Natural Farming model of Andhra Pradesh wins Gulbenkian Prize 2024

The Andhra Pradesh government initiative, Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF), has won the 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The APCNF will share the one million euro prize money with the renowned soil scientist Rattan Lal and the SKEEM of Egypt.

They were awarded the prize for their substantial contribution to global food security, climate resilience and ecosystem protection. 

Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) 

The government of Andhra Pradesh launched the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) through its Rythu Sadhikara Samstha scheme in 2016.

• The APCNF was launched to encourage small farmers to adopt natural farming methods instead of the widely prevalent chemically intensive farming.  Farmers were encouraged to use organic residues, minimise tillage to improve soil health, use indigenous seeds and diversify crops, including the plantation of trees.
• The scheme's main aim is to find a sustainable solution to the farmers' distress caused by agricultural economic crises and climate change. 
• The programme will cover all eight million farmer households in Andhra Pradesh over the next 10 years. The Andhra Pradesh government is also helping 12 other states in India to promote natural farming in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
• The state government has announced that it will use the prize money to promote natural farming in five countries. 

Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity was set up by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation of Portugal in 2020.

The award is given to individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to tackling the challenge of climate action and providing sustainable solutions that inspire hope.

The total prize money is one million euros, which is distributed amongst the prize winners. 

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming systems are based on the traditional methods of biomass mulching, round-the-year green cover, and Indigenous cow-based dung and urine formulations. 

It differs from organic farming, which allows the use of vermicompost,bio-fertilisers, and need-based soil correction through naturally mined minerals. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides are not used in both farming methods.

.The four pillars of natural farming in India are : 

• Jivamrita (farm-produced microbial formulation for seed treatment) and Ghanjivamrita (farm-produced microbial inoculant used for soil enrichment) 
• Bijamrita ( use of local seeds and local varieties)  
• Use of mulching and vegetation to protect plants, 
• Whapasa (Whapasa means a mixture of 50% air and 50% water vapour in the cavity between two soil particles)

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

The government of India launched the  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in 2015-16.

•  It is being implemented all over India except the North Eastern States. 
•  PKVY Scheme is being implemented in a cluster mode (with a minimum farm size of 20 hectares.
• The scheme helps the farmers with production, processing, certification, marketing, and post-harvest management support, including processing. 
• The government provides farmers with financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare for three years.