Organic Sugarcane Farming for Sustainable Agriculture in Kolhapur District of Western Maharashtra
2013
Jadhav, M.S. | Bondar, U.S. | Gawade, B.B. | Suryawanshi, R.R.
The paper has studied organic and inorganic sugarcane farming (ISF) in the state of Maharashtra in terms of costs, yields, returns and net profit. The organic sugarcane farming (OSF) has been examined with respect to important sustainability indicators such as conservation of soil, water, power and farmer's income and livelihood security. The study is based on the data collected from 60 cultivators (30 from OSF + 30 ISF) of sugarcane in Kolhapur district for the crop grown during 2012–13 agricultural year. The study has observed that the per hectare resource use was higher in ISF than in OSF. The organic farmers could save in costs on human labour (3.1%), seed (1.1%), fertilizer (7.9%) plant protection (1.8%) and irrigation (0.3%) as compared to the inorganic sugarcane cultivators. Although the yield of sugarcane was found less in OSF than ISF, the profit was higher in the former because of savings in input costs, the highest being in labour and fertilizer. The OSF has substantial potential in reducing the use of water for irrigation. Therefore, organic sugarcane cultivation is a sustainable cropping system and should be disseminated widely in the state.
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