“I have seen farmers leaving farming and migrating to the cities to do menial jobs for survival. Coming from an agricultural family, I know the difficulties of farming. For the same reason, my father did not want me to do farming and sent me abroad for higher studies. I lived in different places, earning money and learning skills. But it felt irrelevant because I wasn’t helping my ‌people. I was also tired of living away from home. I have come back to India forever.” –Yella Reddy

Sama Yella Reddy is from Lingampally in the Rajanna Siricilla district of Telangana. Yella Reddy took up farming while most farmers in his village were giving up on it because it was not profitable for them. He has shown that farming can provide a sufficient income and has served as a role model for young people who want to stay in farming. Yella Reddy has been reaping good harvests while conserving the health of the soils by using sustainable and natural agricultural methods and avoiding chemical use. He firmly believes that a person who is reliant on and respectful of the soil will never fail. His story bears witness to this.