1PhD Scholar, Deptt of Agricultural Extension, Institute of Agricultural, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
2Professor, Deptt of Agricultural Extension, Institute of Agricultural, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
A study was undertaken with the objective to find out from practicing organic farmers ’their perspective on the gaps in the organic farming policies, identify the barriers that limit adoption of organic farming and the driving forces that can help trigger development of organic farming in India. Three states viz. Sikkim, Karnataka and West Bengal were selected for the study. A total of 150 organic farmers i.e. 50 respondents from each state were interviewed using a structured schedule. The respondents felt that lack of coordination between government departments of agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry-each of which implements its policies independently and lack of government programme for developing domestic market were the most important gaps in the organic farming policies. Non-availability of quality organic input and non-timely release of funds to farmers for organic farming schemes were adjudged as major barriers. Specific focus need to be given to institutional support for research and education on organic farming, consumer awareness and facilitation to farmers for marketing of produce for sustainable growth of the organic sector.
Adoption, barriers, driving forces, gaps, organic farming
