Socio-economic Analysis of SPNF Farmers in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The shift from high-input chemical farming during the Green Revolution to sustainable practices like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) or Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) reflects growing concerns over soil degradation and environmental health. This study, conducted in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, examined the socio-economic and behavioural characteristics of farmers adopting SPNF, a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative promoted under initiatives like the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna. Using a descriptive design and multistage random sampling, data from 90 SPNF practitioners revealed that the majority were middle-aged (74.44%), had secondary education (65.56%) and came from joint or large families. Most farmers (92.22%) had 4-5 years of SPNF experience and cultivated less than one acre of land. Behavioural analysis indicated that most farmers exhibited moderate levels of information-seeking (77.78%), risk-taking (85.56%), leadership (81.11%) and decision-making ability (80%). These attributes suggest a stable foundation for scaling natural farming practices. The findings underscore SPNF’s potential for promoting sustainable agriculture while enhancing rural livelihoods.