An economic analysis of organic farming systems in Karnataka State of India - a key for diversification of farm enterprise.
Reddy S. V., Mundinamani S. M.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India.
International Journal of Agricultural and Statistical Sciences 10 : 533-539
Abstract : Mounting awareness of health and environmental issues in agriculture has demanded production of organic food which is emerging as an attractive source of rural income generation. Farm enterprise diversification is an identity for self assures strategy adopted by farmers to protect against risk. The present study aims to analyze the cost and returns of major identified organic farming systems viz. organic farming system-I: Green gram+Sorghum+Dairy, organic farming System-II: Groundnut+Maize+Dairy and organic farming system-III: Cotton+Chilli+Onion+Mango in Gadag district of Karnataka State by collecting primary data from 95 organic growers for the period 2011-12. The analysis of cost and returns in major identified organic farming systems in the study area revealed that, the net returns realized by the farmers was found to be maximum in organic farming system-III (Rs.97437) as compared to other farming systems identified in the study area. In addition to crop enterprises, Horticulture enterprise, Mango cultivation was found to be one of the important associated enterprises along with dairy enterprise practised by the sample farmers and major income source in the study area. The analysis also revealed that the share of dairy alone in the major organic farming system-I and II contributed 38.83 per cent and 34.77 per cent to the gross returns, respectively. Among six identified farming systems in the study area FS-III of Gadag was found to be profitable based on the net returns obtained from the farming systems as whole enterprise. Thus, the study suggests that efforts should be made through Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK) and Krishi Vigyana Kendra (KVK) to popularize these farming systems in the study area to utilize farm resources efficiently to enhance productivity and profitability.