Managing the Transformation of Traditional to Organic Agriculture in Pune District: A Long Term Policy Framework

Abstract

Organic farming is a natural method of cultivation of farms. It improves soil fertility, environment, health of animals and human being. Due to green revolution and commercialisation of agriculture, farmers have focused more on yield and output of all crops. Farmers are using chemical fertilisers and pesticides for high yields, big size, good shape and colour of fruits, grains and vegetables. The aim of this study is to understand effect of chemical fertilisers on the crops, surrounding environment, soil fertility, health of animals and people in Pune district. The present study finds that the farmers of Pune district are using dung, poultry manure and chemical fertilisers. Those farmers are using the poultry manure have more physical and animal assets, land holding, irrigation facilities, expenditure on health, education, income and education and experience of farmers. The multinomial logit regression result shows that those farmers are using the chemical fertilisers have less education, age, irrigated land. Women are less educated in such families. The use of chemical fertilisers have adverse effect on soil fertility, soil layers’, health of people and animals in district. Therefore, present study suggests to reduce the use of the chemical fertilisers for commercial crops. The state and central government, NGO’s, researchers and organisations must come together to manage and form a policy to reduce the chemical fertilisers use and increase the use of organic pesticides, fertilisers. Women’s education can play significant role in reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in state. The availability of more credit facilities through banks, awareness through media, exports and domestic markets for organic products and encouragement to farmers to produce only organic products will help in this direction. In order to protect soil fertility, environment, water and air such policies are urgently required in India. For sustainable agriculture and economic growth, organic farming is most important.