Agro-Ecosystem Analysis for Natural Farming provides a comprehensive understanding of agro-ecosystems, their structure, functions, and management with special emphasis on sustainable and natural farming approaches. The book explains the concepts of systems, agro-ecosystem components, system hierarchy, and the interrelationships among biological, physical, and socio-economic factors influencing agriculture.

The text highlights the principles, properties, and types of agro-ecosystems, along with detailed discussions on agro-ecosystem analysis (AEA), energy flow, nutrient cycling, and sustainability assessment. It systematically presents tools, techniques, methodologies, and stepwise approaches used in agro-ecosystem analysis for effective agricultural planning and decision-making.

Special emphasis is given to participatory approaches such as Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), Participatory Research and Management (PRM), and Participatory Technology Development (PTD). Designed for students, researchers, extension professionals, and practitioners, this book serves as a valuable resource for understanding ecological agriculture, community participation, sustainable farming systems, and natural farming-based rural development strategies.

Dr. D. Udhaya Nandhini is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop Management at Mother Teresa College of Agriculture, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3, Tamil Nadu, India. She holds Bachelor degree in Agriculture, along with Masters and Doctoral degrees in Agronomy from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Her doctoral research was funded by M/s Novozymes South Asia Private Limited. She has also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Farming. Dr. Nandhini has authored four books and published 25 research papers in both international and national journals, in addition to numerous popular articles. Best Popular Science Story Award (PDF category) under the AWSAR initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. She continues to teach and supervise undergraduate student projects, with her current research focusing on soil health index, carbon sequestration, and molecular-level studies in traditional rice varieties

Chapter 1. Introduction to Systems and Agro-Ecosystems

Chapter 2. System Hierarchy and Components

Chapter 3. Concept and Characteristics of Agro-Ecosystems

Chapter 4. Properties of Agro-Ecosystems

Chapter 5. Types of Agro-Ecosystems

Chapter 6. Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AEA): An Overview

Chapter 7. Tools and Techniques in Agro-Ecosystem Analysis

Chapter 8. Steps in Agro-Ecosystem Analysis

Chapter 9. Methodology of Agro-Ecosystem Analysis

Chapter 10. Energy Flow in Agro-Ecosystems

Chapter 11. Agro-Ecosystem Analysis and Sustainable Agriculture

Chapter 12. Participatory Approaches in Agriculture

Chapter 13. Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)

Chapter 14. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Chapter 15. Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) and PLAM

Chapter 16. Participatory Research and Management (PRM)

Chapter 17. Participatory Planning Framework

Chapter 18. Importance of Participation in Natural Farming

Chapter 19. Principles of Participatory Extension

Chapter 20. Participatory Technology Development (PTD)