The initiative is located in the Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With a tropical climate, Chittoor is one of the most drought prone districts in the country, a problem exacerbated by depletion of natural resources, global warming, increasing population pressure, pollution, loss of biodiversity and extinction of key species.

Small-scale and marginal farmers in the district are disproportionately vulnerable to the severity of extreme climate events. More than 90% of the farmers own less than two hectares of land and live and work in a fragile ecosystem.

Renuka Bio Farms (RBF) was established in 2005 to restore a 20 acre degraded patch of land in Routhsurmala village of Tottembedu block. Since that time the initiative has gradually expanded and successfully used eco-restoration practices to create a productive agroecological production system on 1,000 acres.

The initiative is supported by a team with expertise in agroecological farming, and demonstrates a balance between ancient knowledge and modern techniques without any chemical usage. RBF is an incubator for local farmers for capacity building and developing knowledge on agroecological methods of farming. The initiative is focused on the well-being of the rural poor, regeneration of natural resources and watershed management and the promotion of organic farming and marketing. Empowerment of women and alternative banking are important elements of promoting of rural enterprises and livelihoods. The capacities of local government (Panchayati Raj) are enhanced by the initiative, to enable them to serve the communities more effectively.

The development of the capacities of the youth to promote sustainable development ensures the sustainability of the communities. The initiative reduces the cost of cultivation and enhances crop productivity, including by promotion of irrigated crops and effective water management techniques and dryland horticulture. Improving livestock productivity is also a priority. Green manure agroforestry species and plants with insecticidal properties are grown on the borders of fields and farmers use ethno-botanical practices for control of plant pests/ diseases and for animal health care. They prepare and use “Bio-booster” and liquid manure and use them at least three times during the crop cycle for most crops. Advisors and scientists have supported the initiative.

The mission of the initiative is to empower marginalized rural people, especially women, children and dalits, to emancipate them to maintain a sustainable social change for good by restoring land and boost their resilience by soil enrichment, rainwater harvesting, and cross-fertilization of indigenous knowledge and modern techniques of farming.

This fact sheet is produced as part of the Avaclim project, which aims to create the necessary conditions for the deployment of agroecology in dryland areas. The international solidarity association CARI coordinates the Avaclim project while the Gosavi Bahuudeshiya Sanstha (GBS) is in charge of its implementation in India.