Brief History of the organization
- Green Circle Organization is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1990. It was registered with the Social Welfare Department under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Ordinance in 1994. The mandate of GCO is to work for the introduction and the promotion of sustainable and organic farming techniques and the socio-economic uplift of small and land less farmers in Pakistan. The members of GCO are basically agriculturists (farmers, agricultural researchers and scientists) and other professionals related to various fields of agriculture and directly or indirectly mainly involved in agriculture sector and possess vast experience in the field. Agriculture being their interest, they are well versed in latest research and techniques being employed in farming. Since the inception of the organization in 1990, it has been working towards the socio-economic uplift of the local rural population. During this time free medical services were provided, a stitching center for income generation purposes was established for the rural women. Horticultural training was given and other welfare activities were undertaken. Through these experience GCO has learnt that welfare oriented activities and education through advocacy is not enough to cause a fundamental and sustainable change. People believe what they see being done practically and need to be involved in the development process to effect any major change. So a small-scale working model of sustainable agriculture was established in the target area to introduce and educate the local farmers on increasing their income through adoption of modern techniques and sustainable methods of agriculture. This model is an exhibit of: cultivation of off-season alternative crops (vegetables) in heated tunnels; seedling nurseries of horticultural plants; Agro-forestry which includes border planting to conserve irrigation water through the cultivation of indigenous trees and plants; and Cultivation of indigenous fruit-bearing plants and trees. All these activities can provide the small growers, who cannot compete with the big landlords, with an alternate source of income. Furthermore this working model includes an information center on agro-forestry and sustainable agriculture where free advice and literature is available.
Organizational Vision
- GCO envisions the development of the marginalized and deprived rural communities through the sustainable development of agriculture leading to food security, and the empowerment of the people through capacity building to enable them to solve their socio-economic problems by collective action and their own participation.
Mission Statement
The mission of GCO is to:- The achievement of food security through the establishment of a sustainable and environment friendly system of agriculture in Pakistan. This system is to be based upon a synthesis/integration of the indigenous knowledge and traditional agricultural practices of local farmers and the modern and scientific methods of cultivation applicable to our part of the world.
- The empowerment of marginalized sections of the rural population through their capacity building to enable them to organize themselves into groups for collective action leading towards self-reliance and empowerment.
- the training and support of local human resources for devising and implementing development projects and programs
Objectives of GCO
GCO defines its goal as the development of the agriculture sector on provincial and national levels and the social and economic uplift of the deprived farmers and rural community through their capacity building and utilization of local resources. Hence the organization’s programs focus on:- modernizing agriculture through introduction of innovative, sustainable and environment friendly agricultural information and technology to increase yields and alleviate the poverty of the small farmers
- the socio-economic uplift of the deprived sections of the rural community specially women, without distinction of caste, religion, sex etc
- the rehabilitation and conservation of natural resources to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture.
Goals of GCO
- Socio-economic uplift of the small or land-less farmer
- Propagation of organic and sustainable agriculture methods
- Increase in yield to make the country self-sufficient in food
- conservation and the rehabilitation of the environment and increase in bio-diversity for the better food security for all the segments of population
- promotion of concept of participatory development for solution of social sector problems (health, education, sanitation etc.)
- increase in the income generation capacity of the rural women and the neglected sections of rural community
GCO’s Role
Achievements
Networking
Technology Transfer Center
News
GCO envisions the development of the marginalized and deprived rural communities through the sustainable development of agriculture leading to food security