Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming: A Study of Tomato and Capsicum Cultivation in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of India's economy, yet the environmental costs of chemical-intensive farming following the Green Revolution have necessitated sustainable alternatives. Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF), rooted in indigenous knowledge and minimal external inputs, has emerged as a promising solution. This study evaluates the economic feasibility and challenges of SPNF among 90 farmers cultivating tomato and capsicum in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Using multistage random sampling and detailed cost-return analysis based on Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices Cost Concepts (CACP) cost concepts, the study reveals a net income of Rs. 60,129.03 per acre for tomato and Rs. 57,642.94 per acre for capsicum, with favorable output-input ratios of 3.13 and 3.01, respectively. Despite these promising financial returns, farmers faced several constraints: yield reduction in initial years, high labor demands and lack of market support. However, improvements in soil health, pest resistance and reduced input dependency were widely reported. The findings suggest that while SPNF offers a viable, low-cost and ecologically sound farming model for smallholders, its scalability hinges on continuous policy support, technical training and the establishment of premium markets for SPNF produce.