International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management

Volume 4, Issue 11, 2017, PP 28-38

ISSN 2394-5923 (Print) & ISSN 2394-5931 (Online)

Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A

Study in Mysore District, Karnataka
Dr. H. M. Chandrashekar
Assistant Professor of Agribusiness Management, Institute of Development Studies, University of
Mysore, Manasagangotri, Karnataka
*Corresponding Author: Dr. H. M. Chandrashekar, Assistant Professor of Agribusiness Management,
Institute of Development Studies, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Karnataka

ABSTRACT
The current agricultural crisis and the farmers situation in the era of globalization, increasing capitalization
of agriculture, chemical intensive and bio-technology oriented farming and implications of soil and water
degradation or depletion for farmers livelihoods. Food is our most basic need, the very stuff of life. 75
percent of the Indian population derives its livelihood from agriculture, and every fourth farmer in the world
is an Indian, the impact of globalization on Indian agriculture is of global significance. Small and marginal
farmers are pushed to extinction, as monoculture replace biodiversity crops, as farming is transformed from
the production of nourishing and diverse foods into the creation of markets for seed company products, as
farmers are transformed from producers in to consumers of corporate-patented agriculture products.
Agriculture is the most important livelihood strategy in India, with two thirds of the country’s workforce
depending on farming. Most farmers are small and marginal farmers cultivating areas of less than two
hectares. Increasing land fragmentation, diminishing natural assets, high costs for external farm inputs,
indebtedness, and pesticide-related health issues have threatened the livelihoods of many farming families.
So, organic farming is best and ultimate livelihood option for any kind of social horizon. If you are in any
profession take big ‘U’ turns and lives and enjoy remaining life without any presser. Organic farming makes
following assets Enhanced NATURAL assets – here all kind of natural assets will increased and without
any environmental cause. Enhanced SOCIAL assets – organic farmers will get in same thread and they will
discuss about new methods and connected to each other always .Enhanced HUMAN assets – by eating
organic food and working in organic farm will improve the health. Enhanced FINANCIAL assets – here
reduced the input cost and increased outputs. Famers will not apply for any loans because no need buy
inputs. Enhanced CULTURAL assets – celebrate local festivals with related to agriculture and connected to
our cultural roots. An attempt is made in this paper to analyse the socio and economic status of organic
products producers and rural entrepreneurship in Mysore District.
Keywords: Organic farming, Cultivation, rural entrepreneurship and Marketing Arrangements.

INTRODUCTION have changed the mindset of some consumers of

different countries who are now buying organic
The main idea behind organic farming is „zero with high premium for health. Policy makers are
impact‟ on the environment. The organic farming also promoting organic farming for restoration
is to protect the earth‟s resources and produce of soil health and generation of rural economy
safe and healthy crop. Organic farming is a
apart from making efforts for creating better
production system that sustains the health of environment. The global organic area is 26
soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on million hectare roughly along with 61 standards
ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles and 364 certification bodies roughly. The world
adapted to local condition, rather than the use of organic market is now $26 billion. The organic
inputs with adverse effects.
area in India is 2.5 million hectare including
Organic farming combines tradition, innovation certified forest area.
and science to benefit the shared environment
Concept of Organic Farming
and promote fair relationships and a good
quality of life for all involved. Organic farming Organic farming is not new to Indian agriculture
is being practiced in 130 countries of the world. community. Several forms of organic farming
The ill effects of chemicals used in agriculture are being successfully practiced in diverse
climate, particularly in rain fed, tribal, mountains

