A Socio-Economic Profile Analysis of Organic Paddy Farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased consumer health consciousness, driving demand for organic paddy and prompting farmers in Andhra Pradesh to adopt certified organic paddy cultivation. The study was conducted in 2023 using ex-post facto research design in Nellore, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram districts aimed at developing sustainability index through data collected from 200 organic paddy farmers by stratified random sampling. The findings indicate that these farmers were predominantly middle-aged (53%), moderately educated (53% with medium educational years), and experienced in farming (59.5% with medium experience, averaging 25.22 years). They typically operate small (39%) to marginal (33.5%) land holdings, with limited annual family income (88.5% low income, averaging ₹5,11,702.60). Farmers exhibited moderate levels of social participation (67% medium), mass media exposure (63.5% medium), extension contact (65.5% medium), scientific orientation (58% medium), innovativeness (60% medium), and resilience (56% medium). Cropping intensity was largely low to medium (59% medium, 40.5% low, averaging 159%). A significant observation was the minimal formal training received, with 61% of respondents having undergone no training, and farmers reported medium exposure to climate variability (48% medium). This comprehensive profile provides essential baseline data on the demographic, socio-economic, and personal characteristics of organic paddy farmers in Andhra Pradesh, laying a foundation for future comparative studies and policy planning in the organic farming sector.