Ravi and Sunanda are now successful role models of eco-friendly agriculture farmers and have won accolades from experts
Post Date – Monday, 4/24/23 at 9:30pm
Software engineer Ravi and his wife Sunanda inspect crops at their farm in Vijayanagaram village, Koutala mandal.
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unexpected changes to almost everyone’s life. The case of Madanu Ravi and his wife Sunanda is no exception.
Until 2019, Ravi from Vijayanagaram village in Koutala mandal worked as a software engineer in a leading MNC in Hyderabad while Sunanda worked as a lecturer (associate consultant) in Padmavathi Mahila University, Tirupati. During the 2021 lockdown, whenever they have time to work from home, they will experiment with natural farming.
Two years later, Ravi and Sunanda are now successful role models of eco-friendly farming farmers and have won accolades from experts.
“The influence of my parents, certain issues and the Covid-19 lockdown pushed us to venture into farming. As well as staying healthy by eating organic produce, we were able to advance farming,” Ravi and Sunanda toldTelangana today‘
Native Crops Using Soil Solutions
The farmer couple said they have grown five indigenous varieties of rice, pulses, pulses, oilseeds and eight types of vegetables on their 14 acres of land. They use a unique soil solution formulated with topsoil, subsoil and castor oil invented by Padma Shri winner Chintala Venkat Reddy. Yields from these crops are higher than modern farming methods, they say, adding that natural farming is simple and inexpensive.
How Soil Solutions Work
The pair reasoned that the slurry solution could be used as a pesticide, fertilizer, and improve soil fertility, which would increase yields. Subsoil contains the micronutrients and elements that plants need to grow. Topsoil consists of organic matter and fats necessary for plant growth. If pests eat plants that are covered in soil, they die. Castor oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
study natural agriculture
The couple visited dozens of farms around Hyderabad and in the Nagarkurnool, Nizamabad and Mancherial districts before experimenting with natural farming. They have received Nari Shakti Puraskar from Grama Bharati, Best Farmer Award from Adi Guru Bharati Sangha, Yadadri District and Rythu Raju Organic Award from Maha News Channel in 2023 and have been congratulated by many farming organizations.
YouTube channel, FB page
Sunanda, a MSc Chemistry graduate, also runs a YouTube channel called ‘Sunandanam Natural Farm’ and a Facebook page to raise awareness among farmers about natural farming and share her insights. She also sells organic produce online to customers in various parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka through TSRTC Cargo service.
