Athachi Farms Hosts ATMA Capacity Building Programme for Nallepilly and Perumatty Farmers
Athachi Farms hosted a two-day ATMA Farmers Capacity Building Programme, welcoming farmers from Nallepilly and Perumatty Krishi Bhavans under Chittur Block for practical exposure to integrated, regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices.
Farmers from Nallepilly Krishi Bhavan participated in the programme on 6th August 2026, followed by farmers from Perumatty Krishi Bhavan on 7th August 2026.
The sessions commenced with an overview of Athachi Farms and its Trust Nature® approach to agriculture. Participants were familiarised with the 20-acre farm’s integrated practices, encompassing crop cultivation, indigenous cattle rearing, soil and water conservation, natural farm inputs, medicinal plants, seed preservation and value addition.
Athachi Farms’ self-sufficient water-management system was also presented, covering its seven water bodies, rainwater harvesting, natural irrigation, groundwater storage, solar-powered recycling and Azolla cultivation. The discussions also highlighted how cattle rearing, aquaculture, poultry, beekeeping and natural inputs are integrated across the farm, strengthening soil health, biodiversity and overall farm resilience.
The programme also featured Athachi Farms’ rice conservation initiatives, with more than 60 traditional rice varieties preserved and 47 currently under cultivation as part of the Genome Pilot Project 2026.
Athachi Farms’ Manager, Mr. Krishnan C.V., also spoke to participants about the significance of the Palakkad Gap. He highlighted a comprehensive exploratory study initiated and fully funded by Athachi Group and carried out by the Department of Geography, Government College, Chittur. Covering its geology, soil, biodiversity and agricultural significance, the study offered farmers a deeper understanding of the Gap — not merely as a passage through the Western Ghats, but as a region of fascinating ecological and geological richness.
Following the session, participants toured the Herbal Garden, Nakshatra Vanam and Navagraha Vanam, which generated considerable interest and pride in the region’s natural and agricultural heritage.
At the Goshala, they observed indigenous cattle breeds in a remarkably clean, well-ventilated and thoughtfully maintained environment. Cultivation methods such as pyramid and vertical farming also drew particular interest, offering practical ideas they could adapt to their own farms.
The farm tour enabled participants to connect scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom, while gaining practical insights into water conservation, soil health, natural pest management, crop diversification and sustainable farming.
Farmer training is a key component of the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) framework, which seeks to strengthen agricultural extension services and encourage the adoption of improved technologies, sustainable practices and innovation at the grassroots level.
By hosting this initiative, Athachi Farms reaffirmed its commitment to farmer education, collaborative learning, agricultural research, and the preservation of natural resources. The programme reflects Athachi Farms’ continuing endeavour to promote farming systems that enhance soil and ecosystem health, strengthen farm resilience and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural community.
