Rythu Sadhikara Samstha

Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Guntur is a Section 8 Company set up by Government of AP, specifically mandated to implement the natural farming programme covering 800000 farmers across all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The objectives are to promote climate resilient, chemical free, ecological agriculture across all agro climatic zones; and to provide small and marginal farmers with profitable livelihoods from agriculture. Taken up under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Paramparagath Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) and State plan with an outlay of Rs. 750 crore over a period of 5 years, RySS has also partnered with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives for setting up of its Technical Support Unit. At this critical juncture when a lot of uncertainties regarding climate change exist, natural farming can help in meeting many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP), Department of Agriculture (DoA) is implementing Natural Farming Programme, through the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), a not-for-profit organization established by GoAP. The programme has been initiated in 2015 -16 with multiple objectives of enhancing farmers’ welfare, consumer welfare and for conservation of environment. NF is a holistic alternative to the present paradigm of high cost chemical inputs-based agriculture and to address the negative and uncertain impacts of climate change. NF principles are in sync with the principles of Agro ecology, a world wide movement. Its greatest strength is that it is based on the latest scientific discoveries in Agriculture, and, at the same time it is rooted in Indian tradition. The F.A.O has as recently as April, 2018 urged all countries to move towards the adoption of Agro ecology to meet the twin goals of global food security and conservation of the environment.