Overview

Original Research

ECONOMICS OF ORGANIC COFFEE AND PEPPER CULTIVATION IN KERALA

Dr. JOBEN K. ANTONY 1, and Dr. BIJU K.C. 2.

Vol 18, No 07 ( 2023 )   |  DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/C9UPY   |   Author Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, St. Thomas College, Palai, Kottayam, Kerala 1; Associate Professor, Department of Economics, St. Thomas College, Palai, Kottayam, Kerala 2.   |   Licensing: CC 4.0   |   Pg no: 828-838   |   Published on: 18-07-2023

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the economics of organic farming in Kerala based on primary data from 724 organic farmers from the Idukki and Wayanad districts of Kerala. It compares the profitability, productivity, and cost-effectiveness of pepper and coffee among conventional and organic farmers in Kerala. There are substantial differences between organic and conventional farmers and between various land sizes in the yield of coffee and pepper. The average productivity of coffee per acre on organic farms is 736 kg, and of pepper, it is 372 kg. While non-organic farm output per acre of coffee and pepper is 923kg and 529kg, respectively, the cost of cultivation per acre is greater in the case of conventional farms when compared to organic farms. Organic farms are more economical than conventional farms. The profit per acre is greater in the case of non-organic farms when compared to organic farms.

Keywords

Organic farming, conventional, productivity, economical, profitability