Source: Down To Earth
Context
India’s Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme has won the prestigious 2026 Food Planet Prize, awarded in Båstad, Sweden. The Food Planet Prize is the world’s largest environmental award dedicated to transforming global food systems, established by Sweden’s Curt Bergfors Foundation. APCNF, launched in 2016, won over 1,000 international nominations from six continents, and now scales across 1.8 million farming families and 3,40,000 women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Andhra Pradesh.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| Award | Food Planet Prize 2026 |
| Award venue | Båstad, Sweden |
| Awarding body | Curt Bergfors Foundation, Sweden |
| Winner | Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme, India |
| Implementing agency for APCNF | Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), under Andhra Pradesh’s agriculture department |
| APCNF launch year | 2016 |
| Grand prize amount | USD 1.5 million |
| Prize for specialised international finalists | USD 150,000 each |
About the Food Planet Prize:
- It is the world’s largest environmental award focused entirely on transforming global food systems.
- Established by Sweden’s Curt Bergfors Foundation.
- Funds early-stage, high-potential projects capable of radically reshaping sustainable food value chains, rather than honouring past legacy achievements.
- The foundation also sends independent investigative journalists and photographers for unannounced on-ground verification.
About Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF):
- Launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.
- Implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), a non-profit company set up by the state’s agriculture department.
- Aims to shift Andhra Pradesh’s farmers from chemical-input-based agriculture to natural farming, based on principles like Jeevamrutham, Beejamrutham, and Acchadana (mulching).
- Key features: no chemical fertilisers or pesticides, use of cow-based bio-inputs, diverse cropping patterns, continuous soil cover, and community-led mobilisation through women’s SHGs.
- Acts as a community-based, women-led model rather than a top-down government scheme.
- Now covers 1.8 million farming families across the state.
- Aims to eventually take all six million farming households of Andhra Pradesh to natural farming.
- Linked to broader frameworks such as National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
About Natural Farming:
- A chemical-free farming approach that relies on local resources, cow-based inputs, and traditional knowledge.
- Different from organic farming in that it uses even fewer external inputs and is rooted in local, community-led practice.
- Promoted globally as a climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, low-cost approach to agriculture.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the 2026 Food Planet Prize, consider the following statements:
- The Food Planet Prize is the world’s largest environmental award focused on transforming global food systems.
- It is awarded by the Curt Bergfors Foundation of Sweden.
- The 2026 award has been won by India’s Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme.
- The grand prize amount is USD 1.5 million.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme, consider the following statements:
- APCNF was launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.
- It is implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) under the state’s agriculture department.
- The programme covers about 1.8 million farming families and around 3,40,000 women’s SHGs.
- APCNF promotes the heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to maximise yields.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; APCNF is a chemical-free natural farming approach, NOT one that promotes heavy use of chemicals.)
Q3. With reference to the architecture of the Food Planet Prize, consider the following statements:
- The jury follows a 50-50 split between scientific researchers and grassroots field practitioners.
- Nominations are mapped onto a 400-spot Master Grid covering geographies, formats, and food-cycle impact points.
- Shortlisted candidates undergo anonymous scientific review by top academics and industry experts.
- The prize is awarded only to projects with at least 50 years of historical legacy.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the prize specifically funds early-stage, high-potential projects, NOT only legacy projects.)
Q4. Consider the following statements about natural farming and related policies in India:
- Natural farming relies on local resources, cow-based inputs, and traditional knowledge, without chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
- The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is a Government of India scheme promoting organic and natural farming.
- The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a national-level scheme to encourage chemical-free farming.
- Natural farming is identical to industrial high-input agriculture using genetically modified seeds.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; natural farming is the opposite of industrial high-input agriculture, and does not depend on GM seeds.)
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because APCNF is a chemical-free natural farming model.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the prize specifically funds early-stage, high-potential projects, not legacy ones.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because natural farming is the opposite of industrial high-input agriculture.
Exam Relevance
| NABARD Grade A | Very high importance, sustainable agriculture, SHGs, rural development |
