The Centre for Culture and Development (CCD) promotes sustainable livelihoods for the poor and vulnerable in rural and urban areas in the southern states of India. It was registered legally as a nonprofit, charitable organization in 1990.

Mission    

The Centre develops eco-friendly projects whose aim is to narrow the poverty gap by providing livelihood training and building the capacities of economically disadvantaged communities.

Vision

CCD is a participatory institution that works to build poverty-free, gender-balanced, equitable, ecological-sensitive, democratic, and an inclusive, just and value-based society. It involves the communities directly, encouraging freedom of expression and it offers them choices to determine their own development rather than imposing solutions from outside.

CCD Background

CCD gained experience with strengthening cultural resources when the UN and UNESCO established a world commission for culture and development in 1995, which regarded culture as the basis for all development. In addition, the field experiments also showed that development is only possible when the sustainable livelihood issues are addressed in terms food security with safety, and other productive expressions that raises the standard of living. The present condition of the poor and marginalized communities needs to be assisted by increasing the income level in order to enhance economic status. Social change the is the result of a dynamic interaction between the external factors and internal forces which both influences local reality.

Target Area and Populations

Over time, CCD plans to work in twenty-five villages. It is currently working with five villages and the following target populations.

Farmers

CCD is assisting farmers to turn back to traditional and organic methods of farming that respect the environment, promote health and guarantee food security for all. The Centre applies strategies to protect the livelihoods of farmers as well the right to food and the right to health for all.

Women

Women farmers play a key role in agriculture and have the double burden of manual labor on the farms as well as household tasks. They have the most responsibility for taking care of the cattle and maintaining the family. CCD provides training in livelihood skils, programs in income generation and capacity building. This empowers women farmers and landless laborers so that families can move out of poverty.

Children

Rural field camps will be conducted to provide opportunities for children to interact with farmers and people involved in protecting nature. School children will learn about creating organic model gardens as well as herbal gardens with the emphasis on greening their school grounds. They will be involved in creating awareness about safeguarding the environment and natural resources. School level completion programs will be organized to impart knowledge on safeguarding natural resources and flora and fauna.

Main Activities

Food security and safety: Right to Food – Right to Health

In India over 750 million people live in rural areas. Traditionally the village economy thrived because of the relationship that existed between agriculture and animal care and agro-based small enterprises with rural artisans. CCD provides training using hands-on methods through organic farming demonstration plots, relay cropping, Bio fertilizers, pesticides, soil conservation, seed preservation, water and energy management, vermi-compost, vegetable cultivation, medicinal garden, micro-irrigation techniques, and marketing strategies.

Village farmers in a group discussion during a training program conducted by CCD.

Women empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

CCD involves women farmers in decision-making and strengthens their role in farm-based livelihood activities like preparation of bio-fertilizers, production of farmyard manure, mushroom production, vermin-composting, low cost greenhouse cultivation of high value crops, kitchen gardens, medicinal gardens, and value-added agricultural products. Women also receive training in basic livelihood skills, entrepreneurial and business skills, and on-the job, apprenticeship-type training skills.

Village women training for Mushroom cultivation arranged by CCD.

Masanobu Fukuoka School of Nature and Farming

The training program, named after the great Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka, will invite youth and children to learn about the importance of protecting the environment and bio diversity with an emphasis on natural/organic farming practices. Present day school curriculum is alienating the children and youth from farming with emphasis only on urban-based career opportunities. This has a negative impact on the parents’ mindset about the rural areas and influences them to keep their children away from farming and send them to cities to seek jobs. It is important now to impart knowledge to children and youth about the importance of agriculture as part of environmental education.

Project Area Location

CCD is active in the Thirukalukundarm, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu South India.

Young student learns about organic farming.

Kancheepuram district is situated on the northeast coast of Tamil Nadu, an area that was very badly hit by the 2004 Tsunami. It is bound by the Bay of Bengal in the east, Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts in the west, Thiruvallur and Chennai districts in the north, and Villuppuram district in the south. The district has a total geographical area of 4,43,210* hectares and a coastline of 57 km.

Partnerships

Local Government bodies, Educational institutions, Susila Dharma International, and Federation of Organic Farmers.

*In India, number separators are used differently than in the West. Thus, “4,43,210” would be written “443,210” or “443.210” in the Americas, Africa or Europe.