Developing multi-dimensional societal-level strategies to mitigate farmer distress in India

Abstract

Introduction: Farmer distress in India stems from a complex interaction of economic, social, environmental, legal, and psychological challenges. Addressing it requires a multidimensional, evidence-based policy response. The present study was conducted to identify and validate expert-driven strategies for mitigating farmer distress at the societal level across five domains, namely production, psychological, marketing, financial, and legal. Methods: The study involved the Fuzzy Delphi Method, a hybrid of the Delphi technique and fuzzy set theory to systematically aggregate expert judgments and reduce ambiguity in consensus-building. A total of 61 strategies were identified using the Delphi method, spanning the five domains, which are rated on four criteria, i.e., ease of application, cost-effectiveness, relevance, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals and national policy frameworks. Results: After conducting fuzzy analysis, which resulted in a more robust and balanced consensus, out of 61 total strategies identified and evaluated, 47 strategies (77.0%) achieved expert consensus and were accepted based on dual criteria: threshold value (d ≤ 0.2) and expert agreement percentage (≥75%). The topranked strategies included cooperative marketing initiatives, low-cost subsidised life insurance, strengthening market intelligence, provision of community centres, access to legal aid clinics or counselling services, and soil testing and distribution of soil health cards on a regular basis. Rejected strategies highlighted the limitations of rural banking services and microfinance, administrative transparency measures, government interventions in regulated markets, and stigma-reduction campaigns. Discussion: The validated strategies provide a coherent and multi-sectoral policy roadmap for institutional strengthening, technology deployment, marketing feasibility, financial access, and legal empowerment. The strategies provide actionable insights for policymakers in providing evidence-based, feasible, and integrated solutions for farmer distress in agriculture.