Toxic Food

Saying no to pesticides

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture trains people in ecological farming

Fighting for farmers' rights and teaching them sustainable farming methods—these are two of the main objectives of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad.

After the Toxic Food episode was aired, the NGO was flooded with hundreds of visitors and received many phone calls enquiring about its Non-Pesticidal Management Programme. In fact, rural development departments in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam are promoting this model of sustainable agriculture as well.

With the funds raised through the show, the organization plans to establish a new training centre that will impart knowledge and skills about ecological farming to grassroots-level workers and civil society organizations. For this, it has bought 1.29 acres of cultivable land in Adavimasjid village, Andhra Pradesh.

The centre has also initiated a programme to meet the seed requirements of farmers in and around Adavimasjid. Besides this, a community compost unit is being set up in the village to convert urban waste into manure.

The fight against the use of pesticides in agriculture may be long and arduous. However, the efforts taken by NGOs like Centre for Sustainable Agriculture could take us towards a greener future.

"Sales at farmers' cooperatives that promote pesticide-free production and organic stores across the country, jumped after the episode."

- Dr. G. V. Ramanjaneyulu, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

About Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture is engaged in establishing models of sustainable farming in 150 villages across Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Chhattisgarh. The NGO works to improve the quality of life of farming communities by promoting methods that will enhance both the quality and quantity of crop and animal yields. It also promotes the sharing of knowledge, material and human resources, and serves as a repository for collecting, documenting and disseminating information on sustainable agriculture.

Your Contribution

Rs 43 lakh (approx.) was raised through Satyamev Jayate's viewers and Reliance Foundation

Going organic

Kheti Virasat Mission has been encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable methods of farming

Since May 2012, Kheti Virasat Mission has expanded its infrastructure and activities. Computers and laptops have been upgraded; three organic food festivals and consumer outreach programmes have been organized; and the NGO now publishes its own bi-monthly magazine, Balihari Kudrat.

Taking the message of pesticide-free farming forward, the organization has trained farmers in 17 districts of Punjab and has adopted 14 villages in the Faridkot and Barnala districts to encourage organic kitchen gardening among women.

Kheti Virasat Mission has also purchased a plot in Jaitu to construct its permanent office, which the organization calls Satyamev Jayate Kisan Bhavan. This office will also house Kudrati Kheti Gurukul, a training centre for organic farming.

A mini truck has been purchased to transport organic produce from the farmers of Faridkot and Bathinda to the market. The organization's activities have found mention in various mainstream and social media platforms and above all, people have access to food that is free of pesticides.

"Though Kheti Virasat Mission was known among activists, agricultural scientists and farmers even before Satyamev Jayate, the show gave us a platform to reach the masses."

- Umendra Dutt, Executive Director, Kheti Virasat Mission

About Kheti Virasat Mission

Since 2005, Kheti Virasat Mission has been working closely with the farmers of Punjab to encourage organic and sustainable methods of farming. The organization also addresses the need to conserve natural water resources and conducts workshops on topics such as environmental health and eco-sustainable rural development.