KRRS embarks on co-operative natural farming to fight agrarian crisis

To turn farming into a sustainable and profitable venture, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (Collective Leadership) is all set to promote cooperative natural farming along with innovative marketing.

“As part of this experiment, five farmers from each village are registered with the Farmers Producer Organization (FPO). Nammadu To start natural farming on 20 gunta (half an acre) land as a unit. Of this, 10 guntas will be devoted to growing crops for their own families’ consumption. In the remaining 10 guntas, five farmers will have to jointly cultivate prescription crops like vegetables like vines, tubers and greens under natural farming methods to provide chemical-free food,” said KRRS leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy, who is spearheading this initiative.

via Santhes

The FPO will sell this product directly to consumers. santhes (shandies) which are already popular in Bengaluru and pass on their income to farmers. He stated that these santhes will be managed by farmers on a rotational basis.

Farmers will be trained on-site by experts in natural farming, while high-level training will be provided by Amrita Bhoomi Trust, which is dedicated to educating farmers. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

Each group of five farmers will be able to earn total income, which may vary up to ₹1 lakh per crop cycle, as per KRRS’ estimates. He said it is possible to have three product cycles per year because each cycle requires four months to complete. The five-member farmer team can earn up to ₹3 lakh a year from 10 guns if things go well.

The aim is to show that it is possible to earn good income from even a small piece of land by producing chemical-free crops and selling them directly. “We particularly insist on group farming as sharing the responsibility will reduce the burden on farmers. The aim is to create an environment of sincere cooperation rather than competition in agriculture. This also helps combat labor shortage,” he said.

Farmers will be trained on-site by experts in natural farming, while high-level training will be provided by Amrita Bhoomi Trust, which is dedicated to educating farmers.

KRRS leaders launch community natural farming initiative in Chamarajanagar District. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

MDN Idea

“This idea of ​​cooperative natural farming was espoused by my father (late Prof. Dr. Nanjundaswamy, who founded KRRS). We started the groundwork for this in Covid times and have registered around 700 farmers as members of FPO so far. We want to expand this to at least 100 villages in the near future,” he said.

He pointed out that a periodic direct marketing system has already been implemented by his organization. santhes In Bengaluru, where farmers are provided with space and facilities to sell their organic produce directly. “We now want to have more like this santheshe said.

In KK Hundi

KRRS State secretariat member and Nammadu FPO Director Manju Kiran stated that the initiative was officially launched recently at KK Hundi village in Chamarajanagar district.

“What we are trying to demonstrate now is a prototype, and it has the potential to grow to larger sizes. Our aim is to keep young farmers in agriculture and ensure that they receive affordable prices for their crops, so that they do not have to come to cities and look for ordinary work. They should be able to live a dignified life in the villages. This is also very important for food security and public health.”