Farmers’ Preferences on Acceptance and Adoption of Traditional Rice Production under Organic Farming

Persistent nutrient depletion is posing a greater threat to organic farming. Therefore, it becomes imperative to explore the most effective organic nutrient sources for sustaining soil fertility and producing quality products. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to promote organic farming through TNAU released liquid biofertilizers viz., Azospirillum, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, K Solubilizer, Zn solubilizers, PPFM application in traditional rice under organic farming. The knowledge level of the traditional rice growers in improved technologies was medium (36.0 %) to low (42.0 %) in before implement of the demonstration. The knowledge level was increased from medium (36.0 %) to high (56.0 %) after implementation of the programme. More than 68 per cent of the traditional rice growers practice panchagavya seedling dip, liquid biofertilizer seedling dip, liquid biofertilizer foliar application, foliar application of humic acid, foliar application of panchagavya in four critical stages etc. The results show that the applications of liquid biofertilizers positively increased more productive tillers (17.1 numbers), additional grain yield (18%) and straw yield (22%) compared to farmers’ practice. It was observed wide variations in grain yield (3950 kg/ ha) and durations (180 d duration) according to varieties. The majority of the respondents indicated that organic farming grants effective utilization of natural resources for income generation (95%) followed by nutritional security (88%). The appropriate reason for a medium to higher level of knowledge about improved production technologies of traditional rice growers might be due to KVK interventions such as awareness programme, demonstrations, training and field days.