Andhra Pradesh’s community-led natural farming programme has won the 2026 Food Planet Prize, one of the world’s largest environmental awards focused on transforming global food systems. The prize, worth $1.5 million, was presented in Båstad, Sweden, on 2 June 2026.
Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme was recognised by the Curt Bergfors Foundation for promoting climate-resilient agriculture and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. The award citation highlighted its role in improving soil health, biodiversity, farm resilience, and reducing input costs through nature-based farming practices.
Key Highlights
- The 2026 Food Planet Prize received over 1,000 nominations globally
- APCNF was selected among 4 finalists from a longlist of 35 initiatives across 19 countries and 6 continents
- Recognised for demonstrating that farming in harmony with nature can deliver both environmental and economic benefits
Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF)
- Launched: 2016
- Implemented by: Rythu Sadhikara Samstha under Andhra Pradesh’s Agriculture Department
- Nature: One of the world’s largest community-led agroecology movements
Scale & Outreach
- Covers ~1.8 million farming families
- Engages ~340,000 women’s self-help groups (SHGs)
- Supported by 10,000+ community resource persons for farmer-to-farmer learning
- Includes farmer scientists and mentors for documentation and innovation
Expansion
- Practices being replicated across 22 Indian states
- International outreach in Sri Lanka and Zambia
About Food Planet Prize 2026
- Recognised as the world’s largest environmental award dedicated to food system transformation
- Established by the Curt Bergfors Foundation
Objective
- To fund early-stage, high-impact initiatives that can reshape sustainable food value chains
Organisation & Governance
- Founding Body: Curt Bergfors Foundation (Sweden)
- Jury Structure:
- Equal representation (50:50) of scientific experts and field practitioners
- Ensures balance between theory and real-world execution
Key Features of Prize Architecture
Master Grid Blueprint:
- Uses a 400-spot evaluation matrix
- Ensures diversity across geography, sectors, and food systems
Scientific Blind Review:
- Anonymous evaluation by global academics and industry experts
- Verification of evidence and climate impact metrics
Independent Field Verification:
- On-ground assessment by investigative journalists and documentary teams
- Ensures real-world validation of impact
Financial Support:
- $1.5 million to the winner
- $150,000 to each finalist to support scaling
Significance
- Establishes India’s leadership in sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture
- Demonstrates scalability of community-driven agroecology models
- Supports transition toward low-input, eco-friendly farming systems
- Reinforces the role of women-led SHGs in agricultural transformation