In a significant move to revolutionize farming practices, Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh has officially launched a groundbreaking programme named "Champion Farmer." The initiative, unveiled by District Collector Himanshu Shukla, is designed to bring about transformative changes in the agricultural sector by empowering progressive farmers at the village level.
Grassroots Leadership for Agricultural Change
Explaining the core concept at a district collectors' conference chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, Collector Himanshu Shukla outlined the programme's unique structure. The model focuses on identifying one progressive farmer in every village and positioning that individual as a "champion farmer." This selected farmer will then act as a local guide and motivator for fellow agriculturists in their community.
"Through the champion farmer model, we are creating local leaders in agriculture who can demonstrate best practices and share knowledge at the grassroots level," Shukla stated. The programme is strategically crafted to shift farming paradigms by promoting natural farming techniques, increasing mechanisation, and reducing the excessive reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Key Objectives and Strategic Support
The district administration has incorporated several critical components into the programme to ensure its success. The primary objectives are clear: lower input costs while simultaneously improving productivity and farm income. A major thrust of the initiative is to encourage farmers to move away from a mono-crop dependency, particularly on paddy.
"We are encouraging farmers not to depend only on paddy but to shift towards alternative and diversified crops based on local suitability and market demand," Shukla emphasised. The strategy encompasses a holistic approach, including:
- Crop diversification to enhance resilience and profitability.
- Adoption of scientific farming methods for sustainable yield.
- Focus on post-harvest value addition to increase the final price of produce.
- Establishing better market linkages to ensure farmers get fair value.
To ensure effective last-mile delivery, the initiative is being supported through existing frameworks like Farmer Service Centres and Swarna Andhra Vision Units. These centres will facilitate the dissemination of technology, quality inputs, and crucial advisory services directly to the farming community.
Chief Minister's Endorsement and State-Wide Vision
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu lauded Collector Himanshu Shukla for conceptualising and implementing this innovative initiative. He described the 'Champion Farmer' experiment as a "very good and farmer-friendly innovation." Naidu expressed his appreciation for Shukla's practical model, noting its potential to create a visible impact at the village level.
Recalling a personal interaction, the Chief Minister shared, "I even requested Himanshu to stay back in Amaravati, but he chose to go to the district saying he would create impact on the ground. Today, we can clearly see that he is doing an excellent job." Naidu stressed the importance of replicating such innovative practices across the entire state.
"All district collectors must study and create awareness on farmer-benefiting models like this through Farmer Service Centres and Swarna Andhra Vision Units," he instructed. He reiterated the government's unwavering focus: "Our focus is clear — agriculture must become profitable, sustainable and resilient."
Referring to the broader agricultural strategy, Naidu mentioned the recently launched 'Rythanna Mee Kosam' programme, which is exclusively designed for farmers. "Our goal is to reduce farmers' expenditure and ensure they earn the highest possible income. Every policy and programme we design must work towards that objective," the Chief Minister affirmed.
With the successful rollout of the Champion Farmer initiative, Nellore district is positioning itself as a pioneering model for farmer-led agricultural transformation in Andhra Pradesh. By blending community participation with innovation and sustainability, the programme aims to fundamentally improve farm livelihoods and set a new standard for rural prosperity.
