Padma Koppula is a committed development professional working in social and environmental sectors. She is the co-founder and CEO of Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, a 24 years old non-profit organization. She has gained enormous experience working with thousands of small and marginal farmers in the areas of sustainable agriculture/permanent agriculture and natural resource management (including watershed management and participatory irrigation management) besides offering farm advisory services. She firmly believes in communities’ empowerment, especially women, tribal and young farmers through capacity building, and support them in getting access to resources and taking ownership of their own situation.
She is eminent in bridging different government programs and helps to avail various benefits. She possesses strong training skills and continuously provide trainings to farmers, government employees and other enthusiasts in participatory irrigation management, farm advisory services & management, diversified crops, tree-based cropping systems and other eco-farming practices.
Through her work with Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, she facilitated the implementation of rainwater harvesting structures and plantation in 41,250 acres. She is also passionate about preservation and propagation of local and native seeds varieties and has supported the establishment of seed banks in many villages.
In addition, she holds different position to her credit including Director of Bodhi Educational Society, advisory member for Farmers Water Management Committees, farmer advisory services and consultant for governmental and non-governmental projects