June 2026

Amaravati: Two women farmers from Andhra Pradesh have been selected for a prestigious 30-day multi-country study tour of Europe, where they will engage with leading institutions, policymakers, and global platforms on natural and organic farming. Women at the forefront of natural farming The selected representatives are Arika Narasamma, a farmer-scientist from Durubili village in Kurupam mandal of Parvathipuram–Manyam district, and Lalam Jyothi, a community mentor from Santhapalem village in Rambilli mandal of Anakapalli district. Both are associated with the Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming programme (APCNF) and are known for achieving strong results through natural farming practices. Europe-wide engagement across Seven Countries The delegation will travel across Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium, along with two other European nations, interacting with universities, research institutions, organic farmer networks, civil society platforms,s and policymakers.

A quiet revolution is unfolding at the fields in the remote tribal belts of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts. Women, once confined to traditional roles, are now playing a leading role in organic farming, challenging the dominance of chemical fertilisers. In the process, they have gone on to prove that sustainable agriculture can be both profitable and empowering.

PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM; Gembali Gowtham, a 30-year-old Data Science and Artificial Intelligence graduate from Parvathipuram-Manyam district, is transforming agriculture through innovation. Despite hailing from a middle-class family in one of the State’s most underdeveloped regions, Gowtham has emerged as an inventor and entrepreneur, designed eco-friendly electric devices meant to ease the burden of small and marginal farmers and tribal communities. After completing his post-graduation from GITAM University and a master’s in AI in Mumbai, Gowtham initially pursued a career in software. However, his passion for practical solutions led him to leave his job and join Wassan India, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on sustainable agriculture in rainfed areas. At Wassan, he worked as a Research and Development Engineer, developing affordable agricultural tools aimed at empowering rural farmers. One of his key inventions is a mini solar water pump, designed specifically for tribal farmers in hilltop villages prone to wild elephant attacks. Gowtham’s innovation ensures that farmers have reliable access to water without incurring high costs. Another notable invention is the mini millet dehuller, particularly for tribal farmers. Resembling a mixer but functioning as a mill, it reduces the physical strain of manual dehulling and is priced to be affordable for small farmers. Additionally, the mini portable sprayer is designed to ease the workload for women farmers, weighing just 2 kg and capable of spraying up to 400 litres through a 200-foot hose with a single charge.