Music and manure don’t usually mix, except in the case of Janni Narshingh Naidu from Illayipuram village in Andhra Pradesh, who finds a novel way to inspire his fellow farmers to adopt natural crop-growing techniques.
In the heart of Illayipuram village, Andhra Pradesh, 45-year-old farmer Janni Narshingh Naidu stands before a gathering of 50 villagers. At first glance, his quiet demeanour belies what is to come.
As he begins to speak, his eyes sparkle with enthusiasm, his posture becomes animated, and his voice carries passion. Singing verses from religious texts, he pauses frequently to explain their relevance, weaving together tradition and wisdom in a way that holds his audience spellbound.
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This is no ordinary performance. It is an agricultural meet. But it is no normal meeting either. This is one of Naidu’s more unusual efforts to promote natural farming. Using songs, ancient literature, and mythology, Naidu shares insights into farming practices that have sustained communities for centuries. His unique approach, blending storytelling with practical knowledge, has won him the respect of his fellow villagers.
But Naidu hasn’t always been an advocate for natural farming. Like many others, he relied on chemical fertilisers and pesticides to cultivate his 2.5-acre wetland. Everything changed in 2022 when he met officials from NABARD during their JIVA programme, which is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and implemented by BREDS. Their lessons on natural farming ignited a curiosity in him.
“I was so intrigued that I began natural farming even before the programme was officially introduced in our village,” Naidu recalls.
He started small, growing paddy on his land while experimenting with planting vegetables along the edges. The transition wasn’t without its challenges. Initially, productivity was low, and scepticism from his family and neighbours added to his burden. “They said I was wasting money and my effort,” Naidu shared. But he was undeterred.
With support from BREDS, the Project Facilitating Agency of JIVA, Naidu attended training sessions and undertook exposure visits to deepen his understanding of natural farming. His dedication began to bear fruit.
He adopted the line-sowing method for paddy on one acre of land, which reduced his expenditure on seeds. To his surprise, the quality of his harvest was exceptional. While earlier he earned Rs 1650 for a bag of paddy, buyers were now willing to pay Rs 2000. This success boosted his confidence, and he gradually converted his entire land to natural farming, yielding 22 bags of paddy per acre.
Naidu also embraced border plantations, growing vegetables and flowers like marigolds. These acted as natural pest repellents and provided an additional income of Rs 3,000 per harvest season.
Recognising the importance of water conservation, he constructed a small pond on his land, with financial help from BREDS, which contributed Rs 8000. Naidu invested Rs 12000 of his own to ensure a steady water supply even during dry seasons.
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Scaling up further, Naidu began producing his own pest repellents and compost. He prepared organic solutions like jeevamrit (a mix of cow urine, cow dung, jaggery, and other natural ingredients) and neemastra to enhance soil fertility and combat pests. Generously, he distributed jeevamrit to 27 families in his village and taught others how to make it.
The same people who once doubted me now seek my guidance. They love how I explain natural farming through poems and music.
Naidu’s passion for natural farming extended beyond his village. Travelling to neighbouring areas, he inspired over 50 farmers to adopt natural farming practices. “The same people who once doubted me now seek my guidance. They love how I explain natural farming through poems and music,” he said with pride.
His journey didn’t just transform his farm but also his health. Consuming produce grown naturally, Naidu noticed improved flavour and nutritional value. Word spread, and he began receiving pre-orders for his harvest at premium prices.
Moreover, his story inspired landless farmers to lease small plots and start natural farming, proving that sustainability is within everyone’s reach. “I’m happy that people are beginning to understand the importance of natural farming,” Naidu says. “It’s our responsibility to care for the environment and our family’s health,” he adds.
Today, Naidu’s storytelling, fuelled by his passion, has united farmers and revived age-old practices. His story is a testament to the fact that tradition and innovation can coexist to nurture a land and its people.
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The lead image on top depicts Janni Narshingh Naidu and his family on their farm. The couple has inspired other farmers to adopt natural farming techniques. (Photo by Shreya Pareek)
Shreya Pareek is a journalist based in Uttarakhand. She has extensively covered positive social change stories from South Asia. She is the founder of The Stories of Change, a publication that focuses on documenting lesser-reported solution stories from across the globe.
Please note: This story has been updated to include the local project partner.
