Empowering Farmers | Promoting Natural Farming | Enhancing Sustainable Livelihoods

The Art of Living – Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology (AOL SSIAST) is at the forefront of promoting Natural Farming across India in collaboration with government schemes such as PKVY, Namami Gange, MOTA, RYSS, and RKVY. AOL SSIAST provides farmers, tribal communities, and rural youth with training, technical support, and PGS Organic certification, enabling them to adopt chemical-free, sustainable, and climate-resilient farming practices. Our programs restore soil health, enhance crop quality, increase farmer incomes, and create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that benefits communities, consumers, and the environment.

Our Government Projects in Natural Farming

PKVY Uttar Pradesh
(Namami Gange)

Duration

28/10/2024 – 28/10/2027

AOL SSIAST serves as Regional Council (RC) for PGS Organic certification in Raebareli.

Phase 1 (2020-2023): 35 clusters, 700 hectares, 1,603 farmers trained in natural farming.

Phase 2 (2022-2025): 50 clusters, 1,000 hectares, 1,800 farmers.

Impact: Enhanced land utilization, farmer participation, and adoption of sustainable farming practices.

MOTA Project – Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Duration

2020-21 to 2022-23 (extended 1 year)

Trained 10,000+ tribal farmers in Natural Farming in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

Results: 150% increase in annual income due to stronger supply chains and market access for naturally grown vegetables.

Recognition: Featured in the 100th edition of PM’s Mann Ki Baat as a model initiative for tribal welfare.

RYSS Project – Andhra Pradesh

Duration

2021-22 to 2023-24

Engaging rural youth in Natural Farming and sustainable agriculture.

AOL SSIAST serves as Recognized Certifier (RC) for PGS in Kurnool & Nandyal districts.

Impact: 3,467 farmers certified so far; aiming to reach 60,000 farmers this year.

PKVY Karnataka

Duration

Progress

Phase 1 & 2: Rama Nagar – 300 hectares, 387 farmers certified in natural farming.

Phase 3: Expansion to Bangalore (R), Chikkaballapur, Mandya – 2,000 hectares, 4 clusters.

Impact: Farmers can now sell chemical-free, naturally grown produce with PGS Organic certification.

Haryana RKVY Project

Duration

Dec 2023 – Apr 2024

Trained 4,500 farmers in Natural Farming techniques across Jind, Jhajjar, and Gurgaon.

Focus on bio-inputs, Agnihotra, and Astras to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.

Impact: Farmers transitioned from chemical-dependent farming to sustainable, productive natural farming.

Ashirvad Research Project(Bengaluru & Kolkata)

Duration

May 2025 – 31 Mar 2026

Scientifically validated nature-based solutions,The project combines phytoremediation, bio-culture treatment, biodiversity assessment.

Scale: 3 drains and 1 lake ecosystem restored,~3 km of polluted water channels treated, 1 lakh+ people impacted.

Impact: Demonstrated measurable improvements in water quality parameters, significant odour reduction, and revival of aquatic biodiversity

Ashirvad Afforestation Project (Cuttack district, Odisha)

Duration

Completed Project

Supported by Ashirvad (Aliaxis) CSR

60 acres of degraded land restored,15 villages covered,14,000 native trees planted.

Impact: Achieved 98% tree survival rate, converted barren land into functioning green ecosystems, improved soil health and water retention capacity

Research On Organic And Natural Inputs (Vardaan, Jagapaavani, Jeevamrut) Bengaluru, Karnataka

Duration

Mar 2026 – Aug 2026

0.5-acre vegetable cultivation research plot, Comparative assessment of 3 natural farming formulations,Implemented under in-house Naisargik agriculture.

Impact: validation of natural farming practices, identified viable alternatives to chemical inputs, and informed pathways for sustainable and resilient farming systems.

APCNF Natural Farming Certification Project - Kurnool & Nandyal districts, Andhra Pradesh (50 villages)

Duration

Since 2022 (Ongoing)

Supported by Government of Andhra Pradesh (APCNF), 50 villages covered across Kurnool and Nandyal districts

Impact: improved soil fertility and on-farm biodiversity, reduced dependence on synthetic inputs

Ashram Agriculture – Horticulture Development Project(Bangalore Ashram, Karnataka)

Duration

Since Dec 2025 (Ongoing)

Regenerative horticulture ecosystem integrating fruit orchards, chemical-free cultivation, biodiversity enhancement, soil restoration

3,000 fruit-bearing trees planted, Focus on mango and chikoo cultivation

Impact: Enhanced soil health and biodiversity, improved microclimatic conditions, strengthened long-term agricultural productivity.

Validation Of Natural Farming Practices – IIFSR Collaboration(Bangalore Ashram, Karnataka)

Duration

Since April 2026 (Ongoing)

Partnership with the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR)

Designed to generate scalable adoption insights and validated practice protocols.

Assess natural inputs, cultivation practices, soil health, crop performance, and nutrient dynamics.

Impact: supporting natural farming approaches, strengthened the credibility of sustainable agriculture practices, improved understanding of soil fertility and productivity outcomes.

Seed Ball Making Programme – World Earth Day Celebration | SSRVM Surat

Duration

5 june 2025

1,000 students engaged,10,000 seed balls produced across three activity series, Multiple indigenous species including papaya, guava, drumstick, and tamarind.

Impact: increased awareness of native biodiversity and ecological resilience, and created 10,000 potential planting units

Rewa Model Farm Project – Pilot Initiative (Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh)

Duration

25 dec 2025 (ongoing)

Partnership with Basavan Mama Gauvansh Vanya Vihar ,100+ farmers mobilized and trained

Demonstration farms integrating natural farming practices, indigenous cow-based agriculture, food forest models, multi-layer cropping systems, bio-input production, and farmer capacity-building and Agnihotra units established.

Impact: strengthened farmer capacity for sustainable cultivation, enhanced access to local bio-inputs and indigenous seed resources, and advanced pathways for resilient rural livelihoods and ecosystem restoration.

Why Natural Farming with AOL SSIAST Works

Farmer Empowerment

Hands-on training, continuous support, and certification.

Sustainable Agriculture

Promotes chemical-free, low-cost, climate-resilient practices.

Enhanced Livelihoods

Better market access, higher prices, and increased income.

Certified & Credible

PGS Organic certification ensures credibility and market acceptance.

Join the Movement

Every initiative under SSIAST is a step toward a healthier planet and empowered farmer communities. Together, we are building a movement that ensures food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.

How You Can
Join

Farmer

Attend a free workshop

CSR/NGO/Govt Body

Partner for outreach & scale

Volunteer

Spread awareness or mentor farmers

Conscious Consumer

Support natural produce & farmer brands

Translator/Advocate

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