Latest news with #RythuSadhikaraSamstha
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Creche-cum-women's space inaugurated at RySS
Guntur: RythuSadhikara Samstha (RySS) at its state office located in Gorantla here inaugurated its integrated crèche-cum-women's space named 'The Eco-Nest'. T Vijay Kumar, Executive Vice-Chairman inaugurated the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of nearly 200 employees. CEO of RySS B Rama Rao was also present. Eco-Nest (for the future roots) is a model Crèche-cum-Women's Space aimed at providing a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment for children (6 months to 6 years) of RySS employees. Simultaneously, it functions as a dedicated space for women employees, supporting their well-being, dignity, and active participation in the workplace. This initiative reflects RySS's commitment to fostering gender-equitable workspaces and supporting women's rights and welfare, aligned with India's statutory mandates, including Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 says requiring crèche facilities in establishments with over 50 employees, POSH Act, 2013 ensuring safe working environments and enabling grievance redressal mechanisms, Factories Act, 1948 (Section 48) mandating crèche facilities in workplaces employing more than 30 women. For working parents, especially mothers, the Eco-Nest enables post-maternity reintegration, reduces work-life conflict, and enhances morale and productivity. For the organisation, it fosters employee retention, reinforces a gender-inclusive work culture, and showcases RySS as a progressive and responsible employer. Eco-Nest integrates best practices such as combined child care and rest facilities, lactation and counselling spaces, early learning activities and storytelling for children, participatory design with employee feedback.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
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.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
This woman makes farming profitable
Vijayawada: Battula Hema Satya Venkata Lakshmi Prasanna also briefly called Hema, a woman farmer from Veerapanenigudem in Gannavaram mandal of Krishna district, never imagined that she would make farming profitable. She used to practice chemical farming once and found herself on the verge of quitting agriculture. With a mere one-acre landholding of her own and three additional acres taken on lease, she struggled to make ends meet. Her mango orchard, inherited and cultivated with chemical inputs, had been incurring loss year after year. The escalating costs of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation had pushed her into debt. It was during this time of despair that the AP Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), introduced her to a ray of hope with pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS). In 2020, Hema adopted PMDS by sowing 12 kg of Navadhanya (nine traditional grains) per acre before the monsoon. The technique was repeated each year from 2021 to 2025 by increasing the varieties of seeds up to 30. This simple yet powerful intervention transformed her soil structure, increased water holding capacity, and drastically reduced input costs. She started using bio-stimulants which include Ghana Jeevamrutham and Drava Jeevamrutham, along with botanical extracts such as Agnastram, Panchagavya and cow dung asafoetida solution. Fallen mangoes were fermented and used as a jaggery substitute in preparations of bio-stimulants and growth promoters completing the cycle of on-farm resource utilisation. The results were remarkable. With each passing year, Hema witnessed a steady rise in income. She claims: 'From Rs 1.20 lakh in 2020, my earnings soared to Rs 3 lakh in 2021, Rs 4 lakh in 2022, Rs 5 lakh in 2023, Rs 5.60 lakh in 2024, and a phenomenal Rs 10 lakh in 2025. Alongside the mango orchard, I have cultivated vegetables, leafy greens and marigold flowers.' In addition, the family now earns up to Rs 10,000 per month by selling surplus vegetables, while their two indigenous cows benefit from year-round green fodder. The natural quality of her produce created high demand in the local market. With the help of Self Help Group (SHG) members and RySS staff, she began promoting her farm products through WhatsApp groups. This direct communication led to advance bookings, particularly for her mangoes. Even government employees near the local Primary Health Centre have become regular buyers, often visiting the orchard to make purchases directly. Hema, thanks to PMDS and natural farming practice, now irrigates her orchard far less frequently even during summers because of improved soil moisture retention. The same red rocky land that once demanded excessive effort has now become fertile and manageable. Even 30-year-old mango trees are showing improved productivity. Additionally, she is earning from the sale of livestock fodder grown on her land. Today, Hema stands as a beacon of hope for many farmers in her region. Once on the brink of quitting, she is now a successful farmer and a community resource person with RySS. Her journey showcases how traditional wisdom, when combined with sustainable practices, can turn around even the most challenging agricultural situations.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Three-day training for trainers programme begins
Guntur: 'The Green Revolution addressed food security, but now the need of the hour is chemical- free safe food and sustainable income for farmers,' said Chief Executive Officer of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) B Rama Rao at the inaugural of a 3-day training of trainers (ToT) programme here on Tuesday. He emphasised that the main motto of Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) is to provide chemical-free food to consumers while improving the welfare of small and marginal farmers as well soil improvement. Highlighting the transformative impact of natural farming, he cited Socio-Economic Survey findings that show higher incomes for farmers practicing natural farming compared to conventional methods. He called for collaborative efforts between the Agriculture Department and APCNF to enable farmer transformation, especially through Village Agriculture Assistants (VAAs) who work closely at the grassroots level. He also appreciated the visionary leadership of T Vijay Kumar, executive vice-chairman of RySS, for initiating and scaling up the APCNF model across the state. Speaking at the event, Dr DV Raidu, RYSS senior consultant highlighted growing concerns such as excessive use of fertilisers and chemicals, reduced organic carbon levels in soil, and soil compaction. Venkateswara Rao, Deputy Director from the Commissionerate of Agriculture, also addressed the participants, stating that combined efforts between the Agriculture Department and RySS are essential for the successful implementation of APCNF. The training sessions are being facilitated by Chandrasekhar, Gopi Chand and Chakravarthy who are guiding participants through technical discussions, strategy planning, and real-world applications of natural farming techniques. The other senior consultants Ramachandram, Rajeswar and Ravichandra also participated.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Japan's KfW team praises natural farming practices in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: A high-level delegation from Japan KfW Development Bank, a government-owned organisation, visited natural farming fields in Bollapadu village of Vuyyuru mandal in Krishna district, on Wednesday under the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS). Director of South Asia, KfW Frankfurt Carolin Gassner, led the delegation, which included Director of KfW India Office Wolf Muth and Senior Sector Specialist Sangeeta Agarwal. The team engaged with APCNF field staff and farmers, witnessing demonstrations of natural bio-stimulants such as Beejamrutham, Ghana Jeevamrutham, Drava Jeevamrutham and botanical extracts for pest and disease management. They visited Farmer C Ram Mohan's Banana 'A' Grade Model Field and ATM (Any Time Money) model farm, located next to a conventional chemical farm owned by Amara. A comparative analysis of input costs, yield and returns was presented. A BRIX test revealed banana sap with a value of 15 in the natural farm, compared to 9 in the chemical farm.
