Sushmitha first joined the project as a Natural Farming Fellow (NFF) conducting field experiments in Krishna district with the soil science team in the first phase of the project. “After completing my bsc in horticulture, iIam eager to do something from the learned part of my studies, so I have decided to cultivate with my knowledge. The chance I got to do UOR experiment has made a sink to do cultivation in a scientific manner by learning. From the present tenure of crop I observed and learned a lot of things from these 3 different type of farmings, and there’s lot more to understand and observe. This is an opportunity to even show my cluster farmers ,the difference between the ZBNF, organic and conventional treatments which will help them to implement the better one for better yields and good soil health.”
Now Sushmita is a state-level Technical associate (Research and learning), working in the science division and thematic area, at Rythu Sadhikara Samastha in Andhra Pradesh, in the area of Natural Farming. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural science, and provided valuable inputs in the domain, towards her division.
She was previously working at West Godavari a district in Andhra Pradesh, in order to collect soil samples, evaluate the data obtained from experimental plots and model plots, and coordinate with the state team. Due to her knowledge in the domain, and her ability to juggle tasks competently, she was shifted to the state team and is now working on multiple projects, one of which is the collaboration shared with Reading University.
Data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation, project implementation strategy and assistance, and documentation in areas of science and sustainability are domains, in which she is, currently, engaged.
With regard to her current engagement with Reading University, she will be carrying out surveys, with a focus on livelihood outcomes of the APCNF program with 365 DGC in comparison to conventional farming systems among men and women farmers of Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
