​Farmers for 30×30 is a pilot ecosystem restoration initiative that emerged from a simple but often overlooked question: how can farmers meaningfully participate in biodiversity conservation without compromising their livelihoods? The project is rooted in the recognition that large portions of agricultural landscapes contain marginal, degraded, or low-yield areas that no longer serve productive farming purposes, yet hold significant potential for ecological recovery.

The pilot site at Lakhasar, Chhattisgarh was selected following on-ground observations of prolonged overgrazing, invasive species dominance, and declining soil health across specific sections of active farmland. These areas were contributing little to agricultural output while continuing to degrade local ecological functions such as water retention, habitat connectivity, and soil stability. Rather than removing land from farming entirely, the project focused on strategically restoring only these degraded parcels, allowing farmers to remain primary landholders and decision-makers.

Working directly with participating farmers and local village institutions, the project explored how native tree and wetland restoration could coexist alongside ongoing agricultural use. Restoration efforts were designed to be low-cost, locally appropriate, and reversible, reducing perceived risk for farmers. By aligning ecological restoration with long-term farm resilience—such as improved soil structure, pollinator presence, and water regulation—the initiative sought to demonstrate that biodiversity conservation can function as a complementary land-use strategy rather than an external imposition.
Beyond the pilot site, Farmers for 30×30 is intended as a proof of concept for a scalable, farmer-led restoration framework. The project contributes to global biodiversity targets under the 30×30 commitment while remaining grounded in the realities of rural land use, governance, and livelihoods.