Latest news with #RySS
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State govt launches AGILE platform to digitise agri input licensing
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh department of agriculture launched the AGILE (Agriculture Input License Engine) platform today at the secretariat, aiming to revolutionise the issuance of licenses for agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. The platform was formally inaugurated by Budithi Rajasekhar, executive officer and special chief secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation), who urged all stakeholders to actively use the system for a more transparent and efficient licensing process. AGILE is a centralised, paperless, and digital licensing system developed to enable real-time monitoring, streamline applications, and enhance accountability across the state. Speaking at the launch event, Sri S. Dilli Rao, IAS, Director of Agriculture, explained that AGILE is designed as a single-window digital interface for farmers, dealers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. The platform not only simplifies the application and renewal processes but also supports inventory management and supply chain integration. Features like Aadhaar-based authentication, online payments, SMS alerts, and DigiLocker integration make it an efficient and user-friendly tool for both administrators and users. During the event, the first digital fertilizer manufacturing license under AGILE was issued to a woman entrepreneur from Palnadu district, symbolising the platform's commitment to empowering grassroots-level stakeholders. Senior officials from horticulture, agriculture universities, and Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) were also present at the launch, emphasising the importance of inter-departmental collaboration.
Hans India
30-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
AP's natural farming model expands to Lanka
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme, implemented under the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), continues to chart new milestones in transforming agriculture towards sustainability and resilience. With over 1.13 million farmers enrolled and more than 4,000 villages engaged, the APCNF has emerged as a globally recognised model for community-led, women-driven, and agroecologically sound farming. Building on this momentum and responding to growing international interest serving pilot projects in progress in Indonesia and Zambia, the RySS has facilitated a new pilot initiative in Sri Lanka starting June 26. This effort aims at supporting Sri Lanka in building trust and capacity in agroecological agriculture systems. The Sri Lanka pilot project is being implemented in collaboration with Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka's largest and most broadly embedded non-governmental community development organisation and NOW Partners, an international organisation which helps promoting natural farming, and a longstanding global ally of APCNF. The collaboration was catalysed by an exploratory visit by Sarvodaya's leadership to Andhra Pradesh in July 2023 and a subsequent farmer exposure visit in early 2025, which established a strong alignment between the APCNF approach and the aspirations of Sri Lankan farming communities. Following a feasibility assessment by the RySS technical team, a formal partnership has evolved into an operational collaboration. Sarvodaya will serve as the local implementation partner, while Luxembourg-based NOW Partners will extend global outreach and visibility for the initiative. A dedicated six-member RySS team comprising experienced technical anchors and champion farmers has been deployed in Sri Lanka, people involved in the initiative said. The team is strategically positioned in two agro-ecological zones to work intensively with five farmers in each location during the Yala (May–August) agricultural season. These farmers will be trained as local champions of natural farming. In the subsequent Maha (September–March) season, the trained farmers will mentor an additional ten farmers each, initiating a cascading, community-led model of scale and knowledge transfer. The pilot will continue through both Yala and Maha seasons until December 2026, ensuring sustained technical, logistical, and institutional support from Sarvodaya and other key organisations.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Creche-cum-women's space inaugurated at RySS
Guntur: RythuSadhikara Samstha (RySS) at its state office located in Gorantla here inaugurated its integrated crèche-cum-women's space named 'The Eco-Nest'. T Vijay Kumar, Executive Vice-Chairman inaugurated the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of nearly 200 employees. CEO of RySS B Rama Rao was also present. Eco-Nest (for the future roots) is a model Crèche-cum-Women's Space aimed at providing a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment for children (6 months to 6 years) of RySS employees. Simultaneously, it functions as a dedicated space for women employees, supporting their well-being, dignity, and active participation in the workplace. This initiative reflects RySS's commitment to fostering gender-equitable workspaces and supporting women's rights and welfare, aligned with India's statutory mandates, including Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 says requiring crèche facilities in establishments with over 50 employees, POSH Act, 2013 ensuring safe working environments and enabling grievance redressal mechanisms, Factories Act, 1948 (Section 48) mandating crèche facilities in workplaces employing more than 30 women. For working parents, especially mothers, the Eco-Nest enables post-maternity reintegration, reduces work-life conflict, and enhances morale and productivity. For the organisation, it fosters employee retention, reinforces a gender-inclusive work culture, and showcases RySS as a progressive and responsible employer. Eco-Nest integrates best practices such as combined child care and rest facilities, lactation and counselling spaces, early learning activities and storytelling for children, participatory design with employee feedback.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Natural farming only way forward to restore planetary health