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

and hill areas of the country. Among all about 76,326 hectare land under organic
agriculture systems, organic farming is gaining management. Which is only 0.05 per cent of
wide attention among farmers, entrepreneurs, total agricultural land According to this survey;
policy makers and agricultural scientists for varied there are about 5,147 certified organic farms in
reasons such as it minimizes the dependence on India. The Indian organic farming industry is
chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides estimated at us20 million and almost entirely
and other agro-chemicals) thus safe guards and export oriented. Acceding to Agricultural and
improves the quality of resources, and it is labour Processed food Products Export Development
intensive and provides an opportunity to increase Authority (APEDA 2005), agency involved in
rural employment and achieve long term promoting Indian organic products with a worth
improvements in the quality of resource base. of rupees 72 million are being exported from
India.
Organic Farming at Global Level
Organic farming is a holistic production
According to the 2009 survey almost 31 million
management system which promotes and
hectares are currently managed organically by
enhances agro-ecosystem health, including
more than 600000 farms worldwide. This
biodiversity, biological, cycles and soil biological
constitutes 0.7 percent of the agriculture land of
activity. It emphasizes the use of management
the countries covered by the survey. The continent
practices in preference to the use of off-farm
with most organic land is Oceania with almost
inputs. This is accomplished by using, where
11.9 million hectares, followed by Europe with
possible, agronomic, and biological and mechanical
almost 7 million hectares, America 5.8 million
methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials
hectares, Asia almost 2.9 million hectares, North
to fulfill any specific function in the system.
America 2.2 million hectares and Africa 0.9
million hectare. The approach and outlook towards agriculture
and marketing of food has seen a quantum
Favourable Effects of Organic Farming on
change worldwide over the last few decades.
Environment
Whereas earlier the seasons and the climate of
Organic farming is much better for the an area determined what would be grown and
environment than conventional farming. One of when, today it is the "market" that determines
the greatest environmental problems today is what it wants and what should be grown. The
energy consumption and organic farming. As a focus is now more on quantity and "outer"
matter of fact, energy efficiency is around seven quality (appearance) rather than intrinsic or
percent greater for the organic farming system. nutritional quality, also called "vitality". Pesticide
Other positive environmental aspects of organic and other chemical residues in food and an
farming include the use of much less fertilizer, overall reduced quality of food have led to a
and the complete avoidance of synthetic fertilizers, marked increase in various diseases, mainly
which are harmful to soil, water, animal and various forms of cancer and reduced bodily
people. Also, the nitrate content of organic fields is immunity. This immense commercialization of
significantly lower than on conventional farms agriculture has also had a very negative effect
due to the absence of soluble fertilizers. Organic on the environment. The use of pesticides has
farming focuses on preserving the habitats of all led to enormous levels of chemical build-up in
species and their surrounding environments, our environment, in soil, water, air, in animals
including the air and water. Organic farming and even in our own bodies. Fertilizers have a
releases much less carbon dioxide than does short-term effect on productivity but a longer-
conventional farming. Carbon dioxide is the term negative effect on the environment where
leading greenhouse gas that causes global they remain for years after leaching and running
warming. off, contaminating ground water and water
bodies. The use of hybrid seeds and the practice
ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA of monoculture have led to a severe threat to
In Indian agriculture, organic manures have local and indigenous varieties, whose germplasm
been used since Sir Albert Howard. A British can be lost forever. All of this is for "productivity".
agronomist way back in 1900 started the organic In the name of growing more to feed the earth,
farming. The commercial organic farming, as we have taken the wrong road of unsustainability.
practiced today, is still at a nascent stage. According The effects already show - farmers committing
to a survey of International Federation of Organic suicide in growing numbers with every passing
Agriculture movement and Stiftung Oekelogie year; the horrendous effects of pesticide sprays
and Landbou (SOEL) February 2005 India has by a government-owned plantation in Kerala

