Latest news with #APCNF
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers urged to use RTI Act to access crucial agricultural information
Farmers can use the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, to access key data and services from government departments, said officials at an awareness programme held at the IDIP Hall in Eluru on Friday (August 1). The event was organised by Andhra Pradesh Community Natural Farming (APCNF), Eluru, to educate farmers on their rights and the practical applications of the RTI Act. Addressing a gathering, District Agriculture Officer Habib Basha highlighted that the RTI Act is a vital tool for promoting transparency and accountability in government. He encouraged farmers to make use of the legislation to seek essential information related to agriculture and public services. 'When farmers approach the Agriculture Department, they must be treated with respect and given clear, timely guidance,' he said. APCNF District Project Manager Venkatesh, who spoke on the importance of natural farming, emphasised its role in public health, environmental conservation and chemical-free crop production. He urged agriculture officials to spread awareness among farmers on these sustainable practices, particularly at the village level. Technical Agriculture Officer Kalimata provided a comprehensive explanation on how to file RTI requests, giving farmers a clearer understanding of how to navigate the process and benefit from it. The programme witnessed active participation from farmers across the Eluru district, along with natural farming staff. It served as a meaningful platform to build legal literacy and promote eco-friendly agricultural methods within the farming community.
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala delegation studies natural farming models in Andhra Pradesh
A 34-member delegation from Kerala, currently on a four-day training visit to Andhra Pradesh, explored natural farming practices under the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme across Guntur and Prakasam districts. The delegates, divided into two groups, visited farming models demonstrating ecological sustainability, crop diversity and community participation. In Guntur, they toured Davuluri Palem village, where officials explained to them the 'Nine Universal Principles of Natural Farming'. Farmers showcased the A-Grade Banana and ATM (Any Time Money) models, which offer continuous income. Preparation of bio-stimulants such as Beejamrutham and Dravajeevamrutham were also demonstrated, with soil data showing improved health in natural farming fields, according to a press release issued by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha on Sunday. The team also explored diversified cropping and household nutrition models before visiting the Bio-Research Centre in Bommawari Palem and interacting with women's self-help groups. In Prakasam, the second group visited sites in Maddipadu and Kothapatnam mandals. At Doddavaram, a farmer demonstrated 20 crops on 2.5 acres. Other highlights included an A-Grade Groundnut Model, orchard-based farming with 365-day green cover and dry sowing methods. The Kerala team appreciated the integrated, climate-resilient and farmer-friendly approach of APCNF, marking it as a replicable model for sustainable agriculture.
Hans India
27-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Natural farming effectively tackles climate change: Experts
Vijayawada: A four-day Natural Farming training programme began on Saturday at a private hotel in Guntur, hosted by the Centre of Natural Farming (CoNF) under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). Organised by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) in collaboration with MANAGE, Hyderabad, the programme welcomed a 34-member delegation from Kerala, including scientists from agricultural vniversities, Krishi Vigyan Kendra experts, and Farmer Mentor Trainers. T Vijay Kumar, IAS (Retd.), executive vice-chairman of RySS, said that natural farming addresses the climate crisis through 365-day green cover, multi-layer cropping, and optimised photosynthesis without synthetic chemicals. He described it as an emerging science focused on biological mediation in nutrient and water cycling, pest management, and plant physiology. S M Vijayanand, IAS (Retd.), former chief secretary of Kerala, joined virtually, affirming Kerala's commitment to sustainable, climate-resilient farming through collaborative learning. D V Raidu, IAS (Retd.), senior advisor at RySS, emphasised that year-round green cover and multi-layer cropping reduce carbon emissions, enhance soil structure, and boost biodiversity. He advocated for farmer-centric models and knowledge sharing to scale Natural Farming. The programme included a presentation on the Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) journey, showcasing improved soil organic matter, flood resilience, and sustainable crop production. Technical sessions were led by RySS experts, including Sudhakar, G R Dharmendar, K Ramachandram, and Vishy, alongside APCNF staff. The training will continue until July 29.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kerala delegation to undergo intensive training in natural farming in Andhra Pradesh
A 34-member high-level delegation from Kerala will visit Andhra Pradesh from July 26 to 29 for an intensive training programme on natural farming. The team comprises scientists from agricultural universities, experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and farmer mentor trainers. This initiative, part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), represents a significant step in fostering inter-State collaboration in sustainable agricultural practices. The training will be hosted by the Indo-German Global Academy for Agro Ecology Research and Learning (IGGAARL), recognised as a Centre of Natural Farming under the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme. IGGAARL is operated by the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, a government-supported entity promoting natural farming in Andhra Pradesh. During the programme, the Kerala delegation will receive classroom training on the core principles and practices of APCNF. They will also visit model farms and best-practice sites across Guntur and Prakasam districts, where they will engage with farmer groups, practitioners, and field facilitators who have successfully implemented natural farming methods. This visit follows an earlier exposure tour in April 2025, during which Kerala's Agriculture Minister and a team of farmers expressed strong interest in adopting APCNF models in their home state.
Hans India
30-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
AP's natural farming model expands to Lanka
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme, implemented under the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), continues to chart new milestones in transforming agriculture towards sustainability and resilience. With over 1.13 million farmers enrolled and more than 4,000 villages engaged, the APCNF has emerged as a globally recognised model for community-led, women-driven, and agroecologically sound farming. Building on this momentum and responding to growing international interest serving pilot projects in progress in Indonesia and Zambia, the RySS has facilitated a new pilot initiative in Sri Lanka starting June 26. This effort aims at supporting Sri Lanka in building trust and capacity in agroecological agriculture systems. The Sri Lanka pilot project is being implemented in collaboration with Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka's largest and most broadly embedded non-governmental community development organisation and NOW Partners, an international organisation which helps promoting natural farming, and a longstanding global ally of APCNF. The collaboration was catalysed by an exploratory visit by Sarvodaya's leadership to Andhra Pradesh in July 2023 and a subsequent farmer exposure visit in early 2025, which established a strong alignment between the APCNF approach and the aspirations of Sri Lankan farming communities. Following a feasibility assessment by the RySS technical team, a formal partnership has evolved into an operational collaboration. Sarvodaya will serve as the local implementation partner, while Luxembourg-based NOW Partners will extend global outreach and visibility for the initiative. A dedicated six-member RySS team comprising experienced technical anchors and champion farmers has been deployed in Sri Lanka, people involved in the initiative said. The team is strategically positioned in two agro-ecological zones to work intensively with five farmers in each location during the Yala (May–August) agricultural season. These farmers will be trained as local champions of natural farming. In the subsequent Maha (September–March) season, the trained farmers will mentor an additional ten farmers each, initiating a cascading, community-led model of scale and knowledge transfer. The pilot will continue through both Yala and Maha seasons until December 2026, ensuring sustained technical, logistical, and institutional support from Sarvodaya and other key organisations.
