In recent months, consultations across four Indian Himalayan states—Nagaland, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh—are bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, agricultural experts, academics, the private sector, and civil society. The discussions centered on how agroecology can provide a comprehensive, multifaceted response to the region’s challenges. As part of the roadmap development process, these consultations offer critical insights into regional priorities, challenges, and opportunities, and explore ways to promote agroecological practices that can benefit local communities.

The Himalayan region, with its unique ecosystems and traditional farming systems, serves as a living model of agroecology. The consultations underscore the need for greater collaboration between India, Nepal, and Bhutan to share lessons learned, particularly in the realm of policy. Such cooperation will accelerate the shift toward resilient and sustainable agriculture, reinforcing the importance of agroecology in addressing food security and environmental sustainability in the region.

World Food Day 2024 is a powerful reminder that food systems must be transformed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. The Himalayan Agroecology Initiative is at the forefront of this transformation, with its efforts to develop agroecology roadmaps paving the way for a sustainable future in the Himalayas and beyond.