The paradox of sustainability: Understanding why the farmers of Punjab resist change to organic farming

Introduction

Agriculture today stands at a crossroads one path leading toward sustainable practices such as organic farming, and the other continuing with conventional, chemical-intensive methods. Despite global advocacy for organic agriculture as a sustainable and health-conscious alternative, the adoption rate among farmers, particularly in developing nations like India, remains remarkably low (FAO, 2021; IFOAM, 2020) [6,7] . Organic farming is celebrated for improving soil health, biodiversity, and long-term ecological balance (Reganold & Wachter, 2016) [1] . Studies by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2021) [6] and IFOAM (2020) [7] highlight its role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). However, in real-world farming communities, especially at the grassroots level, enthusiasm for conversion to organic remains limited (Scialabba & Müller-Lindenlauf, 2010) [2] . In India, the government has introduced several schemes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) -to promote organic practices (Ministry of Agriculture, 2020). Yet, adoption continues to hover around a fraction of the total cultivated area, with states like Punjab and Haryana showing particularly low conversion rates (APEDA, 2022) [8] . At the district level, even where awareness exists, farmers often express hesitation due to economic risks, uncertain yield performance, market inaccessibility, and lack of technical support. Many view organic farming as a financially risky venture that demands long-term commitment without short-term gains. Preliminary data collected from farmers across villages in the districts SAS Nagar, Roop Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib region revealed that while a majority are aware of the term "organic farming," fewer than one in ten have considered adopting it. Many cited immediate profit concerns, long transition periods, and lack of assured buyers as their primary deterrents' findings consistent with other Indian and international research. This study seeks to understand these ground realities and analyze why, despite strong international and national advocacy, farmers remain reluctant to adopt organic practices. By comparing field level perceptions with findings from previous literature, this research aims to bridge the gap between policy optimism and on-field practicality.

Literature Review

Organic farming has emerged globally as a sustainable agricultural model, aiming to minimize environmental degradation and promote long-term soil health. However, despite international recognition and policy support, the actual adoption rates remain limited -particularly in developing countries where conventional agriculture dominates (FAO, 2021; IFOAM, 2020) [6,7] .

Global Perspective

At the global level, research consistently supports organic farming as an ecological and economically sustainable practice. Reganold and Wachter (2016) [1] observed that organic systems outperform conventional farming in biodiversity conservation and long-term soil fertility. Similarly, Scialabba and Müller-Lindenlauf (2010) [2] highlighted its potential in climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, studies such as De Ponti et al. (2012) [3] and Seufert et al. (2012) [4] demonstrated that organic yields can be 20-25% lower than conventional yields, making it less attractive for smallholders in yield-sensitive economies. Willer and Lernoud (2019) [5] reported that while organic land area has expanded globally, adoption remains heavily concentrated in Europe and North America, with Asia and Africa lagging. Global literature suggests that the main deterrents include lack of infrastructure, certification barriers, and price uncertainty. In countries like Kenya and the Philippines, farmers' skepticism was linked to the absence of organized organic markets and government backed procurement systems.

National Perspective (India)

In India, organic farming has gained increasing policy attention since the early 2000s. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) have been central to this movement (Ministry of Agriculture, 2020). Nevertheless, studies indicate that less than 2% of India's total agricultural land is under organic management (APEDA, 2022) [8] . Ramesh et al. and Narayanan identified several structural barriers: lack of financial incentives, weak institutional support, limited access to bio-inputs, and poor awareness about certification procedures. Gupta et al. found that even among educated farmers, reluctance often stems from perceptions of lower profitability and high risk during the conversion period. Socio-economic factors also play a key role. Meena et al. and Kumari et al. emphasized that farmers prioritize short-term financial stability over long-term ecological benefits, especially in cash crop-dominated regions. In states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, awareness campaigns have improved knowledge, but actual behavioral change remains minimal.

