.png){kind=small}
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=small}
Eco Guard Restoring the Earth Through Responsible Farming
A grassroots environmental movement to revive soil, protect water, and renew ecosystems
Environmental destruction often begins invisibly — through polluted soil, contaminated water, and toxic air. But recovery can begin just as quietly. Eco Guard is VOICE Trust’s response to decades of ecological harm caused by industrial agriculture. This program empowers rural communities to rebuild a more sustainable and just food system — one that heals the environment while securing livelihoods.
We believe that responsible, nature-based farming is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat pollution, reverse climate change, and ensure long-term food and water security.
.png)
The Environmental Crisis We Address
Conventional farming methods, heavily reliant on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have severely damaged both rural environments and community health. In Tamil Nadu and across India, we face:
-
Soil degradation from chemical use and over-farming, leading to reduced productivity
-
Groundwater pollution caused by pesticide runoff and fertilizer leaching
-
Loss of biodiversity due to monoculture cropping and forest clearance
-
Air pollution and carbon emissions from synthetic inputs and burning agricultural waste
-
Climate-related crop failures and erratic weather that farmers are ill-equipped to handle
These environmental breakdowns are not isolated. They are part of a larger ecological crisis — one that endangers food security, farmer survival, and public health.
Our Solution: Eco-Farming as Climate Action
Since 1995, VOICE Trust has worked to replace extractive agricultural practices with regenerative, environmentally responsible methods. Through Eco Guard, we support farmers in adopting approaches that protect natural resources, improve yields, and restore ecological balance.
Our eco-farming model promotes:
-
Integrated farming systems, where crops, animals, trees, and water bodies support each other naturally
-
Organic and poison-free farming, eliminating harmful chemical inputs
-
Native seeds and crop rotation, which protect biodiversity and soil fertility
-
Water conservation, using rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation
-
Low-impact pest control, relying on natural remedies rather than pesticides
-
Farmer-to-farmer learning, spreading knowledge through local networks
-
Ethical marketing, connecting producers directly with eco-conscious buyers
These practices are proven to lower costs, increase sustainability, and reduce environmental harm — while giving farmers a stable, dignified income.
Our Journey: Growing a Movement for Environmental Recovery
-
1995: VOICE Trust formally adopts Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) as a key approach for rural sustainability.
-
1999–2004: Conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) for 105 community leaders across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who then trained thousands more.
-
2000: Launched Iyarkai Velaan Inaiyam (IVI), a network of eco-farmers promoting clean agriculture. Today, IVI supports 150 active farming groups.
-
By 2021: Extended support to 3,360 women farmers in 40 districts, helping them establish climate-resilient farms and eco-enterprises.
A Living Example: Nature Wonder Organic Farm
In 2013, Mrs. A. Jecintha, Managing Trustee of VOICE Trust, earned Organic Certification from the Government of India for Nature Wonder Organic Farm in Siruganur, Trichy District. Unlike commercial farms, this space was created to demonstrate and teach ecological agriculture.
Showcases:
-
Organic cultivation techniques that restore rather than strip the soil
-
Ecosystem-based pest control, avoiding harmful chemicals
-
Composting and waste-to-nutrient systems, minimizing pollution
-
Eco-friendly processing of produce for sale or self-use
The farm serves as a practical training ground for women, students, and smallholder farmers — showing that environmental sustainability can be affordable, achievable, and life-changing.
Women Leading the Environmental Shift
Environmental sustainability and gender equity go hand in hand. With support from Benevity, VOICE Trust has helped women farmers across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry launch Eco–Enviro–Economic Enterprises — green businesses that generate income while preserving natural resources.
These women are:
-
Running pesticide-free home farms that feed their families and communities
-
Producing value-added organic products such as herbal powders, snacks, and oils
-
Introducing eco-education in schools, creating future environmental stewards
-
Promoting clean energy and waste reduction in their villages
Their leadership is reshaping how communities relate to land, food, and the future.
Impact at a Glance
-
7,800 farmers trained in ecological, chemical-free agriculture
-
Thousands of acres converted to sustainable cultivation methods
-
150+ farming groups protecting local biodiversity and clean resources
-
New climate resilience models that can adapt to unpredictable weather
These numbers reflect lives transformed and ecosystems revitalized.
Your Support Powers Environmental Change
Donor support fuels every step of this transformation. With your help, we can:
-
Train more farmers in organic and regenerative practices
-
Expand women-led eco-enterprises in underserved areas
-
Equip schools and youth groups with environmental learning tools
-
Support nature-based farming innovations that reduce emissions and waste
-
Grow our eco-farming networks across more vulnerable districts
This is not just about farming. It is about clean water, breathable air, healthy soil, and empowered communities.
Support Eco Guard. Help restore the earth through the hands of the people who live on it.