Assessing the Association of Socio-economic Factors with the Attitude Level toward Eco-friendly Farming Practices among Vegetable Growers in Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

India’s agricultural sector significantly contributes to food security and rural livelihoods, with vegetable cultivation being a key but resource-intensive activity. The increasing environmental concerns due to excessive use of chemicals have led to a growing emphasis on eco-friendly farming practices. This study assessed the attitude of vegetable growers in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, towards eco-friendly technologies (EFT) in vegetable cultivation. A total of 240 farmers from twelve villages were surveyed using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. Results showed that the majority (57.50%) of respondents had a favourable attitude towards eco-friendly farming, while 24.58% exhibited less favourable attitudes and 17.91% showed the most favourable attitudes. Ranking of attitude statements revealed that “Application of crop residues can invite new pests” (Rank I) and “Young farmers should adopt EFT” (Rank II) were the most agreed upon. Other key perceptions included concerns about neem cake’s effectiveness and the ecological benefits of EFT, such as biodiversity and pollution reduction. Statistical analysis indicated significant associations between favourable attitudes and factors like education, farming experience, landholding size, extension participation, mass media exposure, social participation, scientific orientation, and risk orientation. Conversely, variables such as age, family size, income, and innovativeness did not significantly influence attitudes. The findings highlight the importance of targeted extension services and awareness programs focusing on identified demographic and socio-economic factors to promote sustainable vegetable farming practices. These insights can guide policymakers and agricultural agencies to enhance the adoption of environmentally sustainable methods, thereby improving farmer resilience and environmental health.