Environment and Agriculture are the two most important priorities for the Society and the Government to ensure livelihood security and sustainability of economic development. However, the signs of climate change, global warming and resultantly the behaviour of monsoon, underline the need for an effective long-term strategy to tackle the situation and sustain the saga of India’s social & economic development.

              The farm sector in India is however undergoing a rapid transformation since the onset of economic reforms during early nineties and also by the emergence of WTO regime. On one hand we have the global opportunities knocking our doors and on the other hand we have world’s one fourth hungry to feed. But, we need to make our agriculture production environment friendly with focus on organic food, Carbon Reduction strategy and CDM. Our rural sector is also beset with a number of daunting challenges such as abject poverty, illiteracy and poor status of health, nutrition, sanitation, safe drinking water, mother & child care, roads, communication, infrastructure and income generating measures.

There is now a growing realization in Government for redefining its role and encouraging public private partnership, particularly involving NGOs in the development process. The voluntary sector in India has also risen to the challenge and is playing a dominant role in the development of the country by effectively partnering with Government and the people and in implementing various development initiatives. But in the changing scenario and fiercely demanding environment the voluntary sector will have to be more target and process oriented and work for the larger well being of the society.

To respond to the needs, CARD has been playing a pro-active role in the field of environment, agriculture and rural development, since its inception in the year 2000; and is making a small difference in its own way. I am indebted to all those who have extended their whole hearted support in realizing our objectives and converting a noble idea into a concept and finally into an institution.