An Economic Analysis of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture and Facing the Constraints by Organic Farmers of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Introduction: Agriculture is carried out mainly through three types of farming systems namely, natural farming system, inorganic farming system and organic farming system characterized by the different types of inputs and agricultural management practices used for cultivation of land and production of crops. Context: Green revolution brings several changes in agriculture production system via inorganic farming which promotes unsustainable practices for ecosystem and human health. Therefore organic farming practices are more prefer by farmers for obtaining better price. Objectives: In this context it is necessary to find out the economics of major crops grown under Organic Farming System and identify the constraints of production in hilly region of Uttarakhand as compare to Inorganic friendly farmers. Method: A purposive study was conducted in district Tehri - Garhwal and Almora under hill state of Uttarakhand. The result is based on the randomly selected 120 farmers (60 Organic Farming System Farmers and 60 Inorganic Farming System Farmers) interview. The costs of production of different crops have been worked out by using the standard cost concepts with suitable statistics. Results & Discussion: The gross as well as net income or profit of different crops increased significantly by two to three times under organic farming system whereas they remained stagnant and even declined under inorganic farming system over the years. The costs of production of crops per hectare and per quintal under organic farming system are lower than under inorganic farming system. Gross and net incomes or profits are nearly 2 times higher under organic farming systems. Overall organic farming system produces more and sustainable agriculture output with less energy, low cost and fewer resources with many constraints.