On #WorldRuralWomensDay, #APCNF celebrates the invaluable role of rural women in transforming agriculture and nurturing healthier communities. With the support of #APCNF, women farmers are leading the transition from chemical intensive farming to #NaturalFarming by adopting nature based practices, conserving biodiversity and restoring soil health. Beyond the fields, this transition is inspiring positive behavioural changes in their everyday lives, including greater awareness of food quality, nutrition, healthy cooking practices and the importance of safe, diverse food for their families. By embracing Natural Farming and promoting healthier food habits, rural women are contributing to resilient livelihoods, improved family well being and a more sustainable future. They are not just cultivating crops they are nurturing healthier families, strengthening communities and sowing the seeds of change for generations to come. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @FoodPlanetPrize @FCGulbenkian #WomenInAgriculture #WomenFarmers #HealthyFamilies #SustainableAgriculture #WomenEmpowerment

To strengthen preparedness against #ElNino and build climate resilient farming systems, #APCNF is distributing El Nino booklets across Andhra Pradesh as part of its comprehensive Agricultural Action Plan for September 2026–June 2027. The initiative aims to equip farmers with practical guidance on climate resilient farming practices, soil moisture conservation, crop planning, and farm management to mitigate the impacts of erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. The booklets are being released across districts by the respective District Collectors and officials, reinforcing the importance of proactive planning and Natural Farming practices to help farmers navigate climate uncertainties and safeguard their agricultural livelihoods. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @FoodPlanetPrize @FCGulbenkian #ClimateResilientAgriculture #FarmerResilience #SustainableAgriculture #PMDS #SeedPelletisation

The @CEEWIndia team visited Visakhapatnam district to understand diverse categories of #PMDS farmers and their cultivation practices under #APCNF. Through Focus Group Discussions and farmer interactions in Maddi, Palavalasa, and Tarluwada villages, the team explored farmers’ experiences with PMDS for fodder, household consumption, and marketing, while engaging with women farmers, first time adopters and non adopters. The team also observed PMDS crops on fallow lands and rainfed vegetable cultivation, interacting with partial and complete #NaturalFarming adopters as well as chemical farming practitioners. The visit provided valuable insights into PMDS adoption patterns, farmers’ experiences, and the opportunities and challenges in scaling climate resilient farming practices. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @FoodPlanetPrize @FCGulbenkian #SeedPelletisation #ClimateResilience #SustainableAgriculture

As part of a three day exposure visit to Andhra Pradesh, the@PRADAN_India team from Jharkhand visited Kothapalem village in Bondapalli Mandal, Vizianagaram district, to gain practical insights into #APCNF and understand how community mobilisation drives the adoption of #NaturalFarming. The team interacted with women’s Self Help Group leaders, SHG members, Village Organisation representatives and APCNF cadres to understand the role of community institutions in promoting Natural Farming. At the Paddy A-Grade Model, managed by Farmer Mentor Smt. Ch. Kasulamma, participants observed field level Natural Farming practices. A live demonstration of drone spraying of Palupathra Kashayam in a paddy field showcased the integration of traditional Natural Farming preparations with modern technology. The team also visited a Paddy Compact Block to understand how Natural Farming is promoted across clusters of paddy fields and explored the Any Time Money Model managed by Mentor Intern Sri Sanyasinaidu. The field exposure highlighted the importance of community participation, farmer mentorship and practical demonstrations in scaling Natural Farming. These learnings provide valuable insights for the PRADAN team to explore and adapt community led approaches in farming communities across Jharkhand. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @FoodPlanetPrize @FCGulbenkian #CommunityMobilisation #WomenInAgriculture #AgroecologicalTransformation #KnowledgeExchange #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateResilientAgriculture #PMDS #SeedPelletisation

