 3 - Detailed Architecture Document - Handbook - https://spnfhp.in/Upload/MediaGallery/PDF/3/2023-Jan-05-18-44-47-348.pdf
 
 I hope this helps with the inputs for the consultation. Please feel free to refer back for any further details.
 
Best
Ashish Gupta