SPSR Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla. | Photo credit: HANDOUT
In view of declining farm income due to rising costs, SPSR Nellore District Administration has initiated ‘Farmer Champions’ initiative, a new approach to make agriculture profitable for farmers. This initiative is aimed at promoting market-oriented cultivation in 722 gram panchayats of 37 mandals in the district on an experimental basis for the coming two years.
Officials of the concerned departments are in the process of identifying budding farmers from every village in the district to train them as ‘farmer champions’. Based on the advice of agriculture officials, selected farmers become “role models” or “lead farmers” in the panchayat and later guide other farmers in the village to adopt best practices in agriculture.
Interacting with The Hindu, Collector Himanshu Shukla said, “Paddy production has been prevalent in Nellore region since historical times. Over time, farming has become less productive and we want to make it profitable again. About 722 farmer champions will be selected from all the villages in the district and will be given all the support for the next few years.”
“They will be trained to use the latest farm machinery and post-harvest techniques in cultivation. Farmers will be educated in marketing knowledge, organic farming practices and other necessary skills. Finally, they will be instructed to show progress in yield, lean towards alternative crops, acquire expertise in irrigation management and adopt good crop management practices. fertilizers and pesticides,” he added.
The Collector said that once the Farmer Champions prove successful, more farmers in the district will switch to alternative crop cultivation and the incorporation of modern technology will make farming profitable. It also expects agricultural companies to provide financial support to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) experimental farming initiative.
District Agriculture Officer (DAO) P. Satyavani said, “Mandal Agriculture Officers (MAOs) have been instructed to select the best practicing farmers in the district. Farmer Champions will be given modern farming tools and techniques to adopt innovative farming. Based on their success, other farmers will also be encouraged to follow suit.”
Published – 15 Oct 2025 20:20 IST
