ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF NATURAL FARMING IN UNA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2021-12
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Economic Analysis of Natural Farming in Una district of Himachal
Pradesh” was carried out in Amb and Gagret developmental blocks of Una district by taking a representative
sample of 60 farmers through simple random sampling technique. For the analysis of data, the total respondent
farmers were divided into three farm categories according to the size of their land holdings, viz., marginal (<1
ha), small (1-2 ha), and medium (2- 10 ha). The average family size in the study area was 5.38. The literacy rate
was 94.08 per cent in males and 78.29 per cent in females whereas the literacy index was 2.56 in case of males
and 1.63 for females. 87.90 per cent of work force is involved in agriculture followed by business (6.85%) and
service (5.24). The average land holding size was 1.24 hectare out of which cultivated area was 1.01 ha. The
average area under Natural Farming was 0.28 ha and 0.73 ha was under Conventional Farming. Agriculture
(61.56%) accounted highest share in household income. 63.33 per cent of farmers had adopted the complete
SPNF model. There were four major crop combinations adopted under Natural Farming system i.e., Vegetables,
Vegetables-Pulses, Cereals-Pulses, Cereals-Vegetables. The most preferred crop combination was Vegetables as
38.33 per cent farmers in Rabi and 41.67 per cent farmers in Kharif season were adopting this combination. The
major crops grown under Conventional Farming system included Wheat, Pea and Radish in Rabi season &
Potato and Maize in Kharif season. Under Natural Farming, in Rabi season maximum cost of cultivation was in
crop combination Vegetables (Rs.56780/ha) and in Kharif season it was in crop combination Cereals-Pulses (Rs.
47693/ha). The Crop Equivalent Yield under Natural Farming system was lowest in all crop combinations as
compared to Conventional Farming system and the percentage reduction in CEY was ranged from 6.82 to 14.38
per cent in Rabi season and in Kharif season it was ranged from 2.47 to 29.68 per cent. In Rabi season, the
percentage reduction in cost of cultivation under NF over the CF system was ranged from 9.41 to 17.43 per cent
in Rabi season and 10.86 to 34.27 per cent in Kharif season. In Rabi season, the percentage reduction in gross
returns under NF over the CF system was ranged from 6.82 to 14.38 per cent and in Kharif season it was ranged
from 5.10 to 29.68 per cent. The Relative Economic Efficiency (REE) was highest in all crop combinations
under Natural Farming over CF system, except in crop combination Cereals-Vegetables in Rabi season. Under
NF system, the sum of elasticity coefficient was 0.64, indicated decreasing return to scale. The significant
factors responsible for the adoption of Natural Farming over Conventional Farming were yield, increase in cost
of chemical fertilizers, decreased pest attack and health benefits. Labour intensive technique, lack of irrigation
facilities, time consuming technique and higher wage rate were the major problems experienced by farmers
across the different farm categories