Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Bodapati Ravi Kiran and Dr. Chetan R Dudhagara

Abstract:
This study was conducted to understand the factors that influence the decision of farmers to adopt organic farming practices in Pulivendula region of YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. To achieve the objectives, primary data was collected from 140 farmers out of which 70 were conventional and 70 organic farmers using the purposive sampling method. The study shows that the majority of the farmer respondents were aged between 40 to 50 years, with males representing a higher percentage than females and having an education level up to the SSC, and a majority were illiterate. The respondents in the study had varying annual incomes, with a notable portion earning between 5 to 10 lakhs. The majority of the farmers owned land holdings of up to 2 hectares, and a significant number of them had more than two decades of experience in farming. The primary factors that influenced organic farmers to adopt organic practices were their personal interest and belief in the concept of organic farming, the desire to farm without chemicals, and the support they received from government and agencies. On the other hand, influence from other farmers and continuing from parent were found to be the least influential reasons for adopting organic practices. Organic farmers generally agreed that organic farming was beneficial for the environment and more profitable compared to conventional farming. They also acknowledged the challenges they face in weed and pest control, high production costs, labor intensity, market competition, and lower yields compared to conventional farming