For Bhagyamma, a single woman farmer from Besthaara Palli village, Anantapur dist farming once meant uncertain rainfed cultivation and dependence on wage labour. Through #APCNF, she discovered a new opportunity with #PMDS. On 1.5 acres, Bhagyamma sowed over 20 crop varieties using around 25 kg of seeds, including pearl millet, red gram, cowpea, castor, cluster bean and leafy greens. Seed pelletization using Ghana Jeevamrutham, clay, ash and Beejamrutham helped prepare the seeds for sowing before the rains. As the crops grew, she observed softer soil, improved rainwater infiltration and the return of earthworms. Her diverse field now provides fodder for her two buffaloes and two cows, while her main crops generated an income of ₹78,000. “There is fodder, there is income, and there is not much expense.” — Bhagyamma Her journey demonstrates how PMDS and #NaturalFarming can turn a single field into a source of food, fodder and income while supporting soil health and reducing dependence on external inputs. @vijaythallam @rajbudithi65 @AndhraPradeshCM @ap_agriculture @AgriGoI @FCGulbenkian @FoodPlanetPrize @rajbudithi65 #FarmerLed #SoilHealth #SustainableAgriculture

During his visit to Narsingolu village, Prakasam district for the distribution of Pattadar Passbooks, the Hon’ble Chief Minister @ncbn reviewed the progress of #PMDS and enquired about an innovative weed management practice using broken rice and Azolla in paddy cultivation. District Collector Sri P. Rajababu briefed the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the results of this practice, highlighting that it had been implemented across 68 acres. With 50 kg of broken rice costing ₹900, a farmer had reportedly saved approximately ₹15,000 through reduced weed management costs. Farmer's feedback on the practice has also been encouraging. Emphasising the need to document and disseminate successful agricultural innovations, the Hon’ble Chief Minister directed officials to “document the practice and its benefits” to facilitate wider knowledge sharing among farmers. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @AgriGoI @FCGulbenkian @FoodPlanetPrize #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerInnovation #SeedPelleting

P. Manasa, a 26 year old @iggaarl Farmer Scientist from R. Besthapalli village, Rompicherla mandal, Chittoor district, is demonstrating the potential of #PMDS and 365 Days Green Cover through #NaturalFarming on her 1.20 acre farm. With three years of #PMDS experience, she used 30 kg of pelletised PMDS seeds across two kits, achieving 85% uniform germination within eight days. Despite limited rainfall, she maintained the crop through irrigation twice a month and harvested the biomass for livestock fodder, generating a gross income of ₹18,580 and a net income of ₹15,380 from PMDS. Her diversified #365DGC farming system integrates black gram, cowpea, field bean, red gram, castor and biodiversity crops, alongside chilli, brinjal and cluster bean. The system is projected to generate an annual gross income of ₹1,71,350, with a cultivation cost of ₹9,000 and a net income of ₹1,62,350. Manasa’s experience highlights how #seedpelletisation, crop diversity, continuous green cover and biomass utilisation can support livestock nutrition, farm level resource recycling and multiple income streams. Her journey demonstrates the potential of Natural Farming to build climate resilient, resource efficient and economically viable farming systems. @vijaythallam @ap_agriculture @rajbudithi65 @icarindia @AgriGoI @FCGulbenkian @FoodPlanetPrize #365DaysGreenCover #FarmerScientist #WomenInAgriculture #ClimateResilientAgriculture #CropDiversification #SoilHealth #SustainableAgriculture #LivestockFodder #FarmerSuccessStory #RegenerativeAgriculture

Despite a severe 5 month dry spell during the Super #ElNino period (April–August 2026), #APCNF farmer Eragana Srinivasulu from Mahimaluru village, SPSR Nellore district, demonstrated remarkable climate resilience through 8 years of continuous #PMDS and 365 Days Green Cover practices. By adopting diversified cropping, seed pelletization, 6 ft biodiversity rich bunds, and chemical free farming, his 0.30 acre farm sustained 25 crop varieties with just 12 mm rainfall event and no further irrigation. The integrated system generated a net income of ₹20,960 from 0.30 acres (equivalent to nearly ₹70,000 per acre), while maintaining significantly lower field temperatures and higher soil moisture. This case highlights how PMDS, crop diversity, and bund plantations can help farmers withstand extreme climate conditions while ensuring livelihoods and ecological sustainability. @vijaythallam @rajbudithi65 @AndhraPradeshCM @ap_agriculture @AgriGoI @FCGulbenkian @FoodPlanetPrize @rajbudithi65 #ClimateResilience #365DaysGreenCover #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth #FarmerSuccess #ClimateSmartAgriculture #SeedPelletization