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

some years ago; the pesticide contaminated  Weed, disease and pest control relying
bottled water and aerated beverages are only primarily on crop rotations, natural predators,
some instances. The bigger picture that rarely diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties
makes news however is that millions of people and limited (preferably minimal) thermal,
are still underfed and where they do get enough biological and chemical intervention
to eat, the food they eat has the capability to
 The extensive management of livestock,
eventually kill them. Yet, the picture painted for
paying full regard to their evolutionary
the future by agro-chemical and seed companies
adaptations, behavioural needs and animal
and governments is rosy and bright .Another
welfare issues with respect to nutrition,
negative effect of this trend has been on the
housing, health, breeding and rearing
fortunes of the farming communities worldwide.
 Careful attention to the impact of the farming
This is where organic farming comes in.
system on the wider environment and the
Organic farming has the capability to take care
conservation of wildlife and natural habitats
of each of these problems. Besides the obvious
immediate and positive effects organic or Organic farming was practiced in India since
natural farming has on the environment and thousands of years. The great Indian civilization
quality of food, it also greatly helps a farmer to thrived on organic farming and was one of the
become self-sufficient in his requirements for most prosperous countries in the world, till the
agro-inputs, and reduce his costs. Chemical British ruled it.
agriculture and the agriculture and food distribution In traditional India, the entire agriculture was
systems have developed, propagated, sustained and practiced using organic techniques, where the
now share a symbiotic relationship which affects fertilizers, pesticides, etc., were obtained from
each of us in many ways.
plant and animal products.
NEED OF ORGANIC FARMING Organic farming was the backbone of the Indian
With the increase in population our compulsion economy and cow was worshipped (and is still
would be not only to stabilize agricultural done so) as a god. The cow, not only provided
production but to increase it further in milk, but also provided bullocks for farming and
sustainable manner. The scientists have realized dung which was used as fertilizers.
that the „Green Revolution‟ with high input use Given below are Some of the Advantages of
has reached a plateau and is now sustained with Organic Farming for Small Farmers
diminishing return of falling dividends. Thus, a
natural balance needs to be maintained at all High Premium
cost for existence of life and property. The Organic food is normally priced 20 - 30%
obvious choice for that would be more relevant higher than conventional food. This premium is
in the present era, when these agrochemicals very important for a small farmer whose income
which are produced from fossil fuel and are not is just sufficient to feed his/her family with one
renewable and are diminishing in availability. It meal.
may also cost heavily on our foreign exchange
in future. Low Investment
The key characteristics of organic farming Organic farming normally does not involve
include capital investment as high as that required in
chemical farming. Further, since organic
 Protecting the long term fertility of soils by fertilizers and pesticides can be produced locally,
maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging the yearly costs incurred by the farmer are also
soil biological activity, and careful mechanical low. Agriculture greatly depends on external
intervention factors such as climate, pests, disease.
 Providing crop nutrients indirectly using Furthermore, most of the small farmers are
relatively insoluble nutrient sources which dependent on natural rain for water. Therefore
are made available to the plant by the action in cases of natural calamity, pest or disease
of soil micro-organisms attack, and irregular rainfall, when there is a crop
failure, small farmers practicing organic farming
 Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of have to suffer less as their investments are low. (It
legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as should be noted that while shifting from chemical
well as effective recycling of organic materials farming to organic farming, the transition might
including crop residues and livestock manures be costly)

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

Less Dependence on Money Lenders The procedures and requirements are not suited
to small-scale farmers.
Many small farmers worldwide commit suicide
since chemical inputs, which are very costly, are Bias in Incentives
not required in organic farming, small farmers
The government provides many different
are not dependent on money lenders. Crop
incentives for high input agriculture. Equal
failure, therefore, does not leave an organic
attention should be given to sustainable
farmer into enormous debt, and does not force
agricultural practices.
him to take an extreme step.
Lack of Research and Extension Support
Synergy with Life Forms
To organic farming and on various aspects like
Organic farming involves synergy with various
traditional varieties.
plant and animal life forms. Small farmers are
able to understand this synergy easily and hence Poor Marketing
find it easy to implement them. There is a lack of organized, appropriate
Traditional Knowledge marketing structures for small-scale organic
farming.
Small farmers have abundance of traditional
knowledge with them and within their Misinformation and Market Power
community. Most of this traditional knowledge The pesticide industry provides misleading or
cannot be used for chemical farming. However, false information to farmers. Its well-established
when it comes to organic farming, the farmers marketing structures feed India‟s farmers with
can make use of the traditional knowledge. persuasive messages promoting high-input
Further, in case of organic farming, small farmers farming.
are not dependent on those who provide
chemical know-how. Lack of Awareness
Constraints in Organic Farming in India Farmers and consumers are still not awakened to
the dangers of chemical farming and the
There are many constraints to the spread of organic continuing depletion of natural resources.
agriculture in India. Here are the main ones.
Changes Needed to Achieve the Potentials of
Bias towards Chemical Farming Organic Agriculture
Existing policies, research and extension Many changes are needed if India is to
activities all support high-external-input overcome these constraints and achieve its rich
farming. Little attention is given to organic potential in organic agriculture.
agriculture, and no resource materials are
available. Research and Extension
Misappropriation of Local Varieties Research is needed to improve the yield of local
crop varieties. Research and extension systems
There is a danger that local seed varieties will be should place more emphasis on developing
patented by multinational companies. The indigenous crops and livestock.
Indian government should recognize the rich
heritage which is the property if India and its Supporting Small-Scale Organic Farming
local people. This property should be protected Specific attention should be given to improving
by law. local agricultural production by marginal farmers
Hazardous Chemicals and smallholders who are still “organic by
default” and frequently depend on public
The government should ensure that hazardous welfare programmes.
substances which are banned internationally do
not reach Indian farmers. Such chemicals are Protect Livelihoods of Rural Poor
dangerous to people and the environment. Laws The deregulation of national food markets has
already regulate them, but they are not properly been agreed on an international level. Within
enforced. this framework, agricultural policy should
Certification of Organic Farming develop new strategies to prevent small-scale
farmers from being pushed out of the market
Policy support for organic agriculture is and off their land into poverty.
arriving, but it caters to big organic enterprises.

