NTR DC urges public to take part in nature farming initiative

NTR District Collector Dr G. Lakshmisha has urged the public to actively participate in the Nature Farming i.nitiative, emphasising its significance for human survival. He noted that NTR district leads the state in the adoption of this sustainable agricultural approach.
A workshop on the Kharif action plan for Nature Farming was conducted at the Nature Farming Project Office within the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha premises in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Resource persons, unit in-charges, model maker trainers, and other stakeholders took part in the session, where officials administered an oath of commitment to Nature Farming.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Lakshmisha highlighted the need to dispel misconceptions about Nature Farming among farmers. He urged officials to launch district-wide awareness campaigns and educate Self-Help Group (SHG) members through rallies to promote the benefits of this farming practice.
“I hold a Doctorate in Organic Farming. The excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides is causing serious harm to human health. Sustainable agricultural products can be cultivated using organic fertilisers, biological catalysts, and other natural solutions,” he stated.
Expressing confidence that natural farming would benefit farmers, he directed officials to expand Ayacut areas and conduct awareness programmes. He reiterated his vision for NTR district to set an example in Nature Farming implementation. He also referred to the Swarnandhra 2047 vision document, which prioritises Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
The workshop also featured Kalaka Mysamma, a progressive woman farmer from Battinapadu in Kanchikacherla mandal, who has been practising Nature Farming on two acres since 2018. She shared her experience of earning Rs 1.30 lakh annually by cultivating intercrops along with cotton. Her success has enabled her son to pursue higher education at IIM, while her daughters have completed degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Nursing.
The event was attended by NTR District Agriculture Officer and Nature Farming Project Manager DMF Vijaya Kumari, along with trainers D. Ravi Kumar, A. Vani, Ch. Anjireddy, P. Rajasri, V. Sindhu, and others.
_____________