Why are farmers in South India shifting from conventional ‘Green Revolution’ agriculture to natural farming? A mixed-methods study

Introduction: The Green Revolution contributed to significant increases in crop production and yield in India. However, it also resulted in negative social and environmental consequences. In response, alternative farming practices have emerged which are based on agroecological principles, such as natural farming. In the recent years government policies at state and national level are also promoting it. However, its adoption by farmers to date has been limited and uneven. The aim of this exploratory sequential mixed-methods study was to understand barriers and facilitators involved in transitioning to natural farming in India. Methods: A sequential exploratory design was used. Qualitative Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted in six villages across Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh from March to May 2023. FGD transcripts were coded and analysed using a constant comparative method. Subsequently a questionnaire was developed based on the FGD findings and administered to the head of 1126 households across 82 villages in four districts in Andhra Pradesh from October to November 2023. Given the exploratory nature of this work, no formal statistical testing of the quantitative data was conducted. Instead, questionnaire results were summarized descriptively. Results: Eleven FGDs were conducted followed by a questionnaire administered to 1126 households. The FGDs revealed that health concerns were a primary motivator for farmers to adopt natural farming, while crops’ yield penalties were a major deterrent. In the quantitative phase, household health remained a strong motivator to shift to natural farming. Natural farming practitioners also highlighted the role of Internal Community Resource Persons (iCRPs) (21.3%) as vital for knowledge transfer and support. Both natural farming practitioners and conventional farmers emphasized the need for certified seeds supply (14.4%) and input support (9.3%) to ensure access to inputs. However, different farmer groups had varying needs: conventional farmers prioritized marketing support and non-pesticide management (NPM) shops, while natural farming practitioners emphasized the importance of infrastructure development and knowledge enhancement for long-term sustainability. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of understanding the diverse motivations of 53 farmers to adopt natural farming. Tailoring policies to address the specific needs of each group— whether conventional or natural farmers—can likely facilitate a smoother transition to natural farming and improved adoption rates.