Barriers to Agroecological Transition: Understanding Farmers Constraints in Meghalaya

Agroecology provides a transformative pathway toward sustainable and resilient food systems by integrating ecological principles with local knowledge. This study, conducted in the Selsella Block of South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, analyzed farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, their influence on the adoption of agroecological practices, and the constraints limiting adoption. Forty farmers practicing sustainable or integrated farming were selected through a multistage sampling method, and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews via KoboToolbox. Data analysis incorporated frequency distributions, mean scores, the Agroecology Adoption Index (AAI), correlation analysis, and Garrett’s ranking technique to accurately interpret trends and patterns. The AAI value of 68.10 percent indicates that farms are transitioning toward fully agroecological systems. Factors such as landholding size, income, education, attitude, and risk-taking ability significantly influenced adoption. Major constraints included limited market access, inadequate training, and weak institutional support. Enhancing capacity-building, improving market linkages, and strengthening policy frameworks are essential to advance agroecological transitions in Meghalaya.