A group of 30 professionals representing Brazil, the UAE, and Sri Lanka on Saturday observed the Community-managed Natural Farming (CNF) model of Andhra Pradesh during their field visits to the agriculture and horticulture crops in East Godavari district.

The delegation, representing the NOW Partners, a global alliance of business leaders and experts in agricultural practices, interacted with the farmers at Mukkamala village of Peravali mandal and Kapavaram village of Kovvuru mandal.

CNF district project manager Tata Rao explained about the natural farming practices that help improve soil fertility through on-farm resources, water conservation, and farmer income stability.

A farmer, Nagi Reddy Krishna Rao, showed the widening of the paddy bund with multiple crops to boost biodiversity and income. He also demonstrated the utility of drones in spraying natural farming formulations. Another farmer, Neerukonda Satya Narayana, demonstrated poly-cropping in horticulture across 13 acres. The delegation members also interacted with the Self-Help Group (SHG) women on the economic benefits from natural farming practices.