The project aims to convert post-harvest banana stem residue into valuable products, it is expected to generate substantial income for local farmers and women’s self-help groups.In a move to turn agricultural waste into a definite source of sustainable livelihood, the district administration of Anantapur has embarked on the manufacture of eco-friendly products such as hats and bags made from banana fiber.
Members of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka in collaboration with NOW Partners Foundation, tour natural farming fields in the district.A Sri Lankan delegation, on their 10-day visit to the State, visited the natural farming fields in the district on Tuesday to gain insights into the globally recognised Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) model, implemented by the State government’s Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)
Anantapur-Puttaparthi : The officials of Agriculture department on Wednesday gave pilot training in operating drones to farmers for agriculture operations in their groundnut, vegetables and others crops. In Anantapur district, 31 farmers were given training in LAM farm in Guntur district. Also, eight members from self-help groups were given training in piloting drones. Krishi Vignan Kendra in Reddipalle, Anantapur is giving the training to farmers in using drone for agriculture operations including spraying of fertilisers and pesticides. Explaining the concept of rendering drone services to farmers, district agriculture officer Uma Maheshwari told The Hans India that the pilots trained in operating the drones can acquire drones and rent their services to farmers, who require the services. The government will give 20 per cent subsidy to the drones, which costs Rs 10 lakh each.
There has been a poor demand for subsidised seeds owing to late arrival of southwest monsoon, say officials.Sporadic rains in the last two days have resulted in hectic farm activity in the undivided Kurnool and Anantapur districts. The southwest monsoon, which usually arrives on June 8, hit these districts on June 21 this year.
An unkind weather and unavailability of seeds have blighted the prospects of farmers of Anantapur this year. Located in a rain shadow, the district is known for groundnut cultivation, which covers over 75% of its cropped area. Other important crops include sunflower (6.4%), green gram (4.9%), pigeon pea (3.6%), rice (3.4%) and sorghum (2.2%), according to Agriculture department officials.
AF Ecology Centre Director Y.V. Malla Reddy says the June 17 conference will bring together farmers, scientists, and officials to discuss climate-resilient agriculture in drought-hit Anantapur.The Accion Fraterna-Ecology Centre in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, will hold a one-day conference and exhibition on “Drought, Climate Change and Experiences of Natural Farming Farmers” on Wednesday (June 17, 2026), marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
Andhra Pradesh, also known as the `rice bowl of India’, is one of the largest states in the country, where more than 60% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The state is divided into six agro-climatic zones making it conducive to growing a wide range of crops throughout the year such as rice, cotton, groundnuts, pulses, oilseeds, and coarse grains. It has been one of the front-runners in reaping the benefits of the green revolution (1960s) and the first state in India to create the necessary infrastructure to facilitate direct benefit transfer of subsidies in agriculture including fertilizers, power supply, credit, irrigation, and farm machinery, among others. However, several technological, environmental and policy- related challenges exist such as huge dependence on monsoons, overutilization of chemical inputs affecting soil health, liberal power and irrigation subsidies (See below note #1) causing overexploitation of groundwater and limited public sector investment limiting agriculture growth in the state. Taking note of the need for sustainable agriculture, the state government of AP launched Zero Budget Natural Farming in 2016 as an alternative to chemical-based and capital-intensive agriculture, through its implementing agency Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS). This scheme was later renamed as Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF). The CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology conducted a context assessment of the state of agroecology in the chosen project sites in Andhra Pradesh, also called Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs). In India, the initiative has chosen to establish two ALLs in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh – a state with a well-established natural farming system. Within the district, the mandals (sub-district units) of Tadipatri and Bathalpalli were chosen for establishing ALLs. Context assessment was conducted in partnership with Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) and with support from RySS. The aim of the context assessment exercise for the ALLs is to understand the environmental, social, economic, and political fabric of the region, and the status of agroecology (FAO) (See below note #2) especially given a system of natural farming already in place. This assessment is majorly conducted using secondary sources such as national and state policy documents, census datasets to study district profiles, APCNF project updates and supplemented using primary data collection during our interaction with key stakeholders including farmers during field visits and focus group discussions.
