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According to statistics, the global population has boomed into four times more significant numbers in the span of last 100 years. The world population was recorded to be 1.8 billion in the year 1915 that has multiplied to 7.3 billion, as per the recent reports of the United Nations. It is further estimated that it may boom into 9.7 billion people around the globe by the year 2050. The estimations have raised serious concern for the future food demands of the world (Elferink & Schierhorn, 2016).
In the light of these assessments, it is expressed that by the year 2050, the existing demand for food has potential from growing about 59% to 98%. The high rise in order will eventually require upgrading in the current market techniques with utmost emphasis on the production of the crop in apt quantities. The objective of producing more food can be achieved with either of the two ways: expansion of agricultural land for more production or enhancing the agrarian technique to yield more crops from the same measures of land. While there has been a social and ecological trade-off that involves the clearance of tropical area for irrigation, the second option has also been seen underuse in several locations and mainly consists of the precision farming and operation of fertilizers. While there has been a social and ecological trade-off that includes the clearance of tropical land for irrigation. Regardless of being accommodating in fulfilling the crop needs, both options are not considered well among the environmentalists. They are observed as degrading factors that carry a potential of bringing the climatic change. Climate change has already been seen in the form and fear of lack of water, elevating temperature and catastrophic weather changes. As these transformations are long term and are known to have a significant impact on the yielding of crops thus, decreasing the production of quality food. Extreme climatic conditions have affected chief regions that are dedicated to the agricultural output and located near the Equator. Due to extremity in temperature, it is presumed that Eastern Australia and Midwestern regions of United States may suffer from a decline in agricultural output. Mato Grosso is a state of Brazil and is reputed as one of the most significant areas of the farm production of soy and corn; it is estimated that production rate is vulnerable to decrease by 18% to 23% by the year 2050. Also, the element of urbanization and growing population also require more land to inhabit and settle. Therefore, the investments do not support the use of the property for irrigation and more inclined to put money in construction and civilization (Elferink & Schierhorn, 2016; Godfray et al., 2010, pp.812-818).
As per the gradual and fierce transformation of the globe, it is believed that food production should be managed in such a manner that it travels from the location, where it is produced, to the areas that require and thereof, lack the irrigation means. For the purpose, the market may need advances means of logistics, transport, storing services and processing tools. Nonetheless, it has been predicted that regardless of all these enhancements, the production may not be apt enough to fulfil the population demands for food by the year 2050. While on one part it should also be a responsibility of the concerned authorities to mark emphasis on controlling the population sprout and encourage family planning. On another hand, it should be considered a serious matter for the people involved in the practices, marketing and dealing of agricultural products to work on the issue (Elferink & Schierhorn, 2016; Godfray et al., 2010, pp.812-818; Tester & Langridge, 2010, pp.818-822).
As per evidence-based arguments, it has been asserted over and again that organic farming is a holistic approach that has proved to be more efficient and environmentally friendly in comparison to the conventional techniques. Ecological approach primarily targets the conservation of land fertility and ensures to avoid contamination with any possible kind of pollutants. The plan with natural methods tends to be full and more significant regarding environment as it also concerns the long-term benefits of animals and climate. It is mainly attributed to the principle tactic of organic yielding that encourages the use of soluble minerals and naturally produced pesticides, and voids the input of any synthetically prepared pesticides or herbicides. Regardless of the original data and sound output, organic farming is not seen as a favourable method in the market as it apparently produces fewer crops in quantity, in contrast to the production of conventional agriculture. The organically administered system aims to utilize the natural resources to yield naturally influenced crops efficiently. Whereas, traditional techniques may incorporate a variety of technical aspects for producing abundant plants at a lower cost without causing any harm to the life cycle. Despite the assertions of being safe from both the models, organic farming is still considered the source of healthy and natural products that presumably contains higher nutritional values and pure essence of nature. Fact believes that the biological yield is not influenced by any external and synthetic stimuli and primarily depends upon the natural supplies (Trewavas, 2001, pp.409-410).
There is a need for proper and systematic comparison of organic and conventional yielding such that it can be determined if organic farming produces less and ought to be safer than the traditional methods. A literature review has further focused on the subject and provided insight, absorbed from the present studies and research. It is indeed asserted in papers that with an increase in knowledge and health consciousness among people, organic products have emerged as preferable merchandise in agriculture and are often brought on high demand. Therefore, it is emerging as a rapidly growing industry and agricultural choice around the globe.
1.2. Problem statement
According to a paper published by Rigby and Cáceres (2001, pp.21-40), organic farming can be defined as “a holistic view of agriculture that aims to reflect the profound interrelationship that exists between farm biota, its production and the overall environment” (Mannion, 1995). However, with the recent advancements, the definition has been represented as “to create integrated, humane, environmentally and economically sustainable production systems. Which maximize reliance on farm-derived renewable resources and the management of ecological and biological processes and interactions, to provide acceptable levels of the crop, livestock and human nutrition, protection from pests and disease, and an appropriate return to the human and other resources” (Lampkin & Padel, 1994).
It is presumed that organic farming can generate not only ecological but also significant social and economic benefits that can be a cause of sustainability for the underdeveloped and developing countries. The outcome primarily depends upon the application of principles concerning the operations of organic farming. It involves the resourcing the local means and using them efficiently for yielding naturally influenced crops. Such local factors may include the manure produced by the domestic animals or varieties of seed obtained from the land. All the resources are amalgamated together to develop a cost-effective management plan (Kilcher, 2007, 89, pp.31-49).
