People’s consultation on agroecology, climate adaptation concludes in Jorhat

GUWAHATI, October 2, 2026 — A two-day People’s Consultation on Agroecology & Climate Adaptation concluded here on Wednesday, bringing together more than 20 NGOs and civil society organisations from across Assam, besides farmers, women’s groups, indigenous community representatives, environmentalists, academics and development practitioners.

Organised by Jorhat-based grassroots organisation North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) at Hotel Skyline, the consultation focused on agroecology, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, climate risks, disaster preparedness, indigenous knowledge and community-led adaptation.

Technical sessions, panel discussions and community-level sharing examined climate vulnerability in Assam, flood management, locally led humanitarian response, water governance, indigenous seed conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Participants also shared experiences of changing climate conditions, traditional farming, biodiversity conservation and the role of women and youth in building resilient communities.

NEADS Director Tirtha Prasad Saikia said climate solutions must involve communities and recognise the knowledge already held by Assam’s farmers and indigenous communities.

“Our task is to recognise and strengthen this knowledge through science, policy and institutional support, and put communities at the centre of climate action.”

The consultation also discussed Government-NGO coordination and Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.

Participants proposed a Civil Society Declaration on Agroecology & Climate Adaptation and a policy brief to consolidate recommendations on climate-resilient livelihoods, biodiversity, indigenous seed systems, community-led adaptation and stronger collaboration among civil society, communities, researchers and government institutions.

The consultation concluded with a call for continued collective action towards farmer-led, biodiversity-rich and climate-resilient food systems in Assam.