The present study examines the relative economics of the selected crops under organic and inorganic farming in Satara district, Maharashtra in India. Adverse effects of inorganic farming practices not only on the farm sector, but also on the health of all living things and thus on the surroundings have been well recognized in the world.
Objectives: The major objective of this study is to find out (i) the area, production and productivity of organic and inorganic farming in study area of Satara district (ii) To examine the relative economics of selected crops under organic and inorganic farming in Satara district (iii) To study the input use pattern of selected crops in sample area.
Methods/Statistical analysis: This study is purely based on primary data collected from the Satara district of Western Maharashtra. The researchers have selected total 400 farmers and three crops namely jowar, sugarcane and turmeric for the present study. Per acre productivity of selected organic and inorganic crops in sample area is estimated.
Findings: The productivity of organic jowar was 8.95 quintals/acre, organic sugarcane was 55.80 tons/acre and organic turmeric was 25.2 quintal/acre in sample area of Satara district. However productivity of inorganic crops that is jowarwas 9.10 quintal/acre, sugarcane was 63.76 tons/acre and turmeric was 27.90 quintals/acre. The overall productivity of jowar, sugarcane and turmeric was high in inorganic farming than organic farming. Moreover price of organic jowar and turmeric was more than inorganic jowar and turmeric in the market. Organic producers are facing the problems of marketing of organic produce. There is also problem of awareness of organic products among the buyers. Organic producers do not receive reasonable price to their produce in the market.
Application/Improvement: The present study is helpful to measure the productivity and profitability of selected organic and inorganic crops. It can be applied to design the specific schemes and policy for organic farmers to improve their farm productivity and livelihoods.