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

Local Control of Land  To assess and evaluate the factors which

Large areas of wasteland and forest land located facilitates the adoption of organic farming
close to villages should be supervised by village through Rural Entrepreneurship Development.
committees. This would increase their ability to  To study the constraints of organic farming
rehabilitate and use these lands in a sustainable and to provide the remedial measures thereof.
way.
METHODOLOGY
Local Enterprises
The present research is conducted in Mysore
Village-level, farm-based enterprises need to be
District. The district has been purposefully
promoted, strengthened and linked to potential
selected due to the availability of data base
markets. This requires support structures that are
rarely in place. The government should provide relating to organic farmers. Department of
guidelines and support to improve transport Agriculture has documented details relating to
facilities, access to information, training, local the growers who are practicing organic farming
marketing systems, etc. in the district namely selected H.D.Kote.
Department of Agriculture and MYRADA has
Education initial several programmes to provide training in
Organic agriculture should become part of the organic farming. H. D. Kote have been selected
agricultural curriculum. Professional degrees in for the present study, as the concentration of
organic agriculture should be offered at organic growers is more in this Taluk.
universities to meet the demand for qualified
Sample Size
specialists.
The 50 organic producers were selected for the
CROPPING PATTERN IN MYSORE DISTRICT study and by administering the questionnaire the
Cropping pattern means the proportion of area primary data has been collected through personal
under various crops at a given period of the observation and Interview in the study area.
time. Cropping pattern differs from macro to
micro regions both in area and time and it is RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
largely governed by the physical, culture and Table1. Educational Status of Farmers in study area
technological factors. No. of
Particulars Percentage
Mysore district is a dry area in general as it lies Respondent
Illiterates 25 50.0
in the rain – shadow region of the Western Primary 11 22.0
Ghats. Wet crops like sugarcane and rice occupy Higher Secondary 11 22.0
lesser area when the compared to dry like ragi, Graduates 3 6.0
groundnut, jowar and mulberry. But in the Total 50 100.0
recent years ht area under wet crops in slightly Source: Primary Survey, 2017
increasing because of increase in irrigation
facilities. The areas under different crops is
given in table 3.4 It can be seen from the Table
3.6 that the district has 20.4 per cent of the area
under Paddy. Ragi is another important Cereal
product in the district. Area under cereals
constitute 40.8 per cent of the total area under
all crops. Pulses are also important crop in the
district with 20.6 per cent of the cropped area
under pulses. Non-food crops have major share in
H.D Kote, Hunsur and Periyapatna. T. Narasipura.
K. R Nagar and Nanjangud are mainly paddy
growing areas. Pulsed, Ragi and other non-food
crops are mainly grown in Mysore.
OBJECTIVES Figure1. Level of education of respondents
 To study the present scenario of organic The above table 1 reveals that the educational
farming in the study area. status of the sample farmers in the study area.
Out of 50 farmers, 25 (50.0) percent are illiterate,

