Analyzing the cost of production and farmers' perception of Jeevamrut: An insight into an organic farming solution

Abstract

The study was conducted in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The farmers practicing Jeevamruta production and its application were purposively selected for the study. A total of 50 farmers, comprising 25 from Sirsi and 25 from Yellapura talukas, were selected for the study. The major components in the production of a drum of Jeevamrut of 200 liters were cow dung (10 kg), cow urine (10 liters), jaggery (2 kg), pulse flour (2 kg), bio-agent (1 kg), labor (1) and water (200 liters). The study found that the cost of production of 200 liters of Jeevamrut was `900, which was sufficient to cover an acre of land. Farmers opined that they apply Jeevamrut for 4 times in the case of cereals and 8 times for vegetable crops. The majorityof the farmers were of the opinion that Jeevamrut was cost-effective compared to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, environmentally friendly, enhanced soil health, and promoted microbial activity. Regular use of Jeevamrut resulted in an increase in crop yields and better management of pests and diseases.Constraints faced by farmers in marketing organic produce were lack of consumer trust, absence of a specific market for organic produce, inadequate price premiums for organic produce, absence of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for organic produce, and lack of information regarding organic products price.