Sustainable Farming for the Future: A Comparative Analysis of Economic and Environmental Viability in Rice Cultivation Models

Main Article Content

Nirmal K Mandal, Prasanta Parida, Kuntal Sarkar, Jyotirmayee Pati

Abstract

Rice cultivation is a cornerstone of global food security and rural livelihoods, with India contributing 23% of global production, second only to China. However, the Green Revolution’s chemical-intensive practices have led to severe ecological degradation, including soil fertility loss, groundwater depletion and biodiversity decline. As the world seeks sustainable agricultural solutions, alternative farming models such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Natural Farming (NF) and Organic Farming have emerged as promising approaches. This study provides a comparative analysis of four farming models—Conventional Farming, IPM, NF and Organic Farming—focusing on their economic and environmental viability in paddy cultivation within Andhra Pradesh, India. Employing a mixed-methods approach in Andhra Pradesh, India, the research evaluates key metrics such as cost of cultivation, yield, net return, soil health, water conservation and pesticide reduction. NF emerges as the most sustainable model, achieving optimal balance between profitability and ecological stewardship. IPM demonstrates cost efficiency, while Organic Farming excels in soil health and water conservation. The findings advocate for hybrid approaches integrating NF, IPM and Organic Farming to address global agricultural challenges. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers, researchers and practitioners aiming to transform agriculture into a resilient and sustainable system worldwide.

Article Details

How to Cite
Nirmal K Mandal, Prasanta Parida, Kuntal Sarkar, Jyotirmayee Pati. (2025). Sustainable Farming for the Future: A Comparative Analysis of Economic and Environmental Viability in Rice Cultivation Models . European Economic Letters (EEL), 15(1), 1277–1291. https://doi.org/10.52783/eel.v15i1.2503
Section
Articles