More than 10 000 farmer trainers are supporting the spread of chemical-free farming in Andhra Pradesh, India, where a women-led initiative that began as a small pilot in 2004 now reaches around 1.8 million farmers. Based on an interview with researcher Swati Renduchintala of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, this article by Natasha Foote examines the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming programme and its farmer-to-farmer approach to reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other purchased inputs.

Knowledge is shared through farmer networks, grassroots organizations and local institutions rather than through conventional technology-transfer models. The article describes how this experience is informing pilot initiatives beyond India, including in Zambia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Cambodia. In Zambia, local faith-based organizations and links with an agricultural training centre have supported 60 pilot projects, adapting lessons from Andhra Pradesh to local conditions. These initiatives are presented as demand-driven processes intended to build local capacity rather than dependence on external expertise.

The article also considers natural farming in the context of rising fertilizer costs and exposure to international supply chains. Farmers using locally available resources may be less vulnerable to fluctuations in imported input availability and prices. However, transferring the approach to other countries requires adaptation to local farming systems, institutions and social conditions. Farmer training, community leadership and accessible knowledge emerge as central elements of the model.