Economic Viability of Organic Farming: An Empirical Experience of Vegetable Cultivation in Karnataka

The present study was conducted in Belgaum District of Karnataka, India. To know the viability of organic vegetable cultivation, a sample of 30 farmers each practicing organic cultivation of tomato and chilli and 30 farmers each practicing non-organic cultivation of tomato and chilli were selected randomly for the study. The data so collected were analysed using budgeting technique and output decomposition technique. The study revealed that, even though per acre cost of cultivation and yield of both crops on organic farms was less than non-organic farms but the B: C ratio was found higher in organic farms. The outcome of decomposition analysis revealed that in case of both the crops, organic farming technology was the major contributing factor for increase in income of the organic growers over the non-organic growers. Hence it is advisable for the farmers to switch over to organic farming which is environmental friendly and cost effective.