A journalist-turned-farmer from Andhra Pradesh, Gopina Krishna Prasad, has been honored with the National Millionaire Farmer Award for his innovative farming methods. Prasad, a native of Srikakulam district, received the award at the ICAR Millionaire Farmers Meet-2023 held in New Delhi.

Prasad comes from an agricultural family in Kongaram village, where his father and elder brother had been cultivating 20 acres of land using traditional farming techniques for several decades. However, due to the lack of adequate water sources, they faced substantial losses despite investing significant amounts of money.

In 2015, Prasad decided to leave his journalist job and venture into farming. He introduced natural farming techniques and polyhouse technology to cultivate watermelon, tomato, capsicum, and flowers for the first time in the district. Prasad successfully transformed his rocky land into fertile soil by digging a borewell near his farm. He also adopted mechanization of farm equipment and practiced natural farming methods for growing vegetables, pulses, paddy, and oil palm.

With the support and guidance of scientists from the Amadalavalasa Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Prasad achieved remarkable success and became an inspiration to fellow farmers in the state. Recognizing his efforts, Bhagyalakshmi, a senior scientist and program coordinator, sent a proposal to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), leading to Prasad's nomination for the Millionaire Farmer Award 2023.

Expressing his gratitude, Prasad stated that he took charge of farming to overcome his family's previous losses. Through the implementation of best management practices and the guidance of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra scientists, he has been able to cultivate various crops profitably on nearly 20 acres of land.

Prasad's journey from a journalist to a successful farmer highlights the potential for innovation and success in the field of agriculture, serving as a testament to the transformative power of dedication and knowledge.