State and District-Level Insights

Within Punjab and Haryana, known as India's "grain bowl," the chemical-intensive model of agriculture has become deeply entrenched. Singh and Grover (2020) reported that despite widespread awareness of soil degradation and declining fertility, fewer than 1% of farmers had experimented with organic farming. The reasons cited included market uncertainty, difficulty in managing pest outbreaks without synthetic inputs, and lack of assured minimum support prices for organic produce. At the local level, studies like Sharma and Chauhan (2020) and Bhatia et al. (2018) have shown that while farmers acknowledge the long-term ecological benefits of organic methods, they view the transition as impractical without strong institutional support. In district-level surveys, respondents often expressed skepticism regarding consumer demand -many farmers believe that "organic" is a term relevant only to urban markets and not to their rural realities.

Emerging Gaps in Literature

Across these studies, several gaps persist. While most research has focused on environmental or yield-based comparisons, farmer psychology, market trust, and peer influence remain underexplored. Few studies have analyzed how perception, generational mind-set, and local policy communication affect decision-making. Moreover, limited district-level data exist for regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, where awareness is high, but adoption is low suggesting a potential mismatch between knowledge and action. Hence, this study attempts to provide insights from grassrootslevel data collected directly from farmers in the [Your District Name] region, comparing their perspectives with established global and national findings.

Methodology Research Design

This study follows a descriptive and exploratory research design aimed at understanding farmers' perceptions, constraints, and attitudes toward adopting organic farming. A mixed-method approach was used combining quantitative data (survey responses) with qualitative insights (farmer interviews and field observations).

Study Area

The research was conducted in selected villages of mainly three districts namely -SAS Nagar, Rupnagar and Fatehgarh Sahib located in the Punjab region of India. This area was chosen for its agricultural significance and dominance of conventional farming systems. The district represents typical challenges of smallholder farmers in North India, such as declining soil fertility, dependency on chemical inputs, and limited access to organic markets.

Sampling and Respondents

A total of 60 farmers were selected through random sampling across 7-8 villages (7-8 respondents per village). The sample included farmers of varying landholding sizes -marginal (<1 ha), small (1-2 ha), and medium (>2 ha). Both male and female respondents were included to capture a broader perspective.

Data Collection Tools

Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing both closed and open-ended questions. The survey included five major sections:

Data Analysis

Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, averages, and frequency distribution. Graphs and charts were used to visually represent trends in awareness, perception, and constraints. Qualitative responses were summarized and thematically analyzed to highlight key reasons behind farmer hesitation.

Limitations

The study was confined to only three districts, and therefore, findings may not represent the entire state or national scenario. Additionally, since farmer responses were self-reported, they may include perception biases. However, comparisons with previous research help validate the observed trends.

Results and Discussion

This section presents the findings from farmer surveys conducted across selected villages of Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, and Fatehgarh in Punjab. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies to highlight similarities, differences, and emerging trends in farmer perception toward organic farming.

Socio-Economic Profile of Respondents

The surveyed farmers represented a diverse demographic. Around 45% were small farmers (1-2 ha), 33% were marginal farmers (<1 ha), and 22% were medium farmers (>2 ha).

Awareness of Organic Farming

Out of the 60 respondents, 78% had heard of the term "organic farming," but only 12% claimed to have a clear understanding of its actual principles (e.g., certification, composting, or crop rotation).

When asked about sources of awareness

Willingness to Adopt Organic Farming

Only 8% of respondents reported practicing any form of organic farming (mostly using homemade compost). When asked if they were willing to convert fully to organic, the responses were:

References

1. Reganold JP, Wachter JM. Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century. Nature Plants. 2016;2:15221. doi:10.1038/nplants.2015.221.
2. Scialabba N, Müller-Lindenlauf M. Organic agriculture and climate change. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 2010;25(2):158-169.
3. de Ponti T, Rijk B, van Ittersum MK. The crop yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture. Agric Syst. 2012;108:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2011.12.004.
4. Seufert V, Ramankutty N, Foley JA. Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature. 2012;485:229-232. doi:10.1038/nature11069.
5. Willer H, Lernoud J, editors. The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2019. Frick, Switzerland: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) & IFOAM -Organics International; 2019.
6. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The World of Organic Agriculture: FAO Materials and Statistics on Organic Agriculture. FAO; 2021.
7. IFOAM -Organics International. Annual Report 2020. Bonn: IFOAM; 2020.
8. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Organic Products Statistics and Annual Reports 2021-2023. New Delhi: APEDA; 2021-2023.