Two AP Women Farmers To Represent India on Global Tour
Vijayawada: Two women farmers from Andhra Pradesh are embarking on a multi-country European tour to represent the state’s ground-breaking Community Managed Natural Farming (CMNF) program at international platforms, marking a major milestone for India’s natural farming movement.
Farmer-scientist Arika Narasamma from Durubili village in Parvathipuram Manyam district and community mentor Lalam Jyothi from Santhapalem village in Anakapalli district will lead a delegation that will tour Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Netherlands and Belgium in the coming weeks.
The delegation, which includes Yarrakonda Sudhakar from APCNF’s scientific team and Swati Renduchintala, who leads the international collaboration, will establish close relationships with universities, research institutes, policy makers and organic farmer networks across Europe.
They will share their experiences of implementing natural farming techniques that improve soil health, reduce input costs, increase biodiversity and strengthen food security in their communities.
Itineraries include attendance at Biofach, the world’s leading organic trade fair, in Germany; academic dialogues with institutions such as Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences, BFH Bern and Wageningen University; and the Weltacker Global Field Conference, focusing on women in agriculture. The delegation will also interact with European Commission officials in Brussels.
“It is a matter of great honor for the smallholder and tribal women farmers of the state to represent India on international platforms,” said T. Vijay Kumar (retd.), vice-president of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) and advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government.
“Farmers are the foundation and driving force of the natural farming movement, and their leadership on global stages reflects the strength and credibility of the program,” he said.