Vijayawada: 'This is a historic day and game-changing moment where the entire agriculture and horticulture department and its leadership have come together to champion a shift towards practices that enhance farmer prosperity,' stated B Rajasekhar, Special Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperation Department. He was addressing the inaugural session of a three-day district-level Training of Trainers (ToT) programme, which commenced Wednesday at all district headquarters. This programme aims at giving orientation to over 10,000 Rythu Seva Kendra functionaries across the State in June on the promotion of Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF). Rajasekhar emphasised that natural farming is a turning point, offering concrete solutions to major agrarian challenges. During his virtual session from the State headquarters, Rajasekhar urged departmental officials attending the training to promote Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) in non-APCNF villages to ensure 365 days of green cover on farmland. He highlighted successful natural farming practitioners like Srinivasulu from Guntur district and Hema Latha from NTR district, who are actively exploring the science behind the practice. T Vijay Kumar, Executive Vice-Chairperson of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), speaking virtually at the ToT launch, stressed the critical juncture faced by food consumers due to declining nutritional value, increasing pest resistance, rising carbon emissions, and economically unviable farming. He asserted, 'Natural Farming is not just a choice anymore; it is a necessity to restore the health of the planet and the dignity of the farmer.' This district-level ToT is a follow-up to the State-level programME and aims to orient all Village Agriculture Assistants (VAAs) and Village Horticulture Assistants (VHAs) statewide. Special arrangements were made at all district headquarters for smooth participation in virtual sessions with Heads of Departments. The training combines classroom learning with field-level exposure, providing grass-roots departmental functionaries with a comprehensive understanding of natural farming principles. Dilli Rao, Director of Agriculture; Dr K Sreenivasulu, Director of Horticulture; Dr. D.V. Raidu, Advisor to RySS; and B. Rama Rao, Chief Executive Officer of RySS, also joined the virtual call and addressed the gathering.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
This woman makes farming profitable
Vijayawada: Battula Hema Satya Venkata Lakshmi Prasanna also briefly called Hema, a woman farmer from Veerapanenigudem in Gannavaram mandal of Krishna district, never imagined that she would make farming profitable. She used to practice chemical farming once and found herself on the verge of quitting agriculture. With a mere one-acre landholding of her own and three additional acres taken on lease, she struggled to make ends meet. Her mango orchard, inherited and cultivated with chemical inputs, had been incurring loss year after year. The escalating costs of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation had pushed her into debt. It was during this time of despair that the AP Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), introduced her to a ray of hope with pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS). In 2020, Hema adopted PMDS by sowing 12 kg of Navadhanya (nine traditional grains) per acre before the monsoon. The technique was repeated each year from 2021 to 2025 by increasing the varieties of seeds up to 30. This simple yet powerful intervention transformed her soil structure, increased water holding capacity, and drastically reduced input costs. She started using bio-stimulants which include Ghana Jeevamrutham and Drava Jeevamrutham, along with botanical extracts such as Agnastram, Panchagavya and cow dung asafoetida solution. Fallen mangoes were fermented and used as a jaggery substitute in preparations of bio-stimulants and growth promoters completing the cycle of on-farm resource utilisation. The results were remarkable. With each passing year, Hema witnessed a steady rise in income. She claims: 'From Rs 1.20 lakh in 2020, my earnings soared to Rs 3 lakh in 2021, Rs 4 lakh in 2022, Rs 5 lakh in 2023, Rs 5.60 lakh in 2024, and a phenomenal Rs 10 lakh in 2025. Alongside the mango orchard, I have cultivated vegetables, leafy greens and marigold flowers.' In addition, the family now earns up to Rs 10,000 per month by selling surplus vegetables, while their two indigenous cows benefit from year-round green fodder. The natural quality of her produce created high demand in the local market. With the help of Self Help Group (SHG) members and RySS staff, she began promoting her farm products through WhatsApp groups. This direct communication led to advance bookings, particularly for her mangoes. Even government employees near the local Primary Health Centre have become regular buyers, often visiting the orchard to make purchases directly. Hema, thanks to PMDS and natural farming practice, now irrigates her orchard far less frequently even during summers because of improved soil moisture retention. The same red rocky land that once demanded excessive effort has now become fertile and manageable. Even 30-year-old mango trees are showing improved productivity. Additionally, she is earning from the sale of livestock fodder grown on her land. Today, Hema stands as a beacon of hope for many farmers in her region. Once on the brink of quitting, she is now a successful farmer and a community resource person with RySS. Her journey showcases how traditional wisdom, when combined with sustainable practices, can turn around even the most challenging agricultural situations.
