Analysis of Organic Farming Practices in Arecanut ( Areca catechu L.) in South India
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Date
2016
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Abstract
The study was conducted among 90 arecanut growers drawn randomly from three districts viz., Coimbatore
in Tamil Nadu, Calicut in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka during August 2012 to January
2013. Also include little bit of research variables and their measurements. Majority of farmers (70%)
belonged to middle age category, ninety nine per cent of farmers were literates, majority were having rich
experience in arecanut cultivation, nearly fifty eight per cent of farmers had less than 2 ha area under
arecanut, sixty seven per cent farmers had livestock, majority were having medium level of social
participation, extension orientation and mass media exposure, nearly fifteen per cent of farmers had
undergone training on organic farming, more than one third of farmers (34.4%) were maintaining farm
records, soil testing was done by only 28 per cent farmers and very few farmers (3.3%) had done orga nic
certification. The main reason for adopting organic farming practices was ‘to maintain the soil fert ility’.
Growing of intercrops, mulching and use of green manure crops were the main agronomic practices. Main
organic inputs which were produced or prepared at the farm were, farm yard manure, crop residues, ash
and vermicompost. Farm yard manure, neem cake, biofertilizers, poultry manure etc. were the major inputs
which were purchased from outside. Majority of arecanut farmers (77.8%) had medium level of knowledge
on organic farming practices. Non availability of labour, lack of knowledge about organic farming practices,
non availability of quality organic inputs and high labour wages were the major constraints.
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Keywords
Arecanut, Constraint analysis, Knowledge test, Organic farming
Citation
Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development Vol. 11(2), 206-214, July-December, 2016