PM lauds Srikalahasti farmer for cow-based organic farming

TIRUPATI: Reddyvari Batthi Reddy, a small farmer hailing from T.M.V. Kandriga of Srikalahasti mandal in Tirupati district, has been applauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for educating fellow farmers about the central government’s cow-based organic farming scheme.

Batthi Reddy's journey began when he founded the Kalahasteeswara Farmer Producer Company Limited, an agricultural cooperative that achieved remarkable success through cow-based organic farming techniques in palm oil cultivation with low investments. The farmer’s approach earned recognition from not only his peers but also from the highest ranks of the centre.

The progressive farmer said having thoroughly researched various subsidies and schemes offered by the central government to support farmers, he realised that cultivating crops as a group could yield more profits compared to individual endeavours.

He thus established Kalahasteeswara Farmer Producer Company in 2020, initially comprising 310 farmers as shareholders, who came together to plant palm oil trees. Their practice of cow-based organic farming in their orchards yielded decent profits, which were equitably distributed among shareholders, setting a model of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Inspired by Batthi Reddy's success story, more and more farmers joined the cooperative. At present, the cooperative holds 550 shareholders. The cooperative has also established a groundnut oil mill by securing loans of ₹12.50 lakhs through schemes extended by Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO).

“We established a groundnut mill with the loans secured through FPO and are successfully running the unit, which has reached an annual turnover of ₹19 lakh with a net income of ₹80,000. All 550 shareholders had received their first equity. We have applied for the second equity now,” Batthi Reddy's said.
The performance and potential of the cooperative society came to the attention of officials from the central agriculture department, which submitted a detailed report to the union government, catching the attention of PM Modi.

As a result, Batthi Reddy got an invitation to participate in the Independence Day celebrations in the national capital, apart from a luncheon meeting with the Prime Minister. However, due to unforeseen health issues, he was unable to attend the meeting.
Batthi Reddy has expressed gratitude for the invitation and requested for additional initiatives to promote holistic development of farmers across the nation.