Organic Banana Farming in North Garo Hills: Restoring Natural Cultivation and Market Potential

Background: Conventional agriculture’s reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has led to declining soil health in ecologically fragile regions such as the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. To address these concerns, farmers in North Garo Hills have begun shifting from traditional and chemical-based cultivation to organic banana farming. Methods: The study was conducted during 2023-2024 in selected banana-growing villages of North Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. Both primary and secondary data were collected from 50 farmers. The study assessed organic cultivation practices such as the use of vermicompost, cattle manure and farmyard compost. Comparative and statistical analyses were employed to evaluate environmental and economic outcomes. Result: Findings indicate that organic farming yields are approximately 18% lower than those under chemical-based cultivation. However, organic systems reduce input costs by 33%, resulting in a 14.3% higher net income per hectare. Organic practices also improved soil fertility, enhanced biodiversity and strengthened overall farmer livelihoods.