In India, a grassroots movement focused on agroecological farming is spreading fast. In Karnataka's southern state, the natural farming methods were adopted first by tens, hundreds, and now hundreds of thousands of farmers across India. So, what is so special about it?

The natural methods have spread with support from the Andhra Pradesh Community Natural Farming (APCNF) program, a state government's farming initiative with FAO's technical expertise. The program encourages farming without chemicals, instead of using locally-made, botanical pesticides, and innovative cultivation methods that naturally prevent pest and disease outbreaks. These methods have enabled farmers to drastically cut production costs and help end the debt cycle that they often get stuck in when relying on expensive chemical pesticides and fertilizers. 

Kakani Sivannarayana used to farm only bananas on his plot of land. Prioritizing the most profitable crop was the only way he could afford the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 

However, these expensive chemical products harm the land and depleting the soil nutrients and microbiological diversity, like useful bacteria and fungi. Over time, this made the land less productive, meaning declining yields for Kakani. 

When he heard about agroecological farming from neighboring farmers, he believed that transitioning to a more natural farming system was worth a shot.

Thanks to Kakani and other pioneers like him spreading this natural solution, smallholder farmers spend less in input costs, get higher yields, and more sustainable farming conditions, not to mention chemical-free food for consumers. Promoting natural practices paves the way for a more sustainable agricultural sector, changing our planet for the better.