Empowering Rural Women through Natural Farming: An Assessment of Training-Based Interventions and Socio-Economic Outcomes in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Natural farming is widely practiced in Andhra Pradesh as it addresses problems associated with dependence on costly agricultural inputs, while also reducing health and environmental concerns arising from the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of training programmes on natural farming conducted among rural women in Andhra Pradesh. A total of 165 women participants were trained across six locations in Tirupati district, and follow-up data were collected after three months to evaluate adoption behaviour and initial outcomes.

The findings revealed that 71 per cent of the participants exhibited behavioural change towards the adoption of natural farming practices. About 64 per cent established kitchen gardens and adopted eco-friendly household cultivation practices, which contributed to reduced household expenditure on vegetables. Further, 78 per cent of respondents perceived improvements in family health and well-being due to the consumption of chemical-free food products. High levels of satisfaction were observed among the participants, with 46 per cent reporting that they were highly satisfied and 42 per cent satisfied with cultivating their own food using natural methods. Motivation and confidence among women participants increased substantially after the intervention, particularly among those involved in entrepreneurial activities. About 34 per cent of respondents engaged in income-generating activities through the sale of vegetables and value-added organic products, whereas only 17 per cent extended natural farming practices to their main agricultural fields.

The study concludes that training programmes are effective in promoting awareness, behavioural change, sustainable agriculture, and women-led entrepreneurship among rural households. However, continued technical support, market linkages, and follow-up interventions are required for large-scale adoption in main agricultural fields. The study contributes empirical evidence on the role of training-based interventions in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural women’s empowerment, with important implications for scaling natural farming among smallholder farmers.