Geo-tagged characterization of organic growers in Kerala

Abstract

A Global Positioning System (GPS)-based field survey of organic clusters was conducted during 2015–19 among 112 farmers in 2 districts of Kerala under the All India Network Programme on Organic Farming (AINPOF), by the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The survey was based on the questionnaire provided by the AINPOF lead centre, ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to elucidate the management practices, yield, profit and soil-health benefits of organic farming. Majority of the farmers were small and marginal (80%), with a land holding size < 2 ha and the farms were uncertified. Major crops grown organically were rice (Oryza sativa L.), fruits, vegetables, root and tubers, spices, plantation crops, ornamentals and medicinal plants. Being health conscious and aware of the quality of the organic produce, an 85% of the farmers used the produce for sustenance to provide safe food to their family, rather than for marketing and profit. About 31.19% of the farmers owned cow, 19.26% goat, and 33.02% poultry (hen and duck) as an integral part of organic farming. Pisciculture was practiced on a small scale (3.6%). Waste management was mainly by composting and biogas preparation, which led to effective recycling of farm wastes and overall enhancement in crop growth and yield. Indigenous preparations like Panchagavya, Jeevamrut, Ghanajeevamrut were used for growth promotion and flowering by 48.85% of the respondents. The major constraints faced were high cost and non-availability of quality organic inputs, low farm gate price for the organic produce and yield limitations during initial years.