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

and remaining 50 percent are literate out of that

(11) 22.0 percent farmers are studied up to 7th
standard, (11) 22.0 are obtained Higher Secondary
education level and only (3) 6.0 percentage of
farmers obtained Graduate level of Education. It
indicate present situation only those who are
illiterate and Primary and Secondary level farmers
are involving in organic farming and suggested
thing is to if more educational people are involve
in Organic Farming it useful to understanding the
things of Cropping Pattern and method of
Cultivation and easily understanding the facts in
training programmes and also they may adopt
technology if they are literate people. Figure3. Family Size of Respondents
Table2. Income status of Farmers in study area The table 3 shows that the Family Size of the
samples farmers in the study area. Out of the 50
No. of respondents (39) 78 percent of farmers are come
Income level Percentage
Respondents
under 1 to 5 size of family, (10) 20 percent of
10,000 to 50,000 37 74
50,000 to 1,00,000 10 20 farmers having 5 to 10 size of family. (1) 2
1,00,000 to 1,50,000 3 6 percent size of family is involving in organic
Total 50 100 farming. The above table depicts people who are
1 to 5 size of family farmers are adopting
organic farming, but in organic farming suitable
for family size more than 5 and above because
of it can save labour cost.
Table4. Occupations of the Farmers in the study area
No. of
Particulars Particulars
Respondent
Agriculture 49 98.0
Subsidiary 1 2.0
Total 50 100.0
Source: Primary Survey, 2017

Figure2. Income level of Farmers, 2017

The table and figure 2 clearly shows that income
of sample farmers in the study area. In level of
income of farmers the range of (10,000 to 50,000)
74 percent had found, the range of (50,000 to
1,00,000) 20 percent of farmers having annual
income in the study area, and only (1,00,000 to
1,50,000) 6 percent farmers are found in the
study area. This shows status and standards of
Figure4. Occupation of the Farmers
living of the family, and it conclude those Low
income groups‟ people are engaging in Organic The table 4 reveals that out of 50 samples of the
farmers in the study area. Out that (49) 98
Farming in the study area and for the Successful
percent of the respondents are involving in
Organic farming huge investment are needed.
Agriculture as Major Occupation for their
Table3. Family size of the Farmers in study area sustainability of life, only (1) 2 percent are
involving them in some other work such as
Particulars No. of Respondent Percentage
1 to 5 39 78 carpenter, daily labor, Bar Bar and other work
5 to 10 10 20 as subsidiary Occupation. It found that No one
10 & Above 1 2 is purposefully engaging in Organic farming in
Total 50 100 the study area.
Source: Primary Survey, 2017

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

Table5. Land Holdings of farmers in the study area The table and figure 6 reveals that the source of
No. of irrigation sample farmers in the study area. It
Particulars Respondent Percentage shows that (38) 76 percent of the respondents
0.5 to 1 5 10.0 are depends on Rain fed, (11) 22 percent of
1 to 2 13 26.0 farmers on Bore Well and remaining (1) 2 per
2 to 3 13 26.0 cent of the farmers are depends on Ponds. It
3 to 4 10 20.0 clearly mentions that the farmers are facing the
4 t0 5 4 8.0 problem of irrigation in the study area. And they
>5 5 10.0 expect the irrigation facilities for promoting of
Total 50 100.0 organic farming by the Govt.
Source: Primary Survey, 2017 Table7. Types of Irrigation in the study area
Particulars No. of Respondents Percentage
Not having 39 78.0
Flood
Irrigation 2 4.0
Sprinkler 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Source: Primary Data, 2017

Figure5. Land Holdings of the farmers

The table and figure 1.5 indicate that land
holding in the study area. It clearly shows that
(0.5 to 1) of 10, (1 to 2) of 26, (2 to 3) of 26, (3
to 4) of 20, (4 to 5) of 8, above five 10 percent
of land holding in respectively. The low land
holding in the study area because of testing the Figure7. Type of irrigation
yield and high land holding because of perhaps The table and graph 7 shows that 78 per cent of
Training by MYRADA. It clearly shows that the respondent are not having any kind of irrigation
small and marginal farmer are cultivating or in the study area, 18 per cent of farmers are
practicing the organic farming. And only few having Sprinkler irrigation, 4 per cent of farmers
people are engaging in organic farming in the are obtained Flood irrigation and no one found
study area. in the drip irrigation segment. it clearly indicate
Table6. Source of Irrigation in the study area that depends on Rain Fed is cause for weeds
No. of growing easily, and also indicate more water
Particulars Respondents Percentage will waste in flood irrigation perhaps we save
Bore well 11 22.0 water if we can adopt drip irrigation.
Ponds 1 2.0
Rain fed 38 76.0
Total 50 100.0
Source: Primary Survey, 2017

