Dr. Divya Chandana Advocates Organic Farming and Digital Support for Farmers in Telangana

Dr. Divya Chandana, Telangana State Health and Sanitary Chief of Mission Modi Rashtriya Sangh and National Vice President of the Women’s Wing of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), has intensified her efforts to promote organic farming, environmental protection, and farmer welfare across Telangana. During her recent visits to farming communities in Ranga Reddy district, and interacted with farmer Srisailam and several farmers to understand their challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. Divya Chandana, who had also contested as an MLA candidate in the past, emphasized the urgent need to encourage farmers to shift toward natural farming by using organic seeds and traditional agricultural methods. She stated that organic farming not only protects the environment but also improves soil fertility, reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers, and ensures better public health. She highlighted that excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides over the past three decades has contributed to soil degradation, declining crop productivity, and increased health risks.During her field interactions, farmers raised several practical concerns, particularly regarding the supply of organic seeds and the difficulties they face in accessing urea due to digital authentication systems. As per current government regulations, farmers are required to use biometric authentication or digital verification to purchase subsidized fertilizers such as urea. However, many farmers, especially elderly and small-scale farmers, lack adequate digital literacy and face technical difficulties in completing the authentication process. Farmers reported delays in accessing fertilizers during crucial crop seasons, affecting agricultural productivity and increasing financial stress.

According to agricultural data, nearly 55 percent of Telangana’s population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for livelihood, while small and marginal farmers constitute around 85 percent of the total farming community. Telangana has approximately 60 lakh farmers cultivating over 135 lakh acres of agricultural land. Despite government efforts to modernize agriculture, digital access and awareness remain uneven, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

Dr. Divya Chandana stressed that ensuring timely availability of organic seeds and simplifying fertilizer access systems are essential for strengthening the agricultural sector. She advocated for establishing organic seed banks at the village level and conducting awareness programs to educate farmers on natural farming techniques. She also emphasized the importance of traditional seeds, which are more resilient to climate variations, require fewer chemical inputs, and contribute to long-term ecological balance.

She further noted that natural farming can significantly reduce input costs for farmers. Studies have shown that farmers adopting organic and natural farming methods can reduce cultivation expenses by up to 30 percent while improving soil health and sustainability. She also linked organic farming with public health benefits, stating that chemical-free food can help reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and improve overall community well-being.

Dr. Divya Chandana’s initiatives reflect a growing movement toward sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and farmer empowerment in Telangana, aiming to ensure long-term agricultural resilience and rural development.