Farmers' perceptions on organic farming in Punjab.

A survey of forty seven organic growers was conducted during 2007–08 to get information on crops being grown and organic manures being used by the organic growers and to know the farmers’ perception about organic farming and constraints in its adoption. The survey indicated that 38.3 per cent of the organic growers were large farmers, 23.4 per cent medium and semi medium each and 14.9 per cent small. In Ferozepur district, majority of the organic growers were large farmers (78%) where as in Ropar district, 75 per cent organic growers were small farmers. Rice, wheat, pulses and vegetables were the prominent crops being grown under organic farming using organic manures like farmyard manure and vermicompost. The most of the organic growers were managing insect pest and diseases by using neem based pesticides. Though the productivity level of organic crops was low yet the majority of organic farmers (62%) were satisfied with organic farming and practising it mainly due to the perception that organic farming improves the soil health, environment and human health (69.5%). The improved market infrastructure for organic foods and the availability of quality biopesticides to farmers can help in adoption of organic farming in Punjab as lack of market facilities (67.1%) and difficulty in control of insect pest and diseases (60.2%) were the top most constraints expressed by the organic growers.