“Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.” -Vandana Shiva
FRIENDS OF NAVDANYA was created to support and expand the work of Navdanya, a women-led movement founded 30 years ago by environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva to defend seed & food sovereignty of small farmers. Central to Navdanya’s mission is the vision of an EARTH DEMOCRACY, a new agricultural & economic paradigm where seed, food & ecological justice takes precedence over profits in today’s global food system; & where economic security, biodiversity, & the mitigation of climate change are achieved via regenerative agroecology. HELP US SEED THE FUTURE FOR FARMERS & THE EARTH.
"Navdnaya is a response to the corporate takeover of seeds and lifeforms on this planet?" -Vandana Shiva
Over 30 years ago Dr. Vandana Shiva had a vision for a dusty Eucalyptus field that today has transformed into a thriving 45-acre haven of living biodiversity for organic research, international learning, farming, and seed preservation. Alongside the Navdnaya Biodiversity Research Farm in Dehradun, India, Navdnaya as an Earth community has grown into a renowned global organization and women-centered movement to ensure farmer self-reliance and seed & food sovereignty for small farmers and the world at large.
Diverse Women for Diversity: Voices of Resilience: On the Navdanya Farm in Dehradun, India, our FON team sat down with Indian women farmers and global thought leaders to hear their wisdom and experiences around food & farm knowledge, biodiversity, and climate change.
We celebrate the publication of Navdanya International’s “Biodiversity is Life: The Graphic Novel." This illustrated novel addresses the issue of biodiversity erosion and conservation. The colorful novel and important story follows a group of young people who, when brought into direct contact with local agricultural ecosystems, learn how biodiversity loss is not a distant problem, but instead has a direct impact on health and food security. READ HERE!
The Farm
Since the 1980’s, Dehradun, India has been home to the Navdanya farm and Bija Vidyapeeth/Earth University. The thriving organic farm, biodiversity research center, and seed bank welcomes farmers, students, researchers and thought leaders from all over the world to come learn and engage in nature surrounded by the Himalayas. Learn more about the Navdanya Farm
2023 in Review
LOOKING BACK: In 2023 Navdayna continued to foster its mission towards creating a more resilient and connected organic farming community throughout. The role of the female farmer, especially amidst environmental adversity. Navdanya and its network are a resilient community who, over decades, has been able to build a network of knowledge to support seed, food, and farm security. Thanks in part to donations from donors like you. Learn More Here!
The Movement
The Navdanya Movement began with a focus on seed freedom and agroecology and has expanded to include food for health, climate resilience, corporate control & economic democracy and earth democracy. It began with Navdanya in India and expanded globally with the creation of Navdanya International and the addition of Friends of Navdanya. Read More.