An Analysis on Constraints Perceived by the Farmers in Adoption of Conservation Agriculture Practices in Selected Districts of Tamil Nadu

The study was conducted to find out the constraints perceived by the farmers in adoption of conservation agriculture practices. Ex post facto research design was used for this study. The study was conducted in 12 blocks of Cuddalore, Viluppuram and Tiruvarur districts respectively. The constraints part of the interview schedule had open ended questions which were administered to 233 respondents to collect constraints related to adoption of conservation agriculture practices as perceived by the farmers. It has been found from the study that lack of awareness on conservation agriculture principles, non-availability of labours, lack of local manufacturers of conservation agriculture machineries, strong belief in ploughing, insufficient training programme were the major knowledge, agronomical, technology, socio-economic and institutional constraints respectively. Also, suitable suggestions and strategies such as capacity building of farmers as well as extension agents on conservation agriculture, promoting local manufacturers to develop technologies which may suit the local conditions, promote minimum tillage concept instead of intensive ploughing and organizing pre-season training programmes on conservation agriculture practices were discussed to overcome the constraints perceived by the farmers.