Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

Agriculture is a vital and most productive sector of Indian economy contributing 25 per cent of GDP and employing 65 per cent of country’s work force. In the recent past, Indian agriculture has been poised for transformation in the context of globalization, liberalization and privatization. At the same time, the awareness of the consumer is increasing, who is focal point in the present competitive world. The quality of food is a matter of concern as the modem technology in crop production with the use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers in agriculture has resulted in residues. The standard analytical techniques are being developed rapidly so that more and more residues are detected. Thus, the modern agriculture is posing a global challenge for achieving sustainable development and clean environment.

The farming community and scientific fraternity are looking for the alternatives like organic farming and other holistic approaches with environmentally beneficial practices including the elimination of synthetic chemicals which is receiving considerable attention. In fact, consumers are increasingly demanding environment friendly and healthy foods. India is developing organic farming as an approach for sustainable agriculture, taking into consideration both environmental

concerns and the growing global organic produce market. However, there are obstacles to adopt these holistic approaches in farming. The basic constraints are related to potential yield reduction, cost of conversion and institutional support. The conversion to organic farming can have serious repercussions on food security and lively hoods of marginal and small farmers and farm laborers. Meeting the challenges posed in adopting organic farming involves change in the pattern of public investment and institutional arrangement.

The sustainable agriculture including organic farming is yet to take center stage in agriculture production in India despite agricultural policies waxing eloquent on promoting sustainable farming practices. In the absence of adequate policy support for sustainable and organic farming small farmers are likely to suffer because of high cost of shifting from present farming practices to sustainable one. The result is that much of the small farming system remains much below expectation as low use of chemical inputs is by default rather than part of a systematic choice. Consequently, there is sustained low productivity with continued land degradation due to unscientific farming practices that adhere neither to the recommended practices for chemical use nor for organic and sustainable farming practices. Thus, it is high time for agricultural extension to play its significant role in; creating awareness on various alternatives in farming for sustainable development, also in building motivated human resource to promote organic farming and to have strong institutional arrangements.

This book covers important topics on various alternatives in farming for sustainable development with special emphasis on organic farming.

It also covers extension strategies in promoting organic farming, entrepreneurial competencies, HRD techniques and policy recommendations evolved through interaction among practicing organic farmers, scientists and NGO personnel.

We are sure the book will be of immense use to planners, administrators, extension workers and all those striving for sustainable development through various alternatives in farming with due concern to environment.

 

CONTENTS

S. No.	Title	Page
Preface		3
About the book		4
About the Editor		6
Our Contributors		8
CHAPTER
1.	Policy issues in organic farming	17
2.	Human resources management: Concepts and Approaches	33
3.	Global scenario of organic farming	39
4.	Relevance of organic farming to Indian agriculture	43
5.	Organic farming – concept, components and practices	50
6.	Principles and practices of organic farming	63
7.	Cropping systems for organic farming	76
8.	Role of Microorganisms (Biofertilizers) In Organic Farming	84
9.	Vermi-technology	89
10.	Solid waste management	101
11.	Environmental aspects of fertilizer use	104
12.	Research advances in organic farming	110
13.	Strategic management: Concepts and Approaches	126
14.	Concept of human resource dev. and its importance in org	132
15.	Human resource deveiopment in the new economic environment	136
16.	Effective communication for human resource deveiopment	140
17.	Empowerment of rural women and organic farming	147
18.	Contemporary challenges in organic farming	151
19.	Extension strategies for diffusion of organic farming	155
20.	Role of participatory rural appraisal for promotion	164
21.	Farmers Field School (FFS)	167
22.	Participatory technology development in organic farming	171
23.	Multimedia – Appropriate tool for promotion of organic farming	177
24.	Team building : Concept and Approaches	183
25.	Leadership in promotion of organic farming	186
26.	Role of creativity and decision making in promoting	188
27.	Group dynamics – an effective tool for promotion	199
28.	Training need assessment in organic farming	220
29.	Use of farm magazine for promotion of organic farming	226
30.	Source of involvement and Job satisfaction	230
31.	Work motivation	234
32.	Entrepreneurial competencies	238
33.	Use of organic practices in enhancing crop productivity- experiences of CBTMCP	244
34.	Role of NGO in organic farming	249
35.	Net working and organic farming	256
36.	Market intelligence for promotion of organic products	264
37.	Organic farming	270
38.	Nutritional value of organic foods	276
39.	Value addition to organic products	281
40.	SREP approach for promoting organic farming	285
Subject Index		290

 

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Dr. L.V. HIREVENKANAGOUDAR, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka has wide range of contacts

and exposures due to his visits to several foreign countries viz., USA, Mexico, France, South Africa and United Kingdom. He has participated in several national and international seminars, workshops and conferences. He has guided 15 M. Sc. and 10 Ph.D. students.

He has successfully organized a national seminar on Contemporary Challenges for Indian Agriculture and Rural Development and two winter schools viz., Extension Strategies For Human Resource Development In the context of Globalization of Agriculture and Appropriate Extension Strategies For Promotion of Organic Farming.

He is recipient of Best Extension Worker Award of UAS, Dharwad and Indira Priyadarshini Award. He is on the Research Board of Advisors 2000 for The American Biographical Institute, U.S.A. He has published over 125 research papers and 250 popular articles and eight books which includes “Extension Teaching Methods and Communication Technology”, “Extension Approaches for Agriculture and Rural Development” and “Extension Strategies For Human Resource Development”. He is life member of several scientific and statutory bodies and closely associated with many voluntary organizations for the cause of agriculture and rural development. He is specialized in Human Resource Development, Administration, Management and Livelihood strategies.

Dr. L. MANJUNATH, Associate Professor of Agril. Extension, UAS, Dharwad has vast teaching experience, guided 17 M.Sc. students and published over 100 research papers, 120 popular articles, seven books and eight poems. He has received FUWAIaward from the United Writers Association, Chennai. He has participated in many national level training programmes and seminars. He is life member of many scientific journals and several organizations engaged in cultural and rural development. He is specialized in the areas of Agricultural Journalism, human resource development and transfer of technology. Presently, he is working in the publication center of the University.

Dr. J.G. ANGADI, Associate Professor of Agril. Extension, UAS, Dharwad has vast teaching experience, guided many M.Sc. students and published several research papers and popular articles. He has also edited a book. He has participated in many national level training programmes and seminars. He is the life member of several scientific journals and societies. He is specialized in communication and transfer of technology.

Dr. D.M. CHANDARGI, Associate Professor of Agril. Extension, UAS, Dharwad has vast teaching experience, guided many M.Sc. students, published several research papers and popular articles.

He has participated in many national level training programmes and seminars. He is the life member of several scientific journals and societies. He is specialized in leadership and transfer of technology. He has edited two books and published over 50 research papers. He has wide exposure to various national and international organizations and has visited Canada and US under collaborative research activity.

Shri. K.A. JAHAGIRDAR, Assistant Professor of Agril. Extension, UAS, Dharwad has vast teaching experience, guided many M.Sc. students, published several research papers, popular articles and edited one book. He is recipient of India Millennium 2000 Award. He did his post graduation in International Institute of Management, Flenceberg University, Germany. He has participated in many national and international seminars, conferences and summer schools. He is the life member of several scientific journals and societies. He has wide exposure to various national and international organizations and has visited Germany, France, Switzerland and Bangkok. He is

specialized in information Communication Technologies (ICT) and transfer of technology.