Conversion from non-organic to organic dairy farming – farmers’ constraints and redressal

Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic compounded fertilizers, pesticide, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Though organic farming has many advantages like food safety, environmental and health issues and quality, conversion to organic dairy farming is meager and negligible, so it is important to identify drivers and the barriers affecting the decision in favour of organic dairy farming. This paper focuses on listing the constraints faced by the farmers in conversion to organic dairy farming as; ‘non-existence of an adequate extension support to dairy farmers in converting to ODF’ (94.17%), ‘lack of knowledge about conversion plan details (90.83%)’, ‘lack of knowledge about the maintenance of records (90.00%)’ and ‘stakeholders are not aware of certification norms (83.33%)’ were ranked as I, II, III and IV respectively. Suggestions to overcome constraints faced by the respondents were ranked according to their response and highest rank was allotted to ‘providing incentives in the form of natural inputs like fodder, proper guidance and regular monitoring (91.67%)’, II and III ranks were given to ‘complete integrated farming system’s package of practices should be developed and promoted (81.67%)’ and ‘promoting ODF with integrated farming system to reduce cost of cultivation (79.17%)’ respectively.