Bhogal, T.S.Chauhan, Parul2019-11-292019-11-292005-06http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810136453Agriculture has to play a strategic role in the process of economic development of a country by meeting the food requirement of growing population not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Agriculture sector contributes a major portion of gross production in India. In spite of this agriculture today is finding itself in increasing difficulties. The adverse impact on agriculture based on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides is visible in the degradation of soil fertility quality of food etc. Organic farming may prove to be a boon to curb these adverse effects. In spite of declaration of organic state, the present level of adoption of organic farming in the state of Uttaranchal is not encouraging. The present study was conducted in Dehardun district of Uttaranchal with the objectives : i) To study present scenario about the adoption and awareness of organic farming in the study area. Ii) To perform economic analysis of major crops grown under organic farming vis-à-vis non organic. Iii) To study opportunities and challenges in organic farming. Iv) To assess consumers’ awareness and willingness to pay for organic products. Simple statistical tools like means and percentages etc. were used to achieve various objectives of the study wherever needed. The economics of different crops grown organically and non organically was worked out using various cost concept described by Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices. The results revealed that adoption status was fairly good as 44 per cent of sample farmers were engaged in organic farming in the study area. Sample farmers practicing organic farming were aware of the basic facts related with organic farming as its sustainability, non permissibility of chemical fertilizers and other technological information. While the farmers not practicing organic farming were not fully aware of methodology of organic farming. For organic paddy Cost A1 & C3 were Rs. 18495.00 & Rs. 32421.00 and for non organic paddy Rs. 18800 & Rs. 36892. The yield from organic and non organic paddy were 25 qt/ha and 32 qt/ha respectively. However farmers realized relatively higher prices for organic paddy(Rs.1350 &1150 q\ha for organic non organic paddy respectively). Net returns over Cost A1 & C3 from organic and non organic paddy were Rs. 17130.00 & Rs. 3204.00 and Rs. 20485.00 & Rs. 2393 respectively. For organic wheat and non organic wheat Cost A1 & C3 were Rs. 8264.00 & 18408.00 and Rs. 11956.00 & 23654.00 respectively. The net returns over cost A1 & C3 for organic and non organic wheat were Rs. 10416.00 & Rs. 272.00 and Rs. 12769.00 & Rs. 1071.00. The yield was lower for organic wheat(19 q\ha) than non organic(28 q\ha). The prices difference of organic wheat (Rs. 860\ Q.) and non organic (Rs. 766\ Q) were not much distant. Hence growing organic paddy was more profitable than growing organic wheat. The major challenges listed by sample farmers in the adoption of organic farming were unavailability of local buyers, availability of cheaper alternatives, not a consumers’ priority, non-availability of certified seeds, information and proper irrigation. The consumers were fully aware of merits of organic farming, but were not willing to purchase due to high price and difficulty in ensuring genuineness in the market. They were willing to increase the consumption of organic products at the most if the organic products are available at lower prices then the prevailing one and genuineness is ensured. Strengthening input supply system, development of infrastructural facilities, proper technology dissemination, integrated with proper extension services are the important policy implications emerged from the study for making organic farming a profitable & attractive venture in the state.ennullThesis