Abstract

Non-government organizations as a third sector institutional framework are playing a crucial role in providing strong support to the development issues. They have an important role, especially where the government and private sectors are showing less interest. One of the main sectors is agriculture. It is observed that many countries across the world provide support for modern agriculture, mainly to increase the productivity for commercial purpose without considering the environment sustainability (Pingali, 2001). However, the concept of sustainability of agriculture is gaining moment from last few years. Though many steps have taken by the government, it is observed that government programs have not succeeded up to the mark. Hence NGOs are emerging as a new thrust for the sustainability of agriculture. Alternative to High External Input Agriculture, states and NGOs across the world are attempting to develop a framework called Low External Inputs and Sustainable Agriculture (LIESA) for promoting Sustainable Agriculture Development (SAD) and in India some agencies have done a significant achievement. Organic agriculture system, that is based on ecological principles and applying ecological practices to maintain soil fertility, is to manage crop and animal health and to keep soil and water in a good condition. The objectives of the study are firstly, to analyse the role of NGOs in promoting sustainable agriculture. Secondly, to find on what extent NGOs are promoting awareness programs and upgrading marketing facilities. For the present study, a few NGOs have been selected randomly for detailed investigation and relevant information was collected by personal visits. Some NGOs had involved successfully with organic farming system. But in this study, 4 NGOs were selected from three districts of Karnataka. The overall analysis of the study reveals that NGOs are very prominent in effective implementation of government programs towards sustainability of agriculture and in influencing awareness programs and marketing facilities.

Key words: Non-government organizations, agriculture, support organic agriculture system.