Wayanad is a district in the north-east state of Kerala. It’s a largely rural area, surrounded by national forests and wildlife refuges. Though the region has gained traction as an ecotourism destination in recent years, the communities there remain largely undeveloped. Agriculture is the backbone of the Wayanad economy. According to one recent study, more than 90% of the residents there depend on agricultural activity to earn a living. Farmers in Wayanad face
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Two years ago, I stumbled out of the Bangalore airport in the middle of the night. Gilgy, my colleague and someone I now consider my brother, met me and we drove the ten hours back to Prasanthagiri village. Upon arrival, we scaled the steep hill to my new home. Gilgy trekked up with ease, even whilst holding my 50 pound suitcase on his head. I, in my white sneakers, immediately slipped on the rocks and
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For the past 6 years, Profugo’s Organic Kitchen Garden (OKG) has been providing a crucial program to support and empower local farmers. Marginal farmers in Wayanad face ongoing farming challenges, such as climate change, flooding, high input costs, poor productivity, and low market prices. In addition, many farmers still use pesticides, in spite of its detrimental health effects. We aim to create awareness surrounding organic farming and mobilize members at a community level. With monsoons
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It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every individual in the world in some way; the loss of loved ones, having to learn and work remotely, and not being able to family or friends, just to name a few. These repercussions of the contagious virus have turned many lives upside down. No one could have prepared for suddenly being quarantined and restricted indefinitely from seeing the people they love. No
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Vaccines are becoming easier and easier to find in the United States, but there is a widening disparity of vaccinated citizens between the developed and developing world. While close to 50% of the United State’s population is vaccinated, some countries are hovering around 1% vaccinated with little to no increases in daily doses. The West has greater access to the procedures, funds, and means of production to provide their populations with the ability to get
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