Status of Natural Farming in Tamil Nadu

This record hosts an academic research summary of the study Status of Natural Farming in Tamil Nadu, authored by Siva Muthuprakash-Vikas Anvesh Foundation and published by Rajiv Gandhi Insitute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi . The study examines the evolution, practices, and institutional context of natural farming in Tamil Nadu through an agro-ecological framework. The report analyses farmer motivations, operational models, and knowledge systems underpinning natural and organic farming practices across diverse agro-ecological settings in the state. It documents farmer profiles, sample characteristics, and field-level practices, with particular attention to soil nutrient management, bio-input formulations, composting techniques, and non-chemical pest and disease management strategies. The study further explores the ecological principles guiding natural farming, its implications for farm sustainability, and the challenges and gaps affecting wider adoption. Based on systematic field observations and structured analysis, the study highlights both the potential and the limitations of natural farming as a pathway toward sustainable agriculture. It underscores the importance of farmer-centric knowledge dissemination, context-specific extension support, and coherent institutional ecosystems to enable long-term ecological and livelihood outcomes. This summary is shared to support academic dissemination, citation, policy-oriented dialogues, and long-term open-access archiving. The complete underlying report is publicly accessible via the official website link provided within the document. © 2025 Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies