It was led by Keith Agoda, CEO of Producers Trust, along with Patrick Struebi, a leading entrepreneur in the agricultural development space and a top European distributor.
The visit was arranged by the AP Rythu Sadhikara Samstha. The delegation began their visit at the district project management office, where officials provided an overview of the APCNF journey in the district and its cadre strength. DPM Raja Kumari elaborated on the nine universal principles of APCNF. The guests appreciated the approach, describing it as “very nice.”
The US team observed method demonstrations. During the field visit, they also explored an A-grade banana farm with intercropping, managed under the ATM model by Vasantha Kumari, an SC tenant farmer. While comparing different banana cultivation methods, including the seed to seed natural farming by Kannaiah and C Rama Rao and chemical farming by T Babu, the team remarked, “The soil is totally different when compared to chemical-based farming. The soil texture in natural farming is truly appreciable.”
At the Any Time Money (ATM) model turmeric farm, both Keith Agoda and Patrick Struebi were impressed by the rich aroma of the produce. The visit also included interactions with natural farming banana farmers, including resilience farmers. The team held talks with Self-Help Group (SHG) members on food basket interventions led by Adi Lakshmi SHG of Abhyudaya Village Organisation. Additionally, they visited a Nutri Garden maintained by SHG leader Srilakshmi.
Additional horticulture director CB Harinath Reddy and RySS staff also participated in the discussions.
