A Strategic Model for Empowering Farmers by Improving Livelihood Security through Organic Farming Practices in Tamil Nadu, India

Purpose: There is a particular paucity of information emanating from Tamil Nadu state, where organic farming appears to have a promising future. Some of the constraints revealed from primary sources suggest to the importance for a comprehensive study that would resulting in a strategic model framework for sustainable organic farming in Tamil Nadu.Research Method: Precisely, 180 organic farming practitioners from the Coimbatore, Erode, and Tiruppur districts in Tamil Nadu were selected through purposive random sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire and a personnel interview style were used to collect data. To determine significant contributing independent variables that determine the impact of organic farming, a step-down regression approach was employed.Findings: The majorities of participants were old-aged, had undergone collegiate to secondary education, had received organic farming training, and owned low livestock. Though there was a moderate level of media exposure, extension personal interaction, risk and scientific orientation among the respondents were apparent. Farmers' perceptions about environmentally friendly conservation practices, the use of organic manures, the profitability of organic farming, and environmental degradation ranged from moderate to high levels. Independent variables accounted for 77.30 percent of the variation in organic farming's impact on farmer livelihood security. Based on these observations, a model has been proposed for designing a future strategy.Originality/ Value: The proposed model will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and concerned officials in framing new programs from the standpoint of organic farming.