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Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy
| Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy | |
| |
| Born | 8 February 1971 Prasannayapalli, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Farmer, Agriculturist, Innovator |
| Years active | Late 1980s–present |
| Known for | Quinoa cultivation in India, micro irrigation, crop diversification |
| Spouse | Hemalatha |
| Children | 3 (Harish Reddy, Jayashanthi, Roopa) |
Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy (born 8 February 1971) is an Indian agriculturist and farming innovator from Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. He is recognized for introducing water-efficient agricultural techniques such as drip irrigation and fertigation in arid regions, as well as for his role in the early adoption of quinoa cultivation in India. His work focuses on sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, and improving farmer livelihoods.
Early life
Reddy was born in Prasannayapalli village in Anantapur district to Mekala Eswar Reddy and Lakshmi Devi. Coming from a farming background, he was exposed to agricultural practices from a young age.
He left formal schooling after completing primary education and began working full-time in agriculture. Through hands-on experience and experimentation, he gradually expanded his agricultural activities from a small landholding into a large-scale diversified farming system.
His family’s long-standing involvement in grape cultivation provided him early exposure to viticulture and modern horticultural techniques.
Agricultural career
Reddy began his career with groundnut farming in the late 1980s. By 1989, he transitioned to horticulture, introducing crops such as grapes and sweet orange. In 1993, he adopted drip irrigation, becoming one of the early practitioners of water-saving irrigation in the drought-prone Anantapur region.
In 2000, he commercially introduced sunmelon cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. His large-scale muskmelon farming operations later supplied produce to markets in cities such as Delhi.
Over the years, he diversified into multiple crops including banana, papaya, pomegranate, figs, coconut, tomato, ridge gourd, and chia, alongside traditional crops.
Introduction of quinoa
Reddy is considered among the early farmers to cultivate quinoa in India. In 2012, he successfully harvested the crop, demonstrating its suitability for semi-arid climatic conditions.
His initiative played a role in promoting quinoa as a high-value and climate-resilient crop, encouraging its adoption by other farmers.
Innovations and farming practices
Reddy has implemented a range of scientific and sustainable farming practices across his agricultural land, including micro irrigation, fertigation, and mechanized farming systems.
Key aspects of his farming model include:
- Large-scale pomegranate cultivation across approximately 130 acres
- Around 25 acres dedicated to muskmelon cultivation
- Multiple grape varieties grown on about 25 acres
These practices have resulted in efficient water usage, with reported savings of over 50%, along with improved productivity and reduced input costs.
He emphasizes soil health management through reduced chemical dependency and efficient nutrient use, contributing to long-term sustainability.
Exotic crop experimentation
Reddy operates an agricultural farm of nearly 180 acres, where he experiments with 30–40 exotic fruit varieties to assess their viability in dryland conditions.
These include crops such as persimmon, longan, lychee, macadamia, and canistel. The farm serves as a demonstration model for diversification into high-value crops and supports agricultural research at the grassroots level.
Social impact and farmer support
Reddy has developed a scalable farming model aimed at improving water efficiency and increasing farm incomes. His approach has demonstrated:
- Significant reduction in water consumption
- Lower cultivation costs
- Increased yields and profitability
He has mentored numerous farmers in the Anantapur region, encouraging a shift from traditional crops to horticulture-based farming. This transition has contributed to the region gaining recognition as a major fruit-producing area in Andhra Pradesh.
Additionally, he has supported rural employment by training farm workers and helping them establish independent agricultural ventures.
Achievements
Among his notable achievements:
- Achieving approximately ₹1.4 crore turnover from muskmelon cultivation on 20 acres
- Producing nearly 400 tonnes of muskmelon within a short crop cycle
He is also recognized for:
- Early adoption of drip irrigation (1993)
- Introduction of sunmelon farming in Andhra Pradesh (2000)
- Early cultivation of quinoa in India (2012)
Awards and recognition
- 2020 – Honoured by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
- 2015 – Innovative Farmer Award by the Government of India
- 2015 – Outstanding Progressive Farmer Award
- 2007 – Adarsha Rythu Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh
Personal life
Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy is married to Hemalatha and has three children: Harish Reddy, Jayashanthi, and Roopa. His family actively participates in managing agricultural operations.