Shanjeevasriram, M creator Archana, R Sathyan (Guide) text Vellayani Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture 2025 monographic 150p. The present study, titled “Functional Dynamics and Critical Appraisal of Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) in Kerala,” was conducted during 2023-24. The study had specific objectives: to assess the status and implementation of BPKP within the Agro-Ecological Units (AEUs) of Kerala, estimate crop production and resource use efficiency for selected crops, and analyze the constraints related to BPKP. The study was conducted in the AEU-8 (Nemom and Neyyattinkara blocks), as well as the AEU-17 (Devikulam block). Primary data were gathered from farmers through a pre-tested interview schedule. Respondent farmers were selected using the purposive sampling method. The total sample size comprised of 200 participants, consisting 100 BPKP farmers and 100 control farmers. This study examined the status and implementation of the BPKP among the banana and cabbage farmers in AEU-8 & AEU-17 in Kerala respectively, comparing them to farmers engaged in conventional farming practices. In AEU-8, 58 per cent of BPKP banana farmers cultivated a single crop in their fields. A noteworthy 42 per cent relied on natural farming (NF) inputs, such as Panchagavya and fish amino acids, for pest and disease control. However, despite using these inputs, 58 percent of the farmers reported a high incidence of disease after adopting NF practices. Additionally, 52 per cent of respondents participated in capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing their NF skills. Financial assistance for the implementation of BPKP was received by 54 percent of farmers at least once. Notably, none of the BPKP farmers applied chemical fertilizers, adhering strictly to NF principles. Sentiment analysis revealed an overall positive perception of the BPKP among farmers following BPKP in AEU-8, with the term "natural" being the most frequently associated word in the word cloud analysis. In contrast, control banana farmers expressed predominantly negative sentiments towards the BPKP, with "natural" also emerging as the most repeated word in their word cloud analysis. Among control farmers, 60 per cent relied on single plant protection chemicals to manage pests and diseases. Seventy-five percent farmers made medium 141 investments in the purchase of manures, fertilizers, and pesticides. Additionally, half of these farmers utilized three or more types of organic manure on their fields, and 50 per cent adopted a double-cropping system. Notably, none of the control farmers were cultivating indigenous crop varieties. In AEU-17, 50 percent of BPKP farmers involved in cabbage cultivation practiced dual cropping in their fields. A majority of these farmers (62%) utilized Panchagavya for pest and disease management. Following the adoption of NF practices, 64 percent of BPKP cabbage respondents reported significant crop growth. Additionally, 42 per cent of the farmers participated in capacity-building training sessions related to NF. Sixty-two percent of the farmers received financial assistance twice to implement BPKP practices. Notably, none of the BPKP farmers employed chemical fertilizers, adhering strictly to NF methods. Sentiment analysis revealed an overall positive perception of the BPKP, with the term "natural" being the most frequently mentioned word in the word cloud analysis. In contrast, control farmers undertaking cabbage cultivation expressed predominantly negative sentiments regarding the BPKP program, with "BPKP" being the most repeated term in their sentiment analysis. Fifty-two per cent of these farmers relied on two plant protection chemicals for managing pests and diseases. A significant portion of respondents invested a medium amount in procuring manures, fertilizers, and pesticides, with more than half using only one type of organic manures in their fields. Furthermore, 54 per cent of farmers adopted a multi-cropping system, while none of the control farmers cultivated indigenous crop varieties. The costs and returns associated with banana and cabbage, the major crops in this study, were calculated for both BPKP farmers and control farmers. The costs and returns for banana were higher among control farmers compared to BPKP farmers, and similarly, the costs and returns for cabbage were also greater for control farmers than for BPKP farmers. A Cobb-Douglas production function was used to assess banana and cabbage production among both BPKP farmers and control farmers, with a focus on resource use efficiency. In banana production, organic manure was significant for BPKP farmers, while for control farmers, both planting materials and organic manures were significant. In cabbage production, the number of irrigations was significant for BPKP farmers, while the cultivated area (in ha) was significant for control farmers. A marginal productivity analysis, designed to evaluate allocative efficiency, revealed that organic manures for banana were overutilized by both BPKP and control farmers, while planting materials were found to be underutilized by control farmers. For cabbage, the number of irrigations was underutilized by BPKP farmers, whereas the area (ha) was underutilized by control farmers. While practicing NF, the constraints faced by farmers are substantial. In AEU-8, the primary constraint reported by the majority of respondents was the lack of price differentiation between vegetables cultivated through natural and chemical methods. The second major constraint was the low market price for the produce, which limited profitability. In AEU-17, the main constraint reported was the intrusion of wild animals, which caused significant crop damage and, in some cases, complete losses. The second constraint was once again the low market price for produce, while the third was the lack of price differentiation between naturally grown horticultural crops and those produced using chemical inputs. These challenges highlight the need for improved market support and wildlife management strategies to enhance the viability of NF practices in both regions. The BPKP scheme under study has shown partial success. Resource use efficiency is lower in chemical farming due to the overuse of organic manure. The main challenge for BPKP farmers is the low price for produce, even though it is chemical-free. To improve the program, it is essential to provide low-cost inputs and improve plant protection strategies, ensuring better economic viability for the farmers adopting BPKP practices. MSc Agricultural Extension Education Bharatiya prakrithik krishi paddhati BPKP Kerala 630.71 SHA/FU PG https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810227116 https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810227116