Includes bibliographical references.

The North Eastern states of India are considered as a major hub of spices, with production accounting to 9.38% and cultivated area of about 6.51%. The turmeric production in the Northeast was highest in Assam (16.75 MT) followed by Mizoram (27.82 MT) and Meghalaya (15.86 MT) respectively during 2015-16. The Khasi-Jaintia Hills (East Jaintia hills and West Jaintia hills) district contributes about 72% of the state’s production. A very few research was available on yield gap analysis of those commonly cultivated organic turmeric varieties in the state of Meghalaya. Keeping the above facts in view, the current investigation was formulated with the following objectives: (1) To study the socio-economic, psychological and agronomic profiles of organic turmeric farmers in Meghalaya, (2) To ascertain the magnitude of yield gaps in organic cultivation of different turmeric varieties in Meghalaya and (3) To investigate the problems faced by the organic turmeric farmers and their suggestive measures to reduce yield gaps in Meghalaya. Four villages (two from each block) were taken purposively from Laskein and Thadlaskein blocks of West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. A sample size of 122 respondents were taken through proportionate to population size random sampling for the study. The statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, yield gap analysis, correlation and Garrett ranking were applied to achieve above objectives. The study revealed that more than half of the respondents were medium aged (52 %) with marginal farm size having medium level of farming experience (54.67 %), medium level of farming cropping intensity (51.66), medium level of farming innovativeness (68.33 %) and higher institutional credit facility in organic turmeric production. The yield gap at farmer level with respect to potential yield was 15.78 q/ha, followed by yield gap with respect to demonstration yield and state yield were 6.66 q/ha and 3.74 q/ha respectively. Whereas extension & technology gap were found to be 6.66 q/ha and 9.12 q/ha respectively. The major constraints faced by farmers were lack of availability of bio-fertilizers and bio chemicals, inadequate information on the market information and product prices. The key suggestions offered by farmers includes extension agents should educate and demonstrate about organic turmeric production, certification and establishment of organic turmeric-based communities (SHG’s) at ground level for reducing the total cost of production and increasing profit margin