Copyright thehindu
While most students of their age spend weekends juggling academics and leisure, four Grade XII students from Chirec International School chose a different path, one that led them from urban classrooms to the heart of India’s farmlands. Under their initiative AgriNova, Shrithika Kethireddy, Sabdha Reddy, Karthik Reddy, and Yochit Cherukuri have embarked on an inspiring journey to bridge the gap between urban innovation and rural agriculture, launching an online awareness campaign aimed at educating farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, reduce chemical dependence, and support farmer well-being. What began as a small student project has now evolved into a thoughtful youth-led movement that combines research, fieldwork, and digital advocacy. AgriNova stands as a reminder that meaningful change can start with empathy. They gained field experiences touring organic farms on the outskirts of Hyderabad, where they learned and participated in natural farming practices, from composting and crop rotation to eco-friendly pest control methods. They also visited villages across Kadapa and Nellore districts, conducting soil health testing and interacting with local farmers on agricultural issues. “Our goal wasn’t just to study the system, but to understand it from the ground up,” says the team of AgriNova. “We wanted to connect youth like us to the roots of rural India to learn, to contribute, and to bring fresh ideas into the agricultural space,” they said. Through initiatives like AgriNova, the next generation is already sowing the seeds for a more sustainable and inclusive future, they said.
