Aranya Agricultural Alternatives – Permaculture India

Permaculture India, officially known as Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, is a registered NGO founded in 1999 and based in Telangana, India. It works to promote ecological, socially just, and sustainable agricultural practices based on permaculture principles. The organization focuses on empowering small and marginal farmers, particularly women, through natural farming and community-based development.

🎯 Vision & Mission

• Vision: To promote sustainable livelihoods by regenerating natural ecosystems through permaculture practices.

• Mission:

  • Encourage ecologically sound permaculture farming systems.

  • Support rural communities, especially women farmers, to adopt sustainable and resilient practices.

  • Promote food sovereignty, natural resource regeneration, and soil conservation.

🌱 Philosophy

• Inspired by forest-farming where natural forests are seen as models of sustainability.

• Follows the Law of Returns: taking only what is needed from nature and giving the rest back.

• Based on the core ethics of permaculture:

  • Earth Care

  • People Care

  • Fair Share

🚜 Key Projects & Farms

1. Aranya Food-Forest Farm (Bidakanne, Zaheerabad)

• 11.5-acre dryland food forest developed without irrigation.

• Uses rainwater harvesting, mulching, and biodiversity techniques.

• Grows native trees, pulses, millets, dryland rice, and oilseeds.

• Focuses on building fertile soil without using tractors or synthetic inputs.

2. Patashala Urban Farm (Badangpet, Hyderabad Suburbs)

• 1,000 m² urban permaculture demonstration farm.

• Focuses on organic vegetables, fruit trees, composting, and community learning.

• Established in 2015.

3. Eco Farming for Small Farmers (Ganga-ma & 10-Guntha Models)

• Developed under NABARD support.

• Promotes low-cost, small-scale natural farming systems for women and marginal farmers.

📚 Training & Education Programs

1. Introduction to Permaculture (2-day course)

• Covers basics of permaculture, composting, soil health, water conservation, etc.

• Conducted in English, Telugu, and Hindi.

2. Permaculture Design Course (PDC) – 13 days

• 72-hour internationally accredited course with certification.

• Includes topics like:

  • Soil and water conservation

  • Food forests

  • Urban permaculture

  • Earthworks

  • Social permaculture

  • Disaster resilience

• Conducted at Aranya Academy, Zaheerabad.

• Upcoming 2025 sessions: April, June, July, August, October.

🌍 Events & Outreach

• Hosted the International Permaculture Convergence 2017 in India.

• Organizes the National Permaculture Convergence (NPC) periodically.

• Collaborates with local and international NGOs, research institutes, and rural communities.

👥 Leadership Team

• Founder & General Secretary: Shri Narsanna Koppula

• Co-Founder: Smt. Padma Koppula

• Other key members: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and regional team members.

🤝 Partnerships

• NABARD

• Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Governments

• Lush Cosmetics

• International Permaculture Network

• Local NGOs and farmers’ groups

📍 Offices & Contact Details