For nearly five decades, Chandrashekhar Bhadsavle, India, has led by example—building a diversified, visitor-friendly farm and championing the Saguna Rice Technique (SRT), a zero-tillage approach that strengthens soil health and farmer livelihoods.
That leadership is reflected in two recent updates from the Saguna Rural Foundation.
In March, a wildfire devastated Hill No. 2—an area restored since 2018—burning vegetation, biomass, and vital topsoil carbon in a single night. Farmers talk about the fire in this video. “The SVT team protected nature, preserved the hill, and breathed new life into the environment; we never lost while battling the forces of nature; but one foolish and destructive person reduced our carefully preserved green dream to ashes.”
Just weeks later, the SRT Vidarbha Tour (April 13–16, 2026) aimed at spreading awareness about the Saguna Regenerative Technique (SRT) a proven No-till, regenerative farming method that is transforming agriculture by improving soil health, improving soil moisture condition, reducing costs, building confidence and making farmers happy.
Reaching over 1,000 farmers, the tour showcased SRT as a practical solution to challenges like declining soil health, water scarcity, and rising costs. With strong participation, including more than 600 farmers at one stop—the tour highlighted growing confidence in regenerative agriculture and sparked new collaborations and field trials.
Together, these stories show both the challenges and the powerful momentum behind farmer-led solutions driving a more sustainable future.
Bhadsavle is a member of the Global Farmer Network.
