AF-EC to hold mega meet on natural farming practices

Accion Fraterna-Ecology Centre Director Y.V. Malla Reddy on Sunday stressed the urgent need to reverse soil health and take measures on a large scale to combat the effects of climate change. He said the AF-EC will hold a massive programme on Tuesday to sensitise the farmers in Anantapur district to take up natural farming.
Addressing the media on Sunday Mr. Malla Reddy said: 'Excessive use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides has compromised soil health. The Accion Fraterna-Ecology Centre has been actively working for the past five years to reverse this trend.'
He added that, 'We have been working in this direction for the past several decades by implementing the watershed programmes and have been following natural farming practices, which is promoted extensively by the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) through the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming.'
To spread the message and educate farmers, the AF-EC has been observing World Day to Combat Desertification for the past 15 years, and on Tuesday, an event will be held in with 500 farmers from the district at the RDT Inclusive High School. District Collector Vinod Kumar V, natural farming expert, farmers and officials will deliver messages on practical methods of improving soil health.
There will be 20 stalls depicting various techniques on preparing bio-fertilisers and other organic inputs. 'Demonstrations will include planting models, creating farm pond, and watering options so farmers will get a first-hand experience,' he added.
Chief Operating Officer AF-EC, J. Murali Krishna said that adopting natural farming practices was the only solution to improving public health. He appealed to farmers to attend the event on Tuesday and benefit from the experiences shared by farmers who have already adopted natural farming practices.

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