VISTAS Vol. 7, No. 1, 2018, pp. 57-61 ISSN: 2319-5770, e-ISSN 2394-1138

GREEN FARMING IN : A CASE STUDY OF PARAPPUKKARA PANCHAYAT Roveena Baby* *Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous) , 680121, Kerala, . ABSTRACT Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators. Eco friendly farming is a farming of integration of biological, cultural and natural inputs including integrated disease and pest management practices. It not only advocates for stopping or restricting the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals. But it emphasizes the need for farming which should create an ecological balance and a micro – environment suitable for health and growth of soil micro flora, plants, farm worker and finally the vast population which consume the farm produce.

INTRODUCTION Organic farming is one of the several approaches found to meet the objectives of sustainable agriculture. Many techniques used in organic farming like inter- cropping, mulching and integration of crops and livestock are not alien to various agriculture systems including the traditional agriculture practiced in old countries like India. However organic farming is based on various laws and certification programs. Which prohibit the use of almost all synthetic inputs and health of the soil is recognized as the central theme of the method.

Organic farming is one of the widely used methods, which are thought of as the best alternative to avoid the ill effects of chemical farming. There are several definitions of organic farming and the one given by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considered the most coherent and stringent. It is defined as a system that is designed and maintained to produce agricultural products by the use of methods and substances that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products until they reach the consumer. This is accomplished by using substances, to fulfil any specific fluctuation within the system so as to maintain long term soil biological activity, ensure effective peak management, recycle wastes to return nutrients to the land, provide attentive care for farm animals and handle the

Agricultural products without the use of extraneous synthetic additives or processing in accordance with the act and the regulations in this part.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Green house farming technology is the most revolutionary technology that changed the agricultural industry in India last ten years. After the successful implementation of this technology, the profitability rose considerably and farming became one of the successful and attractive business sectors. The main specialty of greenhouse farming is that it provides maximum yields while utilizing minimum area. Since the products are exotic vegetables, flowers and fruits, prices and market is not big issue. Before the introduction of greenhouse technology, the profit from farming was poor and many young people not interested to get in to this field. So in the context an attempt is made to analyse the green farming in Kerala. 58 ● ISSN: 2319-5770 e-ISSN 2394-1138

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY • To study the socio-economic conditions of the respondents in Parappukarapanchayat.

• To examine the various promotional activities taken by Parappukarapanchayat to promote green farming.

• To analyse economic impact of green marketing to the respondents in Parappukarapanchayat.

METHODOLOGY The validity of any research is based on the systematic method of data collection and analysis. The present study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from the 50 households of Parappukarapanchayat in . Questionnaire method is used to collect information.

The secondary data are collected from journals, panchayat records and articles from other books and internet. Statistical tools like percentage ratio, graphs, diagram, are used to analyse the data.

DATA ANALYSIS Table 1: Classification on the basis of educational status

Education Number of percentage respondents

Below SSLC 12 24

SSLC 17 34

Plus two 16 32

Graduation 4 8

Post-graduation 1 2

total 50 100

Source: sample survey

Table 2: Classification on the basis of income pattern

Income pattern Number of respondents Percentage

Daily 12 24 VISTAS Vol. 6, No. 1 ● 59

Weekly 17 34

Monthly 21 42

Total 50 100

Source: Sample survey

Table 3: Classification on the basis of source of seed

Source of seed Number of Percentage respondents

Panchayat 22 44

Krishibhavan 18 36

Shops 10 20

Others Nil Nil

Total 50 100

Source: Sample survey

Table 4: Classification on the basis of income pattern from green farming

Type Number of respondents Percentage

Daily 18 67

Weekly 4 15

Monthly 5 18

Total 27 100

Source: Sample survey

Figure 5: Classification on the basis of monthly income from green marketing

Monthly income Number of respondents Percentage

Below 1000 7 25

1000-5000 18 67

Above 5000 2 8

Source: Sample survey 60 ● ISSN: 2319-5770 e-ISSN 2394-1138

FINDINGS ➢ Educational status of respondents shows that 32% belongs to SSLC, 32% belongs to plus two, 24% belongs to below SSLC, 8% belongs to Graduation and 2% of respondents belong to Post graduation.

➢ Income pattern of respondents shows that 21 persons get monthly income, 17 persons get weekly income and 12 persons get daily income.

➢ Monthly income reveals that 58% of respondents get income below 10000,14% of respondents get income in between 20000-30000,12% of respondents get income in between 40000-50000,8% of respondents get income in between 10000-20000 and 8% of respondents get income in between 40000-50000.

➢ Source of seed reveals that 44% of respondents collect seed from panchayat, 36% of respondents collect seed from krishibhavan and 20% of respondents collect seed from shops.

➢ Classification on the basis of source of water shows that among 50 respondents 43 persons depends on well and 7 person depend on panchayat pipeline.

➢ Source of fertilizer shows that 48% of respondents collecting fertilizer from shops, 38% collecting from panchayat and 14% of respondents collecting from krishibhavan.

➢ Source of equipment shows that 40% of respondents buy equipment’s from shops, 32% collect equipment from krishibhavan, 24% collects equipment from panchayat and 4% of respondents collect from other sources.

➢ They market their product through shops, houses, kudumbasree etc.

➢ Income pattern from green farming shows that 18% of respondents get monthly income, 15% of respondents get weekly income and 67% of respondents get daily income.

➢ Monthly income from green marketing reveals that 67% of respondents get 1000-5000, 25% of respondents get below 1000 and 8% get above 5000.

CONCLUSION The study on green farming – a case study of Parappukkara Grama Panchayat reveals that green farming shows a growing trend and it is more successful than before because of the help desk provided by Parappukkara Panchayat. The socio economic condition of the respondents shows more satisfactory results. The economic conditions like the ownership of houses, housing conditions, income pattern, saving pattern, asset positions, possession of consumer durables shows a better position. Parappukkara Panchayat is strongly involved in promoting green farming in this area. The Panchayat provide seeds, fertilizer, and equipment on subsidized rate and supply water for cultivation. It also provided motivational classes for farmers. Most of the respondents sell market their products through shops. The monthly income from green marketing of their organic products shows that majority of the respondents get income in between VISTAS Vol. 6, No. 1 ● 61

1000-5000. So it is clear that apart from other occupation, they earn a living through green farming.

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