Sowing Seeds for the Future

How can we leave the earth in the best possible condition for our children? This fundamental question laid the groundwork for a week of cross-cultural exchange among 50 farmers at the Initiatives of Change Farmers Dialogue International Conference from 1 to 8 March, 2025. Taking place at Asia Plateau, an Initiatives of Change (IofC) conference center in Panchgani, India, the participants spanned the globe across six continents and 15 countries, sparking rich, multidimensional conversations around the future of agriculture.  

By envisioning a healthier world for future generations, the FDI conference focused on key themes such as transitioning to ecological farming, boosting economic viability for farmers and fostering a reverence for the earth among youth. Throughout the week, the conference emphasized the knowledge exchange of localized challenges, successes, best practices and opportunities, leveraging tours to local farms near Panchgani, while offering space in the programme for participants to showcase and educate about their regional agriculture— including olive oil production in Lebanon; challenges of climate change and market access in Cambodia; and ancestral, sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica. 

At the heart of the Farmers Dialogue International (FDI) conference was a belief that lasting change begins at the personal level. This emphasis on inner transformation as a catalyst for rural development reflects the broader mission of Initiatives of Change. ‘Holding the gathering in Asia Plateau was a huge opportunity for participants to discover the IofC roots of FDI,’ said Claude Bourdin, a founder of FDI. ‘It was an opportunity to reflect on the values and vision behind IofC and to experiment with personal reflection as a catalyst for community-level change.’ 

Participants left the conference with deeper personal inspiration, expanded global connections and new commitments to future Dialogue gatherings in Africa, India and Europe.