Empowering Women in Agriculture: Rajavva Reddy's Triumph with Sustainable Cotton Cultivation

Meet Rajavva Reddy, a trailblazing female farmer from Nagraj Palli Village in Nangunnur Mandal, Siddipet District. In 2017-18, she embarked on a transformative journey with our Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) project, rewriting her story of agricultural challenges into a tale of resilience and success.

Before joining the BCI initiative, Rajavva faced substantial losses in her cotton crop due to pest infestations, resulting in a financial setback of ?23,000 to ?25,000. Unaware of the ill effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on seed quality, she would apply chemicals without taking the necessary precautions, leading to unhealthy crops and increased cultivation costs.

Enter the BCI project. Rajavva dove into project meetings and training sessions, absorbing valuable insights on deep summer ploughing, soil testing, seed selection, and eco-friendly pest management practices. She bid farewell to harmful pesticides like Monocrotophos, opting for safer alternatives suggested by BCI Field facilitators.

The results were transformative. Rajavva now monitors her cotton crop meticulously, using integrated pest management techniques like yellow cards and pheromone traps. Her adoption of sustainable practices not only increased her net income by 25% compared to conventional farmers but also introduced additional revenue streams through intercropping.

Crucially, Rajavva prioritized her well-being, embracing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during pesticide application. Her success story stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the profound impact of education and sustainable practices on the lives of cotton farmers.

Rajavva Reddy's journey exemplifies the empowerment that comes with knowledge and sustainable agriculture. Let's celebrate her triumph and inspire more women to embrace the path of sustainable farming.