Authors: Sarah Sahlaney and Chandi Guntupalli At Groundswell International, we often talk about how our network builds farmer self-reliance. In an increasingly interconnected world, why does this matter for farmers, their families, and communities? Recent news, and Usha's story, show why self-reliance is such a valuable goal. Throughout April and May, ships carrying hundreds of tons of chemical fertilizers sat in the Gulf of Hormuz, unable to reach their final … [Read more...] about As Fertilizer Prices Rise, Agroecology Offers a More Resilient Path for Farmers
Agroecology
Groundswell International’s 2025 Annual Report: How 270,000+ Farmers are Building a Climate-Resilient Future
We are living through a period of converging crises: climate, economic, social, and political. Climate shocks have intensified, food prices and malnutrition are on the rise, conflicts are disrupting millions of livelihoods, and international aid has been slashed. Meanwhile, the industrial food system continues to fuel the climate crisis, concentrate wealth in the hands of a few, lock farmers into dependency on external inputs, and degrade the ecosystems we depend on. Yet … [Read more...] about Groundswell International’s 2025 Annual Report: How 270,000+ Farmers are Building a Climate-Resilient Future
Forming the Future Foundation of Agroecology and Food Sovereignty in West Africa
West Africa is one of the youngest regions in the world, with people under 35 making up the majority of the population. Yet across much of the region, agriculture, the sector that sustains millions of livelihoods, remains difficult for young people to enter as independent producers. The conditions required to qualify as an independent farmer include access to and ownership of land, control over labor, family dynamics, and the funds required for farming. This overall capital is far above the … [Read more...] about Forming the Future Foundation of Agroecology and Food Sovereignty in West Africa
Agroecology vs Regenerative Agriculture, Permaculture & Organic Farming: A Comparative Guide
If you’ve read about sustainable food systems, you’ve likely seen the terms agroecology, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, and permaculture. These approaches often overlap, using practices like composting, intercropping, cover cropping, and limiting synthetic chemicals. They all emerged as alternatives to industrial agriculture, striving to grow food in ways that respect both people and nature. However, each one has its own focus, values, and limitations. Understanding those differences … [Read more...] about Agroecology vs Regenerative Agriculture, Permaculture & Organic Farming: A Comparative Guide
The Women Farmers Reviving Unused Land in Nepal with Agroecology
Radhika Mahato is a smallholder farmer in Sarlahi, Nepal. For years, she farmed the way most people around her did: one crop at a time, with chemical pesticides from the local shop, and she would buy most vegetables at the market. Most farming decisions were made by male family members, and she used to travel a long way to her field to farm every day. That started to change when she joined hands-on training sessions run by our local partner RWUA (Rural Women's Upliftment Association). The … [Read more...] about The Women Farmers Reviving Unused Land in Nepal with Agroecology
Joining Forces to Support Resilient Food Systems in Haiti: Acceso, PDL & Groundswell International’s Partnership
With the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Groundswell International, Partenariat pour le Développement Local (PDL), and Acceso, have been working on a 3-year program (April 2024 - March 2027) to strengthen connections between smallholder agroecological farmers and local market access in Haiti. The program is one of the initiatives of the Haiti Food System Alliance (HFSA), a network of 15 organizations working to transform Haiti's food systems. Together, we are producing results that … [Read more...] about Joining Forces to Support Resilient Food Systems in Haiti: Acceso, PDL & Groundswell International’s Partnership