Guidelines for Conducting Research on Organic Farming

Organic farming research is complex and intertwined with various aspects of agro-climatic conditions, edaphic factors, organic sources of nutrients and pesticides, cropping systems and cropping patterns. This research should encompass all these issues for achieving meaningful findings for practical utility. Although the broad contours of agricultural research are similar, the background information on various natural resources, agricultural practices, socio-economic factors of farming community, the scale and magnitude of research areas and the duration make organic farming research truly more complex. Further the refinement of organic farming research findings need a greater understanding of the whole spectrum of agrarian scenario of a given geographical area. In spite being more complex and confounded the organic farming research needs a greater attention for evolving more eco-friendly agricultural practices for safeguarding the fragile natural environment and yet produces healthy and chemical-free food commodities for the consumers. This chapter throws light on research issues, methodologies, and associated issues in organic farming research.