SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND CONSTRAINTS FACED BY FARMERS PRACTICING NATURAL FARMING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH INDIA

Natural farming is a farming approach that emphasizes the use of natural inputs, while preserving soil fertility and biodiversity without the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilizers.It is a comprehensive method that aims to emulate the natural ecosystem.To understand the socio-economic characteristics of farmers practicing natural farming, the present study was conducted in district Kangra and Solan of Himachal Pradesh.Two blocks from each district namely Kangra and Indora blocks from district Kangra and Solan and Kandaghat blocks from district Solan were randomly selected and a sample of 120 farmers practicing natural farming was selected for the study.Garret ranking technique was used to analyze the constraints faced by the farmers.The study revealed that 72 per cent of farmers were small farmers and 28 per cent of farmers belonged to large farm category.The average family size comprised of 5 members where the percentage of male was found to be 51 percent.The average number of females per thousands of males was 954.Male literacy rate was higher (96 %) than female literacy rate (93 %).Agriculture was the main occupation of respondents.The average proportion of active workers was worked out to be 69 per cent.Indigenous cows' population was higher than other livestock.About 61 percent of the total land holding was under cultivated area with cropping intensity of 198 per cent.The Garret ranking technique found that the most significant challenge encountered by farmers was labour demanding techniques, followed by an inadequate supply of skilled labour, high wage rates, a lack of market information, and the absence of a specialized market.Promoting natural farming is an important step towards sustainable agriculture and a healthier environment.To encourage natural farming, efforts should be made to create awareness camps for farmers, which include regular handholding, developing a suitable market for produce, financial support, certification etc.