International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 9 Issue 2(1), February 2019, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‟s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A People’s awareness towards Organic food in the Motihari district of Bihar Anamika Kumari Abstract Organic Food is food grown organically without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Interest in Organic Food has increased worldwide in response to concerns about conventional agricultural practices and Human health. Consumer perceives organic products containing more nutrients including vitamins and minerals than conventionally produced food. The objective of this study was to present an update of the Consumer‟s awareness of organic food and the availability of organic food in Motihari district of Bihar. The result indicates a Nutrition Health consciousness makes people aware about organic food. This research has indicated that the nutritional importance of organic food & farming. Keywords:- Organic Food, Consumer, Organic farming, Health consciousness, Awareness. Background The term „Organic‟ is rooted from Greek‟ bios‟ meaning life or way of living.Organic food products was first coined in the 1940s and refers to the food raised ,grown & stored or processed without the use of synthetically produced chemicals or fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides ,fungicides growth hormones and regulators of generic modification. Organic products are obtained by processes friendly to environment that promotes and enhances bio-diversity, biological cycle and soil biological activity. A wide range of consumers of organic food and non organic food were addressed and scrutinized to obtain their observations and vision towards organic food. All organic food consumers are not having the same method of approach towards organic food. The advantages of organic food include:- .Rich in nutrients:-According to the State of Science Review done in 2008, organic food has more nutritional superiority than its non organic counterparts. More safe & Hygenic:- No pesticides, chemical, or processed additives bogging down your system means a smaller risk of disease in yourself. It maintains a healthy life. Better in Taste:- Need of organic food Of late as harmful effects of the increasing use of chemicals in farming are becoming obvious and apparent, environmentalists and health professionals are flagging many of these concerns .Ever since the environmentalists began increasing the awareness, consumer‟s tastes and preferences have started shifting, which have led to the domestic as well as global rise in the demand for Organic products today. Many people are getting health consciousness and are shifting to a disciplined and healthy life style. People want to have chemical free food on their plate hence there is extreme need to Go Organic. There is great need to promote organic and compost farming & its practices in the country to save the fertility of the agricultural lands. J. S. Sandhu, Agricultural Commissioner, and Research Scholar, P. G. Department of Home Science, B. R. A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur Bihar 1 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 9 Issue 2(1), February 2019, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‟s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A Government of India, after visiting East Champaran along with Senior State Agricultural department, said:-At present it is being practiced in 12 states and it is high time that it starts on a massive scale in Bihar because the soil of Bihar, especially in North Bihar is the better condition than other state. Organic farming Organic farming is a system, which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers ,pesticides ,hormones, feed additives etc.) and to the maximum extend feasible upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection. Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many Nations, based in large part of the standards set by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM), an international umbrella organization for organic farming organizations established in 1972. Objectives 1. To know the level of awareness towards organic food. 2. To examine the availability of Organic food in local market 3. To contribute the valuable suggestion for policy implications. Methodology 1. Survey Method and Research Design 2. Questionnaire development 3. Construct description 4. Sample Profile Survey Method & Research Design:- A structured questionnaire having 40 questions were used for collecting the data. Convenience sampling and simple random sampling methods were used for collecting the data. The districts East Champaran (Motihari) was chosen for data collection by convenience sampling method. Both Urban & Rural people are considered as respondents. Questionnaire as printed paper were distributed among, and collected after answering. Total 100 respondents were chosen for survey. Questionnaire Development:- On the basis of study about organic food, it is shown that consumer‟s preference towards organic food is influenced by various factors such as- availability, culture, knowledge, personal intrinsic and extrinsic factors used in the current study, comprise of variables that measures the above stated factors. Previous section of questionnaire contains demographical information and health consciousness, healthy lifestyle, attitude towards organic food and later contains consumer awareness, sources of getting nutritional information etc. Construct Description:- Some questions were dichotomous, while five point lickert scale was used for measuring variables. Response option was distributed on-quality, frequency, agreement and likelihood. Sample Profile:- A total 90 completely answered questionnaire were found out of 100. Although 10 people returned ill filled questionnaire or without answering all questions. Limitations of the study 1. The research was not wide since it is confined to selected place of motihari district, so result can not be universally accepted. 2. The sample size contains 100 respondents only, so the study is limited and it can not be full proof. 2 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 9 Issue 2(1), February 2019, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‟s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A Result of the study Table:-1 The classification of respondents based on gender:- Sr..No. Gender Respondents Percentage 1. Male 72 80% 2. Female 18 20% Total 90 100% The above table:-1 shows that 80% of respondents were belonging to male while remaining 20% was female. The number of male members was found more in survey. Classification of respondents based on gender Female 20% Male 80% Table:-2 The classification of respondent based on Age Sr. no. Age Respondents Percentage 1 Less than 20 yrs. 10 11% 2 21-30 years 25 28% 3 31-40 years 40 44% 4 41-50 years 10 11% 5 50 years & above 05 06% Total 90 100% The above table:-2 It represents the age group respondents involved. 11% of respondents are less than 20 years, 28% of respondents are in between 21-30 years, 44% 0f respondents are in age between 31-40 years, 11% of respondents are in between 41-50 years, 6% of the respondents are above 50 years out of 90 repondents. The people between 31-40 years are more aware about organic food. 3 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol. 9 Issue 2(1), February 2019, ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell‟s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A The classification of Respondents based on age 50 40 44%3 30 28%2 20 40 25 5 10 11%2 11% 10 10 6% 0 5 Less than 20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years 41-50 years 50 years & above No.of Respondents age group Percentage Table;-3 The classification of respondents based on their qualification. Sr. no. Qualification Respondents Percentage 1 10th 06 07% 2 Intermediate 20 22% 3 Graduation 40 44% 4 PG 20 22% 5 Other 04 05% Total 09 100% The above table:-3 shows that 11% of respondents are having only secondary (10th) education, 22% of respondents are having higher secondary education, 44% of respondents are having graduation, 22% of respondents are having post graduation, rest 5% of respondents are having other qualification out of 90 respondents. The respondents are found conscious about organic products. The classification of Respondents based on education 50 40 44%3 30 5 20 22%2 40 22% 10 20 20 7%2 6 5% 0 4 10th Intermediate Graduation PG Other No. of respondents Qualification Percentage 4 International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Research in Social Sciences Vol.