Figure6. Source of Irrigation Figure8. Reason for growing organic crops

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

Table8. Reason for growing Organic crops Table10. Problems in Organic Farming
No. of No. of
Particulars Percentage Problems Percentage
Respondents Respondents
Training by Weeds 26 52.0
16 32.0
MYRADA Irrigation 11 22.0
Soil Fertility Mgt 4 8.0 Wild Animals 10 20.0
Environment Crop decease 1 2.0
1 2.0
protection Labour 1 2.0
Low cost of Certified Inputs 1 2.0
25 50.0
cultivation Total 50 100.0
Healthy & Tasty
2 4.0 Source: Primary Survey, 2017
Food
Family attitude 2 4.0
Total 50 100.0
Source: Primary Survey, 2017
The table and figure 8 reveals that reason for
growing organic crops of sample in study area.
It clearly indicate (16) of 32 percent of
respondent due to training by MYRADA, (4) of
8 percent for soil fertility management, (1) of 2 Figure10. Problems in Organic Farming in study area
percent for Environment protection, (25) of 50 The table and figure 10 reveals that problems in
percent of people due to Low cost of cultivation, Organic Farming samples respond by sample
(2) of 4 percent are for Healthy and tasty food, farmers in the study area. The above table
and lastly (2) of 4 percent of farmers are represents clearly out of 50 respondents facing
growing for Family attitude. It summarize the deferent kinds of problems such as (26) of 52
things most of people who are involved in percent weeds , (11) of 22 percent irrigation,
organic farming they may having the lack of (10) of 20 percent Wild Animals attack on
Investment. crops, (1) of 2 percent is Crop decease, (1) of 2
percent is labor, and (1) of 2 percent facing the
Table9. Motivational Factors to Farmers problems of above respective problems. And it
No. of indicate comparatively weeds are major problem
Particulars Result in Organic farming other than Non-Organic
Respondents
Own 1 2.0 Farming, because in modern farming use the
MYRADA 49 98.0 pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and other can
Total 50 100.0 be used, but in organic farming also using of
Source: Survey Data, 2017 pesticides but which are certified as organic
manure and not affect the soil, these organic
manures are not that much effective to avoid the
weeds.
Table11. Remedial measures solve the problems
No. of
Remedial measures Percentage
Respondents
Crop Rotation 42 84.0
Hand Weeding 6 12.0
Use of Certified Seeds 2 4.0
Figure9. Motivational Factor for Organic farmers Total 50 100.0
Source: Primary Survey, 2017
Table 8 and figure 9 represents Motivational
factor for cultivating organic farming in the
study area. (49) 98 percent of the farmers are
cultivating organic farming because of promoted
by MYRADA, only (1) 2 percent of farmers are
growing by their own and by the family attitude.
It indicate if any policy can made for promoting
of organic farming by any Govt. or NGO‟s we
may bring No. of farmers into Organic Farming. Figure11. Remedial measures solve the problems

