Title: PERCEIVED IMPACT OF NATURAL FARMING PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS

Authors: Neha Padaliya, H. R. Meena and Alok Dube

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: agricultural practices, environment-friendly, farmer perception, sustainable agriculture, natural farming, organic Farming

Volume: 41

Issue: 1

Year: June 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2026.41.1.0029

Abstract: Agricultural sustainability is increasingly threatened by climate change, soil degradation, and resource depletion, driving the need for wider adoption of natural farming practices. The study comparatively analyzed farmer perceptions of natural farming impacts across hill and plain regions using an ex-post facto design. Primary data were collected from farmers through household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, covering environmental, economic, social, and agronomic dimensions. Mann-Whitney U test revealed significant inter-regional differences across all dimensions. Plain region farmers reported higher perceived economic, social, and agronomic impacts, while hill region farmers perceived greater environmental benefits. Reduced production costs, improved soil quality, and utilization of local natural fertilizers emerged as the most prominent impacts in their respective dimensions. The findings emphasize the need for region-specific policies and extension interventions to effectively promote and scale natural farming practices.