FACTORS AFFECTING FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE REGARDING ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES

In contemporary times, organic agricultural methodologies stand as the sole remedy for the pervasive issues of soil contamination, compromised crop quality, environmental degradation and human health concerns, offering a pathway towards enduring sustainability. This research investigates the relationship between various variables and the knowledge levels of farmers engaged in organic and non-organic agricultural practices in Jabalpur district. Among twenty eight variables examined, area under organic farming, risk orientation, innovativeness, trainings received on organic farming, experience in organic farming, environment orientation, attitude towards organic farming practices, relative advantages, compatibility, trialability and observability of organic farming practices, farm size, social participation, livestock possession, mass media exposure, information sources, market perception and decision making had positively significant relation with the knowledge of farmers practicing organic farming. Conversely, factors such mass media exposure, information sources, scientific orientation, risk orientation, attitude towards organic farming, market perception, innovativeness, trainings received on organic farming and environment orientation showed positive and significant relationships with the knowledge of farmers practicing non-organic farming. These findings suggest that different variables play key roles in influencing the knowledge levels of farmers in different agricultural practices, providing valuable insights for stakeholders involved in policy-making and promotion of organic farming initiatives.