2025, Vol. 8, Special Issue 6

author(s)
Hariraj N, Cinthiya Fernandez C, Karthikeyan C and Balaji Parasuraman

abstract
The increasing awareness of ecological sustainability has led to a growing interest in natural farming, particularly in regions like the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. However, the shift from conventional to natural practices is not without challenges. This study investigates the key constraints faced by farmers in adopting natural farming, drawing insights from 120 respondents across Ooty and Gudalur blocks. Using an ex post facto research design and Garrett Ranking Technique, the study categorizes the major constraints into marketing, financial, institutional, labour-related, and ecological factors. The findings reveal that unstable market prices, lower initial yields, lack of government-fixed procurement, limited training, labour shortages, and extended conversion periods are major barriers. Farmers often encounter insufficient extension support, unavailability of bio-inputs at critical times, and inadequate institutional backing. Despite the proven benefits of natural farming, these structural and systemic issues hinder its widespread adoption. The study identifies a research gap in localized, farmer-centric analyses in hill regions like Nilgiris and calls for region-specific policy interventions. Future efforts should focus on participatory training models, access to financial services, and market linkage support. The results aim to inform policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the viability of natural farming as a resilient and sustainable agricultural alternative.