Perceived Constraints in Adopting Eco-friendly Agricultural Practices: Evidence from Vegetable Growers in Satna District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Growing concerns over soil degradation and environmental damage have led to increased interest in eco-friendly farming across the world. In India too, schemes like PKVY and PM-PRANAM have encouraged sustainable agriculture. However, in districts like Satna, Madhya Pradesh, many farmers still find it difficult to adopt these practices. This study was carried out in the blocks of Maihar, Sohawal, and Amarpatan, where 240 vegetable farmers were surveyed through random sampling. Information was collected using a structured interview format. To understand the barriers, constraints were grouped into five categories: general, input-related, technical, financial, and marketing. Each farmer rated these constraints on a scale of severity. The results showed that low yield from organic farming (70%), high input costs (60.42%), limited technical knowledge (58.75%), poor government support (52.5%), and lack of online market access (73.75%) were the most common problems. These outcomes highlight that farmers face several overlapping challenges, and practical solutions like on-ground training, timely credit, and better marketing systems are needed to support the shift to eco-friendly farming.