In accordance to attain sustainability and development, West has already established itself in yielding an organic crop at its major agricultural units. It mainly includes the lands of North America and European region. The upgrading has reached up to a level that about 2.2% of the irrigation land in Europe is dedicated to organic farming. The area in the United Kingdom has almost doubled to organic agriculture as compared to the estimations recorded from 1999 to 2000. On the other hand, Austria and Sweden have crossed that opinion and have administered organic yielding on around 10% of its agricultural land. In the United States of America, the number of natural farmers has been rising at the rate of 12% each year (Rigby & Cáceres, 2001, pp.21-40; Soil Association, 2000; McAvoy, 2000). Organic products appear to have remarkable prospects of growth in the market and attract various buyers and exporters from both local and intentional industries. The demand is associated with high chances of better income and trade and eventually is preceding factor of improvement in economically weak regions. Thus, establishing proper grounds and policies of adopting organic farming stores significant potential to improve living conditions for the farmers in practice as well as the host country (Kilcher, 2007, 89, pp.31-49).
India is considered a significant producer of crops that includes an abundant supply of pulses, oilseeds, and cereals. From the total workforce of the country, 55% of them, and 67% of the Indian population merely depends on the outcome of the agricultural sector. Even though agriculture functions as the backbone of Indian economy, the country appears to face varying hurdles in between progress and smooth transition. Most of the setbacks arise from the policies that support the use of agricultural land for the non – agricultural purposes. Despite the constraints and due to the high profile of India for agricultural production, and rising demand for quality food products, the opportunities are still available in the field (Chandrashekar, 2010, pp.034-039). Adoption of organic farming on smaller levels has been active in quite an affecting manner. Non-governmental organizations, private communities, and local farmer groups are keenly introducing and adopting the notion of organic farming in their surroundings and on their lands (Willer & Lernoud, 2016, pp.1-336; Yussefi, 2010).
Organic farming presumably stores a high potential to enhance the rural economy of India. While the advent of natural agriculture goes back to about 10,000 years in India, the implementation still somehow holds back. It is believed that the changes in practices have ingrained during the period of British rule. In current time, many of the states that are associated with agricultural production have adopted the organic methods. These regions include Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. As per the reports by the International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), in the year 2004, about 2.5 million hectares of land has been under the use of organic farming. Whereas, the certified organic farms ranged over 15,000 in numbers. Since then, India has become one of the most significant producers and traders of natural crops (Chandrashekar, 2010, pp.034-039).
Among all the states, Karnataka is known as the first agricultural state of India that adopted and encouraged the practices of organic farming by introducing the policies through the office. The farmers since then, have been extensively shifting their practices to ecological model to fulfil the local and international demand for organic products. A study presented by Lukas and Cahn (2008) stated that farmers in Karnataka, who have adopted the natural means for farming, prefers the method in contrast to the conventional agriculture. According to the farmers in practice, physical techniques have reduced the overall cost inputs in the yielding and ultimately increased the chances of generating more profit from the outputs. Farmers believe that organic farming renders them to be self-sufficient at work and benefits in various ways; it has the potential to enhance the financial assets of the farmers and reduce the vulnerability towards irrigation and pest infestation (Lukas & Cahn, 2008).
It should be kept under consideration that women play a vital role in the agricultural industry of India, as they are the 1/3rd part of the workforce that contributes to the production and economy. As per statistics, it has been recognized that 16% of the women population makes up the active labour force in rural regions. Apart from their work contribution, they are also primarily responsible for maintaining the domestic needs. Moreover, it has been determined that economically unstable families tend to rely more on women for finances than the men. In fact, it is observed that the economic status of a household inversely correlates to the active participation of women in the workforce. Further, it directly relates to their contribution to family income. As rural India mainly accommodates the farming families that lie below the line of poverty, it is realized essential to engage women in agribusiness. Thus, it is often seen in the rural regions that women openly participate in the physician workforce and dealing concerning the farming models (Breitkreuz et al., 2017, pp.397-417; Bennett, 1992).
It is believed that women play a more significant role and appear to have more power in enhancing the work structure and economic output of agriculture (Nikam & Kumar, 2017). It is observed that women make up the large proportion of the rural regions; further, it has been determined that their wages are disproportionate to their input in the field (Breitkreuz et al., 2017, pp.397-417). As women play a crucial part in farming in rural India, this study has been planned to investigate the status of women entrepreneurs in India, particularly in the state of Karnataka.
1.3. Research questions
Following are the critical research questions that have been designed to conduct and direct this study:
- What are the challenges or hurdles faced by the women entrepreneurs in farming industry of Karnataka, India?
- Are there any benefits given to the women entrepreneurs, who are involved in the agricultural field, from the government that might be different from male entrepreneurs? Are they any different from other states?
- What are the steps that are/or can be adopted by the entrepreneurs to promote and encourage organic agriculture over the model of conventional farming?
1.4. Research objectives
As per the nature of the study and set research questions, the objectives of the research have been derived from the following:
- To study the existing literature on women entrepreneurship and identify the problems faced by the women entrepreneurs, particularly in the field of organic farming.
- To identify the driving forces of the successful women entrepreneurs.
- To carry out an in-depth investigation in the agricultural field of Karnataka, India, by conducting interviews with the women, who are a part of organic farming.
- To obtain insight into their journey in this venture and the problems they faced, and the methods or techniques they used to overcome them.
- To theoretically study the matter of women entrepreneurship and organic farming to derive possible solutions for the identified hurdles.
1.5. Significance of the study
The focus of the study here is the status of women entrepreneurs in the field of organic farming. It has been determined through surveys that more impoverished families depend more on the……
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