Farmer-scientist Groups to Study Community-Managed Natural Farming Practices

On May 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday), the Agriculture Research Station in Rekulakunta will host a study on community-managed natural farming practices in Basampalli, Anantapur district, and Madakasira, Sri Sathya Sai district.

B. Sahadeva Reddy, Principal Scientist and Rekulakunta Station Head, said that the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University has picked 10 teams based on six distinct agro-climatic zones geographically, with three progressive farmers from each zone being nominated. A scientist from the nearby agriculture research station will accompany a team of three farmers.

Farmers will gain a sense of purpose and enthusiasm from these visits because they will be able to see firsthand the benefits of adopting poly cropping, pre-monsoon dry sowing, and 365 days greencover under natural farming practices that the AP Community Natural Farming- Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) advocates to farmers in the Anantapur district.

By visiting the AP Community-managed natural farming practising farmers' fields in Basampalli and Madakasira, the scientists can understand and gain knowledge on the practices and ambitions of various approaches aimed at reversing desertification based on local successes, and discuss their efficacies, he added.

Scientists nominated from the Research Stations/ KVKs/ District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre (DAATTCs) to participate in the exposure visit are B.N. Sandeep Naik, RARS Chintapalle; Ch. Sitarama Lakshmi, RARS Anakapalle; Manukonda Srinivas, RARS, Maruteru; V. Sailaja, RARS Lam; K. V. Naga Madhuri, RARS, Tirupati; Y. Satish Kumar, RARS, Nandyal; K. Phani Kumar, DAATTC, Eluru; M. Ravi Kishore, KVK, Reddipalli; E. Chandrayudu, KVK, Kalyandurg; and K. Rama Subbaih, DAATTC, Anantapur.

About Natural Farming

Natural farming is a method in which agricultural practices are guided by natural laws. This strategy works in tandem with the natural biodiversity of each farmed area, allowing the complexity of living species, both flora, and fauna, that create each ecosystem to thrive alongside food plants.