The role of demographic factors in adopting organic farming: A logistic model approach

Organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs to the maximum extent feasible and rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste (USDA).Despite numerous benefits of organic agriculture like environment, ecological and social, economic empowerment is one of the key challenges for the farmers to convert their farming. Sustainable livelihoods of the marginal and small farmers can be merely improved by strengthening their economic condition. This study examines the role of various socio-demographic factors in adopting organic farming. The fieldwork was carried in Nalanda district of Bihar where recently farmers has set a new world record in potato production i.e., 108.8 tonnes compare to 45 tonnes per hectares by Netherland. The primary data was collected through structured questionnaire consisting of total 160 marginal organic and conventional farmers. Logistic regression model has been applied to identify the factors influencing farmers to move towards organic farming. It revealed that educational attainment, age of the farmers and gender has positively influenced. However, family size and land ownership did not influence much. It is found that economic condition of organic farmers has been strengthened significantly which resulted better livelihood condition and training provided by the government to the farmers resulted more self-reliant and confident individuals. Organic farming creates atmosphere to face various challenges of marginal and small farmers.