Organic Farming - A paramount agro-ecological practice amongst the Buddhist tribe in Kabban-Padder, Greater Himalaya, India

A survey was conducted with limited resource farmers and non-farmers in Kabban valley of Greater Himalaya at Padder region of Jammu and Kashmir State, India to identify their knowledge, practices, perceptions and needs regarding organic farming. The respondents both male and female (68 .29% + 31.70%) are classified into two classes (a) those who rear livestock as well as practicize agriculture i.e. farmers and (b) those who rear livestock only i.e non-farmers. Out of the 82 respondents 95% have sufficient farming experience, however, 4.87% lack technical knowledge about the farming. In accordance with the age grouping, most active age group has also been identified for both the farming and non- farming activities. Respondents knowingly or unknowingly do the organic farming and it has been seen that choice of the crops under cultivation is always the priority of the farmers. The major produce in the area is peas, cereals (barley, oats and wheat), potato and cabbage. Farmers of this region having strong knowledge of organic farming, use organic resources i.e. cow dung without knowing the fact that organic crops resulting by this practice are of high quality, rich in nutrients, high nutraceutical values and of high cost because of their safe nature.