about-us-consortium-for-agroecological-transformations

Who We Are

Working across landscapes to enable agroecological transformation at scale.

The Consortium for Agroecological Transformations (CAT) is a collaborative platform working to enable large-scale, systemic transitions to agroecological food systems in India through a landscape-based approach.

CAT brings together civil society organisations, practitioners, researchers, and funders to collectively address the ecological, social, institutional, and financial dimensions of agroecology. Rather than working through isolated projects or interventions, CAT focuses on coordinated action across landscapes to support durable and systemic transitions in food and farming systems.

CAT is founded on the conviction that agroecology when implemented at scale and grounded in place-based realities-can simultaneously address ecological degradation, rural distress, nutrition insecurity, and the climate crisis.

OUR VISION

Agroecology as a foundation for just and resilient food systems.

CAT’s long-term ambition is to enable 40 million farmers to transition toward agroecological practices that strengthen ecological integrity, farmer livelihoods, nutrition, and climate outcomes including mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

Our vision is of landscapes where farmers and communities champion agroecology at scale; where institutions and policies enable long-term transitions; and where markets and finance are aligned with outcomes that strengthen livelihoods, biodiversity, and resilience.

Our Engagement Ecosystem

Transformation emerges when diverse actors move in alignment.

Acting as an ecosystem orchestrator, CAT brings together domestic and international funders, civil society organisations, farmer groups, public agencies, and research institutions to collaboratively advance agroecological transitions.

This wider community of practitioners, organisations, and allies forms CAT Members, constituted across four key stakeholder groups:

Impactors

Impactors are the architects of change, comprising networks, champion organisations, and individuals working directly with communities. Their on-ground efforts, supported by other stakeholders, drive tangible and sustainable outcomes across landscapes.

Enablers

Enablers—including researchers, think tanks, consultancies, support organisations, governments, and thought leaders-strengthen collaboration and support the development and application of monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks for agroecology, ensuring evidence-based adaptation and continuous improvement.

Funders

Funders align long-term capital with agroecological outcomes by supporting innovation, capacity building, and coordination. Their role is critical in reducing fragmentation, leveraging resources, and enabling sustained transitions at scale.

Market Players

Market Players bridge gaps in the agroecology ecosystem by connecting consumers to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), organic retailers, and entrepreneurs. They strengthen value chains, foster cross-sector partnerships, and support informed, sustainable consumption.

OUR GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Governance and coordination

CAT’s governance is anchored by a Governing Council, which provides overall direction and stewardship, supported by a dedicated Secretariat responsible for coordination and day-to-day management.

CAT’s work is enabled through a set of Executive Boards, designed to drive action across its core domains. This organisational structure brings together diverse expertise while avoiding the concentration of authority in a single central body, allowing CAT to remain agile, collaborative, and responsive to landscape-level realities.

The Executive Boards are constituted across Finance, Policy, Markets, Implementation, Communications, and Technology. Together, they support resource mobilisation, policy alignment, market development, implementation oversight, external engagement, and the development of digital and data systems to advance CAT’s goals.

These bodies are constituted as execution functionaries rather than advisory committees, with clear responsibility for driving work, coordination, and outcomes within their respective domains.

Our Governing Council

Strategic guidance for long-term change.

CAT is guided by a Governing Board comprising individuals with experience across agroecology, development practice, policy, research, and finance. The Board provides strategic oversight and stewards CAT’s long-term vision.

Dr G V Ramanjaneyulu

Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

Lauren Baker

Deputy Director, Global Alliance for the Future of Food

Minhaj Ameen

Founder and Co-convener, Consortium for Agroecological Transformations

Rajeev Ahal

Executive Director, Himalayan Institute for Transformative Actions (HITA)

Ramanshu Ganguly

Partner & Lead: Resilience & Adaptation, Energiva Ventures

Shirish Joshi

Founder and Convener, Consortium for Agroecological Transformations

Sreedevi Lakshmi Kutty

Co-founder, Bio Basics

Vinay Jaju

Co-Founder, EarthON Foundation

Our Team - The CAT Secretariat

Coordinating people, partnerships, and purpose.

CAT is supported by a small, committed Secretariat responsible for coordination, programme management, knowledge synthesis, and engagement across partners and stakeholders.

Working closely with landscape partners, CAT Members, and the Governing Board, the Secretariat ensures coherence across strategy, implementation, and learning, while supporting adaptive and reflective ways of working.