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In India, Good Health Starts in the Soil
Daily by midmorning, Hemalatha T felt completely drained, as if every ounce of energy had been zapped, leaving her weak and enveloped in gloom. She was frustrated by her deteriorating health and the constant trips to the hospital. Initially, she blamed the changing weather, but eventually, she discovered the real culprit: the chemical-laden food she had been consuming. This realization was part of what prompted Hemalatha, a farmer from Dhavuluripalem in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh in India, to shift from conventional farming to natural farming.
To make the switch, Hemalatha participated in a natural farming training program through Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF). A sustainable agriculture program initiated by the state of Andhra Pradesh, APCNF seeks to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, encouraging farmers to adopt locally sourced, environmentally friendly techniques to improve soil health, boost crop yields and enhance farmers’ livelihoods. The initiative emphasizes the use of natural inputs, crop diversification and water conservation to develop a more resilient and eco-friendly farming system.
Community members learn about natural farming and the importance of health, nutrition and hygiene. Courtesy of APCNF
“Soil is the foundation of nutrition” is the motto that underpins the health and nutrition programs at APCNF, which is run by the government-supported nonprofit Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS). Such programs, which can significantly improve physical and mental health, cognitive development, economic opportunities and general well-being, aren’t just about adopting natural farming techniques. The goal is to nudge the consumption behavior of households more broadly, with the hope that the produce that comes from natural farming will lead to improved plate diversity — that is, healthier and more varied diets.
APCNF’s work includes individual and community-based nutrition gardens, backyard chicken coops and fisheries, and nutrition field schools like the one that Hemalatha attended, which educate communities about the benefits of natural farming and to teach the importance of health, nutrition and hygiene.
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