Economic Viability of Natural Farming: A Comparative Study of Cost, Returns and Constraints among Farmers in Rajasthan, India

Natural farming is emerging as a low-cost and environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical-intensive agriculture. The present study was conducted to assess the socio-economic characteristics, economic performance and major constraints associated with natural farming among farmers in Nohar, Rawatsar and Bhadra blocks of Rajasthan. A total of 120 farmers were selected, comprising 60 natural farming adopters and 60 non-adopters. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured schedule, while secondary information was obtained from relevant published sources. Frequency, percentage, mean values, cost and return analysis, benefit–cost ratio and Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that natural farming adopters incurred lower cultivation costs than non-adopters. The overall total cost of cultivation was ₹45,459.46/ha for adopters compared with ₹65,459.46/ha for non-adopters. Although non-adopters recorded higher crop yields and gross returns, adopters obtained higher net returns due to their lower cost of cultivation. The overall net return was ₹17,708.21/ha for adopters compared with ₹6,889.13/ha for non-adopters, while the B:C ratio was 1.39 and 1.11, respectively. The results indicate better economic efficiency among natural farming adopters despite comparatively lower physical yields. Farmers had good basic awareness of natural farming and perceived lower cultivation cost, improved soil fertility and reduced pollution as important benefits. The major constraints were lack of organised market channels, inadequate government and extension support, limited access to credit, fear of crop failure and the time required for bio-input preparation. The study concludes that natural farming has considerable potential to improve farm profitability through cost reduction, but stronger market linkages, institutional support, credit facilities, practical training and extension services are required for its wider and sustained adoption in Rajasthan.