Economic Benefits of Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Insights from Farmers’ Experiences

The increasing use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has raised concerns regarding environmental sustainability, soil health, and rising production costs. This study aimed to analyze the adoption of alternative agricultural practices and the cost savings achieved by farmers through the use of eco-friendly technologies. A descriptive research design was employed using primary data collected from 25 farmers. The study focused on four sustainable practices: compost, farmyard manure (FYM), neem oil, and yellow sticky traps. The findings revealed that compost and neem oil were the most widely adopted practices, each used by 84% of farmers, while FYM and yellow sticky traps were adopted by 16% and 28% of farmers, respectively. Most farmers adopted two or more practices simultaneously, indicating a preference for integrated sustainable farming approaches. The economic analysis showed that farmers achieved an average saving of Rs. 12,204, with total savings amounting to Rs. 305,100. Fertilizer cost reductions contributed the largest share of total savings. The study concludes that eco-friendly agricultural practices enhance profitability, reduce dependence on synthetic inputs, and promote sustainable agricultural development.