While many of their peers spent weekends immersed in textbooks or leisure, a remarkable quartet of Grade XII students from Chirec International School embarked on an entirely different journey. These four young innovators decided to trade their urban classrooms for the vibrant heart of India’s farmlands, sowing the seeds of change with their impactful initiative, AgriNova.
Shrithika Kethireddy, Sabdha Reddy, Karthik Reddy, and Yochit Cherukuri are the driving force behind AgriNova, a movement designed to bridge the crucial divide between urban innovation and traditional rural agriculture. Their mission? To launch an online awareness campaign that educates farmers on adopting sustainable agricultural practices, significantly reducing chemical dependence, and ultimately enhancing farmer well-being.
What began as a modest student endeavor has rapidly blossomed into a powerful, youth-led movement. AgriNova beautifully blends rigorous research, hands-on fieldwork, and proactive digital advocacy. It serves as a poignant reminder that truly meaningful change often springs from a place of deep empathy and a desire to make a difference.
The students’ dedication took them beyond theoretical learning. They immersed themselves in real-world experiences, touring organic farms on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Here, they didn’t just observe; they actively participated in natural farming techniques, from composting and innovative crop rotation to developing eco-friendly pest control methods. Their journey further extended to villages across Kadapa and Nellore districts, where they conducted vital soil health testing and engaged directly with local farmers to understand and address pressing agricultural challenges.
‘Our ambition was never just to study the system; it was to truly comprehend it from the ground up,’ the AgriNova team passionately states. They envision a future where ‘youth like us connect with the rich heritage of rural India—to learn, to contribute, and to inject fresh, forward-thinking ideas into the agricultural sector.’ Indeed, through pioneering initiatives like AgriNova, this new generation is not just learning; they are actively cultivating a more sustainable, equitable, and promising future for everyone.