ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN ECOSYSTEM: A REVIEW AND FIELD-BASED ASSESSMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v7.i9.2019.6764Keywords:
Eco-Friendly Agriculture, Sustainable Farming, Rural Development, Organic Farming, Agroforestry, Indian EcosystemAbstract [English]
India's agricultural sector, which supports the livelihoods of over 58% of the rural population and contributes approximately 17% to the national GDP, faces mounting sustainability challenges arising from decades of chemically intensive farming, groundwater depletion, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate variability. Eco-friendly agricultural practices offer a scientifically validated and socially inclusive pathway toward sustainable food production and rural development. This paper presents a comprehensive review and field-based assessment of eco-friendly agricultural practices adopted across diverse Indian ecosystems, encompassing organic farming, agroforestry, rainwater harvesting, integrated pest management (IPM), zero tillage, vermicomposting, biopesticides, traditional seed conservation, biogas, and community forest management. Drawing on primary survey data collected from 210 farming households across six states and a systematic review of published literature up to 2018, the study documents 15 major eco-friendly practices, analyses their adoption patterns, benefits, and constraints, and evaluates their contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods. A Practice Adoption Index (AI) was computed analogous to the Informant Consensus Factor, with soil health and water conservation practices recording the highest adoption consensus (AI = 0.91 and 0.88, respectively). Key barriers to wider adoption include limited access to institutional credit, inadequate extension services, short-term yield trade-offs, and weak market linkages for organic produce. The study concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations for mainstreaming eco-friendly practices within national agricultural development programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the National Agroforestry Policy.
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