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Led by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), Andhra Pradesh's initiative on Natural Farming is the largest such program in the world. A.T.E. Chandra Foundation (ATECF) has been supporting Natural Farming initiatives as part of its work on sustainable rural development. There are many organizations that are promoting sustainable agriculture, not limited to Natural Farming, at different locations in their own ways. However, adoption of Natural Farming remains on the margins at an all-India level.
It is clear that promoting Natural Farming across India and beyond requires a coalition of diverse stakeholders. To bring the coalition together, there is a need for a collective vision which energizes and attracts partners to come together.
Image 1: Visioning Journey leading to the Wicked Sprint, Time is in 2021
ATECF, RySS and Socratus Foundation organized the visioning journey consisting of multiple consultations with various stakeholders over many months. This culminated in a Wicked Sprint in May, 2021, an intense 4-day collaborative process where participants came together to co-create a future vision for Natural Farming.
"You can’t be what you can’t see"
The Wicked Sprint was attended by leaders from multiple organizations keen to scale up Natural Farming in India and beyond. The process enabled a rich evocation of the imaginations and aspirations of the future that they wanted to see. This is the narrative that emerged of the vision of the future, highlighting the collective potential and actions that are needed.
We, the organizers, would like to thank all the people who were part of our journey starting from the stakeholders who gave their valuable inputs during the consultations to the participants in the virtual sessions and the Wicked Sprint.
Video: The journey of how we achieved our vision
Video: The journey of how we achieved our vision
In 2035, India has succeeded in changing the course of agriculture and food.
In 2035, natural farming is mainstream in all large states of India with the Andhra Pradesh model being adopted by many states.
In 2035, agricultural knowledge, research and learning follows a new paradigm. There is a National Institute of Natural Farming established by the central government. Farmers are recognized as the custodians and transmitters of knowledge. Farmers move between farms and labs and have become visiting faculties at universities.
In 2035, a global 'ecosystem services' market has been developed, on the lines of carbon credits. Natural farming is an integral part of India’s climate mitigation strategy. Policies across India and outside recognize and reward farmers as stewards of the land, water and ecosystems. This has added to the farmers’ prosperity and to the prestige of farmers and agriculture.
In 2035, there is a strong consumer demand for food produced by natural farming. In rural India, local production for local consumption has created a virtuous economic cycle. Many new companies and farmers’ collectives cater to this demand and employ youth in rural areas. Natural Food is integrated with government schemes starting with anganwadis, schools and community canteens and moving onto the PDS schemes.