Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu visited Palnadu district on Saturday, 20 June 2026 as part of the Annadatha Sukhibhava fund-release programme, inspecting the natural farming fields of local cultivator Gudipalli Nagabhushanam at Lingamguntla village and reviewing cow-based agricultural input production at a resource centre.

Context

During the field visit, Nagabhushanam explained his natural farming practices to the Chief Minister, noting that the shift away from chemical inputs had reduced his cost of cultivation while improving soil fertility and crop yields, making farming profitable. The farmer also demonstrated a traditional oil-extraction unit (ganuga) that cold-presses groundnut, sesame, and coconut using natural methods.

CM Naidu inspected the unit and heard how Nagabhushanam supplies naturally extracted oils from these oilseeds. The visit illustrated the state government's effort to showcase on-ground success stories of chemical-free cultivation to wider audiences.

Policy Backdrop

Andhra Pradesh began large-scale promotion of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) from 2015-16, popularising cow-based bio-inputs such as Jeevamrutham (liquid fermented bio-fertiliser), Ghana Jeevamrutham (solid form), and Neemastra (neem-based pest repellent). The current government has continued and expanded this framework, pairing it with direct income support to farmers.

The Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme provides annual financial assistance through direct benefit transfers to landowning farmers across the state. By combining cash transfers with extension of low-input farming, the government aims to address both immediate income stress and longer-term soil degradation caused by heavy chemical use.

CM Naidu stated during the visit that the state is actively promoting natural farming and building awareness among farmers about the damage caused by chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Stakeholders and Impact

Small and marginal farmers in Palnadu district — a region known for groundnut and oilseed cultivation carved from the erstwhile Guntur district — stand to benefit most directly from the dual policy thrust. The cow-based natural farming resource centre visited by the Chief Minister locally produces and distributes inputs such as Jeevamrutham, Ghana Jeevamrutham, and Neemastra to surrounding cultivators, reducing their dependence on purchased chemical inputs.

The approach mirrors similar dual-emphasis policies adopted by several other Indian states since the mid-2010s, reflecting a broader national conversation about sustainable agriculture and farmer welfare. Reduced input costs, when realised, translate directly into improved net farm income for households that are often heavily indebted.

What's Next

The state government is expected to roll out additional natural farming resource centres across other districts as part of the same programme. Subsequent tranches of Annadatha Sukhibhava disbursements are also anticipated in remaining districts, extending the fund-release tour that brought CM Naidu to Palnadu. The Lingamguntla visit is likely to serve as a model demonstration for scaling the cow-based input production model statewide.