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

The table 11 shows remedial measures for solve  Motivational factor of farmers to cultivating
the problems of problems of samples drawn in organic farming in the study area KABINI
the Study area. Out of 50 sample drawn (42) of organic farmers producers‟ Pvt. Ltd.,
84 percent Crop Rotation, (6) of 12 percent (MYRADA) it constitute of more than ninety
Hand weeding, and (2) of 4 percent farmers are five per cent. It indicate if any policy can
using Certified Organic Manures for Avoid the made for promoting of organic farming by
above coated problems. It indicating farmers are any Govt. or NGO‟s we may bring more
go through the traditional system because of number of organic farmers into organic
may be lack of investment for adopt the agriculture.
technology like adopt drip irrigation for avoid  Cost of cultivation: economic performance
the weeds in the crop area, also in the study area of any system could be analyzed the costs
farmers facing irrigation problems. and the returns. In the present study cost of
Table12. Major buyers for organic crops cultivation is less comparatively with
(Secondary data) modern farming system,
Buyers No. of Respondents Percentage
MYRADA 47 94.0 and the yield of organic farming is less in
Others 3 6.0 conversion stages and after three to five
Total 50 100.0 years the yield will be double than modern
farming system.
 The demand factor of organic is gradually
increasing in the study area due to more
people are having health consciousness.
 Existing marketing arrangements: in the 4th
chapter, an attempt to understand who are the
consumers, who are the demanding organic
commodities, why they are purchasing, their
Figure12. Major buyers for organic crops in the study willingness to pay higher price and the
area
opinions of these consumers to improve the
The table 12 and figure 12 reveals that the system. This helps in suggesting suitable
Major buyer for the Organic Products of the policy measures in order to develop an
sample farmers in the study area. That shows organized marketing system which acts as an
out of 50 of 100 percent, MYRADA can intensive to producers.
purchase of 47 of 94 percent and remaining of
the products are purchased by others like
SUGGESTIONS
Tamilnadu buyers and local buyers has  The study clearly shows the economic
purchase in the study area. It indicates for profitability of organic farming. But it is true
organic products specific buyer will need. in the case of farms which were converted
from modern to organic farming around more
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
than five to six years and it is applicable to
 Educational background of the farmers the ecosystem with assured irrigation. It is
shows that there are fifty per cent of the necessary to initiate in depth farm level
farmers are studied primary and secondary studies of this nature in different agro
level of education and other fifty per cent of climatic conditions and those farm which are
the farmers are illiterate among those in the initial stage of transition to understand
practicing organic farming. the economic profitability at those levels.
 Majority of organic growers has 4 to 5 range This helps in designing appropriate support
of family members and only few of having policies for promoting organic farming on a
more than ten members in a family. It shows large scale under different agro-climacteric
that more employment opportunity provided conditions. Such research should be initiated
by organic farming system. by agricultural research institutions.
 Low level of income group farmers are  It has been observed that cost of cultivation
involve in the organic farming, shows that under organic farming is high in transition
status and standards of living of the family, stage, though the farm Business Income from
and it conclude those low income groups ecological agriculture is more due to higher
farmers are engaging in organic farming in yield and price. It is mainly due to the
the study area and for the successful organic purchase of organic manure by the growers.
farming need huge investment. Efforts should be made to encourage farmers

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Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in Mysore District, Karnataka

to keep livestock to produce on farm organic in terms of both agriculture's contribution to

inputs in order to reduce the cost of organic biodiversity and biodiversity's contribution to
manures. agriculture. People's consciousness towards
 Another important observation of the study is healthy food, ecology and pollution free
that only those growers who have other environment through conventional farming has
sources of income and those who can easily encouraged them in practicing organic farming.
absorb the reduction in yield are converting Organic agriculture used to be a way of life in
to organic agriculture. In order to encourage India, a tradition which for centuries has shaped
more growers to convert support is to the thought, the outlook, the culture and
providing to absorb the effects of decrease in economic life of its people. Prior to independence
yield in the initial years. Providing subsidized and till two decades later a majority of the Indian
organic inputs, price support are some of the farmers were unaware of the use of fertilizers
options. for plant nutrition and pesticides for control of
pests and diseases. In fact, it was all holistic
 Training is another important factor
agriculture then and the majority of farmers
influencing farmers to attain technical
were cultivating in this way. However, to feed
efficiency in production and get higher
the ever-growing population of the country, it
income. It helps in optional utilization of
was felt necessary to rapidly increase the
resources.
production of food grains. Thus, to achieve self
 Certification is an important aspects of sufficiency in food, dams and irrigation systems
organic products. Despite several efforts of were put in place, use of external inputs like
the state government, producers are not seedsof high yielding varieties of crops,
getting certification for their produce because, chemical fertilizers and plant protection
according to them, it is a difficult process chemicals were developed and made available.
and expensive. Organic agriculture recognizes that crop rotation
 Agriculture policy of Karnataka envisaged and an intensive partnership with animal
the involvement of NGOs in promotion of husbandry is important to maintain the
organic farming in the state. Though NGOs ecosystem balance. Organic farming aims at
have several advantages, it is necessary to production of quality and safe agricultural
improve the capacity of these institutions. products which contain no chemical residues,
Technical training is to be given to before following ecofriendly production methods and
assigning the responsibilities. the farming systems that restore and maintain
 Remunerative price acts as an economic soil fertility.
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Citation: H. M. Chandrashekar. "Organic Farming and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: A Study in

Mysuru District, Karnataka” International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management, vol 4,
no. 9, 2017, pp. 28-38.
Copyright: © 2017 H. M. Chandrashekar. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management V4 ● I11 ● 2017 38