Constraints Faced by Farmers Adopting Integrated Farming System under the Farmer FIRST Programme: Insights from Morena District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) have gained prominence as a sustainable and resource-efficient approach to enhance farm productivity, income stability, and livelihood security among small and marginal farmers. By integrating multiple enterprises, IFS improves resource use efficiency and strengthens resilience against climatic and market uncertainties. The study was conducted in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh to identify the major constraints faced by farmers practicing Integrated Farming System (IFS) under the Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP). A total of 60 beneficiary farmers were selected, and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Constraints were categorized into production, marketing, financial, and management constraints, and ranked using Garrett’s Ranking Method. Results revealed that shortage of labour (mean score = 56.33) and uncertain weather conditions (mean score = 50.00) were the most critical production constraints. Among marketing constraints, high transportation costs (mean score = 59.50) and price fluctuations (mean score = 54.75) ranked highest. Increasing rate of labour wages (mean score = 64.25) and inadequate subsidies (mean score = 45.25) were the top financial constraints. In terms of management, difficulty in labour management (mean score = 59.50) and pest and disease management (mean score = 54.75) were the key barriers. The findings indicates that financial and management constraints dominate the challenges faced by IFS farmers. Policy and extension interventions, including farm mechanization, affordable credit, improved storage facilities, strengthened market linkages, and capacity building, are essential to mitigate these constraints effectively.