Natural farming advocated to combat health issues in Anantapur

Speakers at the Millets Mela-2025 emphasized that natural farming is essential to address health issues and improve food production. The event was held at the Police Convention Centre in Anantapur, inaugurated by retired IAS officer B. Janardhan Reddy. Mr. Reddy highlighted the importance of growing and consuming local crops to tackle malnutrition. He pointed out that while food is abundant now, it has led to rising obesity levels among all age groups. M. Vijaya Ram, a proponent of natural farming, encouraged local farmers to adopt traditional methods to increase their income. He referenced the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming technique, which has benefited millions of farmers in India. Vijaya Ram urged farmers to stop cultivating certain popular rice varieties and to switch to traditional ones that do not require fertilizers or pesticides. The goal of this farming method is to help farmers become self-reliant and reduce their dependence on costly agricultural inputs. A group of officials and representatives from various NGOs visited the event, which featured 30 stalls showcasing millet-related products and information about natural farming. A.F. Ecology Director Y.V. Malla Reddy explained that the event aimed to promote natural farming as a solution to both farmer and health challenges. The event included displays and food stalls serving millet-based meals, attracting around 800 farmers from the district.