Natural farming shown as a way for sustained income

To promote sustainable agriculture, Eluru District DPM (District Programme Manager) B. Venkatesh on Thursday (January 29) made a field visit to demonstrate natural farming practices to 47 newly selected trainee internal community resource persons (T-ICRPs) at Ankannagudem village in Pedavegi Mandal of Eluru district.

The trainees were shown an ‘Any Time Money (ATM)’ model farm practising natural farming, as well as fields cultivating dragon fruit across 10 acres, along with 18 different vegetable intercrops.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Venkatesh highlighted that the ATM model allows year-round cultivation of more than 25 crop varieties, including tuber crops, vegetables, leafy greens and aromatic plants, providing continuous harvests. He explained that this method not only ensures access to fresh and healthy vegetables for household consumption but also generates additional income of approximately ₹350 to ₹400 a day.

The DPM also demonstrated natural farming techniques used in dragon fruit cultivation, including the preparation and use of herbal decoctions and other organic crop management methods. The initiative reflects the district administration’s ongoing efforts to promote eco-friendly and income-generating agricultural practices.