ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AND ANALYSING CONSTRAINTS OF ORGANIC FARMERS IN JAMNAGAR DISTRICT OF GUJARAT

Abstract

Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs. Study was conducted on 120 organic growers of Jamnagar districts to evaluate for knowledge of farmers about knowledge of eco-friendly organic farming practices followed in their cultivation practices. The study most of the groups covered in major age group, educate higher secondary level, medium to big farmers having nuclear family, main occupation was agriculture and animal husbandry. Krishi Vigyan Kendra or University level information for organic farming were rank first with weightage mean (42.29), followed by second printed literature (37.08), third television (22.71). They received guideline from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (48.06%) followed by Agricultural University (31.39%) and seed/pesticide dealer (31.39%). The area of information was on the management, marketing, cultivation practices on organic farming. Recycling of weed bio-mass, P-solubilizing microbes, minimum tillage for nutrient conservation and Beauveria bassiana for management of soil and above ground pests ranked in prime knowledge by (60.83%). Only few farmers (5 %) having knowledge on fish wastes; Vermin-culture; Strip cropping & vegetative /live bunds and Use of Sea weed liquid for better crop growth and high yielding. Thus, 71.67 per cent of the respondents having very low level of knowledge. Govt. subsidies (72.5%); premium price (72.5%); special incentive or awards (67.5%); lack of market facility (67.5%) and administrative setup (62.5%) were the major constraints faced by the organic farmers. The suggested same problem solve by the government for better development of organic farming.