Investigating the knowledge levels of trained farmers in natural farming: A study of Tonk district of Rajasthan

Abstract

Natural farming is a type of farming that is pain-free, care-free, loan-free, and driven by passion, as described by Palekar, 2010. The study on natural farming in Tonk district, Rajasthan, included 120 trained farmers from three blocks, with an emphasis on pain-free, care-free, loan-free farming motivated by passion. Villages were selected based on preliminary surveys indicating a significant interest in ecological farming. A random sample of responders gave 74.17% with a medium degree of knowledge, with the Jeevamart and Beejamarita components demonstrating the highest understanding. Triangulation maintained validity and dependability, as evidenced by a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.641. According to the Durbin-Watson model, correlation and regression analyses revealed positive relationships between various factors such as education level, land ownership, experience in natural farming, mass media exposure, age, annual income, extension contacts, scientific orientation, and risk orientation