Farmers’ participation and perception in sustainable agro-ecosystem management for conservation and stewardship

Natural resource management, conservation agriculture, and stewardship are nothing more than a socio- ecological continuum that unites nature and mankind. The ecological system is now at a dangerously disruptive level because of the depletive nature of conventional agriculture. The present study aims to identify and characterize the variables responsible for ecological functions and deliverables in small farms, as practiced by farmers. Elucidating the factors, impacts and perceptions of farmers, 150 respondents were selected from three villages namely Panchkahaniya, Bhabanipur, Satyapul of Nadia district by systematic random sampling for the study. The responses were collected through a structured interview schedule. The study envisaged that the size of homestead land, land under irrigation, consumption of coal, fuel wood, fire wood etc. and production of cow dung/poultry litter/goat/biogas slurry variables has been found to exert strong and determining contribution to the application of organic manure whereas age, size of family members, size of holding, size of homestead land, marketed surplus, cropping intensity, total amount of chemical fertilizer applied has come out with stronger determining character on the soil conservation level. The study suggests that Indian farmers should prioritize ecological restoration and conservation through stewardship functions to ensure their well-being and sustainability.