In a nation where agriculture remains a cornerstone of livelihoods, the need for sustainable practices and equitable farmer empowerment has never been more critical. Among the trailblazers shaping this transformation is Dr. Prerna Terway, an agricultural economist whose pioneering venture, Tuvai Nature, is redefining grassroots farming practices in India, especially for tribal and smallholder women farmers.
From Policy to Practice: The Birth of Tuvai Nature
With a PhD and MPhil in Economics and over a decade of experience in academic and policy research, Dr. Prerna has long explored the nuances of farmer support mechanisms in India. Her work ranged from agricultural insurance to credit structures and government subsidy programs. However, it was during her extensive policy research that she identified a stark disconnect between policy design and its on-ground implementation.
"I realized that while we talk a lot about support, through MSPs, fertilizer subsidies, and credit, there's a huge gap when it comes to actual impact on the soil and the food we eat," she noted. Realizing the gap between the policies and their implementations, Dr. Prerna took a step to intervene in this area, by her own venture- Tuvai Nature. The objective to create Tuvai Nature was clear: Limiting the usage of synthetic inputs and uplifting the quality of soil and nutrition of the food we eat. As what we deliver to the soil is what we get back in our own bodies through the crops we grow. Through Tuvai Nature, Dr. Prerna is promoting Natural Farming and Sustainable Agricultural Practices across Eastern India.
A Women Led Sustainable Farming Community
Operating primarily in the tribal belts of Jharkhand and Odisha, Tuvai Nature works closely with smallholder women farmers. The organization’s approach is deeply participatory. Farmers are trained through “Harit Shalas” or Green Schools, where they learn to prepare bio-inputs using locally available resources. These schools function as both training and production hubs, creating a decentralized ecosystem of knowledge and input-sharing, by the farmers, for the farmers.
Women farmers are particularly receptive to the nutritional arguments for sustainable farming, Dr. Prerna shares. “They care about what they feed their children. When they realize that spinach today contains far less iron than it did in the 1920s, it resonates deeply with them,” she adds.
Tuvai Nature not only trains farmers but also supports them with market linkages and buyback mechanisms. For those transitioning to high-value aromatic crops such as lemongrass, the organization operates Common Facility Centres where essential oils are extracted and processed, significantly increasing the economic returns for farmers.
Tuvai Nature’s way of overcoming farmer’s reluctance - “10% Model”
Transitioning to new agricultural practices is never easy. Farmers often express hesitation due to fears over yield loss or uncertain market value. Tuvai Nature addresses this challenge with a “10% model”, encouraging farmers to convert just 10% of their land in the first season. Once they witness the results firsthand, many are willing to expand adoption voluntarily.
Demonstration plots serve as powerful visual proof. "Farmers don’t believe until they see," Dr. Prerna says candidly. "So, we let them see. We guide them step by step, and when one village adopts the model, others soon follow."
A Scalable Vision for India
Dr. Prerna believes that for sustainable agriculture to scale nationwide, both policy support and localized implementation are key. She advocates for state-specific pilot programs that consider diverse agro-climatic zones and incentivize the shift from chemical to natural farming.
“Right now, subsidies favor chemical farming. If we want real change, transitioning farmers must receive direct incentives, especially cash support,” she asserts.
A Message for Aspiring Agriculturalists
To those aiming to make a mark in agriculture or economics, Dr. Prerna’s message is clear: combine academic knowledge with ground experience. Whether in research or entrepreneurship, immersion in field realities ensures that one's work is relevant, impactful, and innovative.
“Challenges will come,” she acknowledges, “but if you’re determined, the change you seek is possible. Agriculture may not be easy, but it is rewarding.”
Dr. Prerna Terway’s journey reflects the power of integrating research, empathy, and grassroots engagement. Being an agricultural economist and a person rooted to the farming community, she is not only promoting sustainable farming but also creating a regenerative, inclusive agricultural economy, one that respects the soil, nourishes the consumer, and empowers the farmer, especially women, at the heart of rural India.
