Economics of Alternative Models of Organic Farming: Empirical Evidences from Zero Budget Natural

Farming and Scientific Organic Farming in West Bengal, India

Journal: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability

Author(s): Nilojyoti Koner; Arindam Laha
Affiliation: Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, The University of Burdwan, Dist-Purba Bardhaman, Burdwan, India
Author Email: konernilojyoti@gmail.com
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
Volume: 19
Issue: 3-4
DOI: 10.1080/14735903.2021.1905346
Keywords: Organic Farming; Zero Budget Natural Farming; Scientific Organic Farming; Organic Cluster; Sustainability; India
EISSN: 1747-762X
Abstract :
This paper envisages the economic viability of two alternative models of organic farming i.e. Zero Budget Natural Farming
(ZBNF) and Scientific Organic Farming. In the empirical survey the study considers two clusters based on the two alternative
organic models (i.e. a ZBNF model in Purulia district and a scientific organic farming model in Burdwan district) in West Bengal,
India. Performance of these models is evaluated by considering three important parameters i.e. cost of cultivation, yield and
income. Evidences reveal that the organic farmers under both models have experienced a reduction in per hectare production cost
and yield for their crops in the post-conversion period. Evidences also suggest that farmers adopting ZBNF model in Purulia were
able to enhance their income, whereas the income reduced significantly for the farmers practicing scientific organic farming in
Burdwan. Moreover, a comparative in–depth analysis of performance is carried out between these two alternative models in order
to identify the factors that can influence their long-term sustainability. Results indicate that long term sustainability of the organic
model is conditioned upon the interplay of agro-climatic conditions and various other socio-economic factors.
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