S Vijayachandra Reddy and S M Mundinamani

Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

The present study has analyzed the cost and returns of major identified organic farming systems viz organic farming system-I: Groundnut + greengram followed by wheat + dairy, organic farming system-II: Sesamum followed by jowar + dairy and organic farming system-III: Maize + groundnut + dairy in Bagalkot district of Karnataka State by collecting primary data from 95 organic growers for the period 2011-12. The analysis of cost and returns in major identified organic farming systems in the study area revealed that, the net returns realized by the farmers was found to be maximum in organic farming system-III (Rs. 40,760.05) as compared to other farming systems identified in the study area. In addition to crop enterprises, dairy enterprise was found to be one of the important allied enterprises practiced by the sample farmers and major income source in the study area. The analysis revealed that, the share of dairy alone in the major organic farming system-I, II and III accounts for 27.83 per cent, 39.88 per cent and 32.41 per cent to the gross returns, respectively. This study suggests, efforts should be made through Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK’s) and Krishi Vigyana Kendra (KVK’s) to popularize these organic farming systems for improvement in productivity and profitability of crops and livestock in the study area.