K Meerabi’s innovative farming techniques have gained recognition not only within the state but also on the global stage after her recent presentation at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. With a strong desire to motivate women farmers dealing with family challenges, Meerabi has dedicated the past 14 years to making a positive impact.
Her dedication and passion led to the opportunity to represent both the state and the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) at the Oxford Real Farming Conference-2024 last week. During the event, experts and farmers from around the world came together to exchange experiences and insights.
Hailing from Ponnur in Guntur district, this 39-year-old woman had to leave school in the sixth grade because of her family’s financial struggles. At the tender age of 11, she entered marriage and became a mother of two by the time she turned 14.
When her husband became ill, she found herself thrust into the role of the family’s sole provider, prompting her to take up farming. However, after realizing that her husband’s sickness was linked to exposure to harmful chemicals during conventional farming, she began exploring alternative methods for cultivating crops.
In 2009, she discovered the principles of non-pesticide management and took on the role of a chief resource person to promote natural farming. By adopting pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS) and dribbling methods, she successfully cultivated 30 different crops each year, leading to substantial profits.
Reflecting on her journey, Meerabi expressed, “Natural farming has transformed my life. I transitioned to chemical-free farming on a one-acre plot in 2012. Not only did it cut down my yearly investment to Rs 19,000, but it also allowed me to earn Rs 1.5 lakh. Consistently practicing PMDS and diversifying crops significantly enhanced soil health. Last year, I didn’t even use inoculants like Ghana and Drava Jeevamruthas, yet the yield was of excellent quality.”
Officials at Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) were amazed by the outcomes and coined her organic farming approach as the ‘Meerabi Model.’ They commended Meerabi not only for successfully cultivating 30 different crop varieties but also for actively changing the lives of fellow farmers through advocacy and education on diverse natural farming techniques.
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In 2019, she joined RySS as a sub-divisional anchor and master trainer. Acknowledging the significant role played by RySS executive vice-chairman T Vijay Kumar in her journey, Meerabi shared, “Vijay’s dedication to uplifting farmers and his vision to bring natural farming to every household in the state motivated me to persist in my work, no matter how challenging it got.” She added, “I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would represent the state on a global platform.” Meerabi’s heartfelt speech resonated with the audience, earning her a resounding applause.
“I simply want to carry out my work and influence as many people as I can. My goal is to inspire them to transition to natural farming, not just for the benefit of farmers but also to provide everyone with quality, chemical-free food,” she expressed.
