Economic and Sustainability Perspectives on Organic and Conventional Banana Farming

India, with 60% of its population reliant on agriculture, faces challenges like soil degradation and excessive chemical use, threatening sustainability. Despite ranking second in global organic farmland and first in organic producers, India lacks comparative studies on the profitability of organic versus conventional farming. This study addresses this gap through a cost-and-return analysis of organic and conventional banana farming in Tamil Nadu. Using multistage sampling, 40 organic and 40 conventional farmers from Coimbatore were surveyed. Results show organic farming has 13.56% higher production costs but earns higher net income (₹6,12,583/ha) and a better benefit-cost ratio (3.40) than conventional farming (₹4,65,081/ha; BCR 3.07). Although yields are slightly lower, organic farming offers benefits like soil health and premium pricing. Key adoption drivers include reduced chemical use and consumer demand, while barriers include high initial costs and certification challenges. Policy support, input subsidies, and market infrastructure are essential for broader adoption.