Farmers Information Needs on Organic Vegetable Farming in Two Agro-climatic Zones of Assam

Abstract

Most farmers are not aware of the various aspects of organic farming of vegetables despite the fact that the state of Assam is “naturally organic by default”. Besides having tremendous potential to grow crops organically, organic farming is yet to taste success in the state of Assam. Information is currently seen by many as the main limiting factor to growth in the organic sector in the state. Hence, there is need to equip the farmers with the necessary information related to the organic cultivation and certification process with respect to important vegetable crops The study was undertaken in North Bank Plains Zone and Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam, primarily to understand farmers’ information needs in relation to organic vegetable production. The study also identified the factors influencing the information needs and constraints as perceived by the farmers in meeting their information needs. A multi-stage, purposive cum proportionate random sampling design was adopted for the study in order to select 120 respondents. The study revealed that majority of the respondents (95.83%) expressed that they need information on inspection and certification process on organic vegetable production, followed by the need for information on soil treatment for organic vegetable production, and on the variety/planting material suitable for organic vegetable production. Findings of correlation analysis indicated that among the 10 independent variables, 6 variables showed significant and positive relationship and 4 variables showed significant and negative relationship with the information needs of farmers in relation to organic vegetable production at 0.01 level of probability. Findings revealed that “lack of knowledge about inspection and certification process of organic vegetable production” was the major constraint faced by the respondents with the highest score (PCI-296) and hence was ranked 1st followed by “Lack of knowledge about market linkages’ (PCI-280) and ‘Lack of access to credit facilities’ (PCI-278) which were ranked 2nd and 3rd important constraints faced by them in meeting their information needs. It implies that NGOs, KVKs, various development workers and extension agencies should put more efforts to modify and channel the information needs of organic vegetable farmers in the desirable direction through their preferred medium.