Present Status and Economics of Organic Farming in the District of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal

The study has reported the present scenario about adoption and awareness of organic farming as well as costs and returns of major crops grown under organic farming vis-à-vis non-organic farming on a sample of 90 farmers (45 organic and 45 non-organic) selected from the Kashipur block of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttaranchal during the year 2004- 05. The study has revealed a fairly good adoption status with 36.51 per cent of sample farmers engaged in organic farming. Cost of cultivation for organic paddy over cost A1 and cost C3 has been found as Rs 18786/ha and Rs 31651/ha and for non-organic paddy as Rs 19106/ha and Rs 35947/ ha. The yields from organic and non-organic paddy have been found as 26.86 q/ha and 32.74 q/ha, respectively. However, farmers could realize relatively higher prices for organic (Rs 1380/q) than non-organic (Rs1161/ q) paddy. Net returns over cost A1 and cost C3 from organic and nonorganic paddy have been found as Rs 20144/ha and Rs 7279/ha and Rs 21323/ha and Rs 4483/ha, respectively. For organic and non-organic wheat, cost over A1 and C3 have been recorded as Rs 8653/ha and 17752/ha and Rs 12220/ha and Rs 22932/ha, respectively. The wheat yield has been found to be lower for organic (19.85 q/ha) than non-organic (28.12 q/ha) farming. The difference between prices of organic (Rs 875.16 /q) and nonorganic (Rs 780.24 /q) wheat has not been much wide. Hence, organic paddy has been found more profitable than organic wheat. The study has suggested organization of training programmes to generate awareness regarding organic farming. Lack of inputs being a general problem among producers, government should ensure timely delivery of quality inputs at reasonable costs. Also, to encourage organic farming, market support system need be strengthened.