Organic Farming
Organic Farming
Organic farming, sustainable agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops.
Organic farming in India: key facts
- India’s rank in terms of number of organic farmers- 1st (home to 30% of total organic producers in the world); in terms of world’s organic agriculture land globally - 5th.
- Area under Cultivation: only 2% of net sown area.
- Top 3 states - MP, Maharashtra & Gujarat account for largest area organic certification; in terms of production - MP, Maharashtra & Rajasthan.
- India’s exports of organic products- USD 1.04 billion during 2020-21.
- Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets.
Principles of organic farming
Similarities between organic farming and natural farming
- Both focuses on using natural inputs and processes to improve soil health, reduce environmental impact, and produce healthy crops.
- Both avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and promote biodiversity by using native crops and crop rotation.
- Both practices prioritize animal welfare and aim to produce food that is free from harmful chemicals.
Difference between organic farming and natural farming
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Organic farming |
Natural farming |
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Organic fertilizers and manures, such as compost, vermicompost, and cow dung manure, are utilized and applied to farmlands in organic farming. |
Natural farming does not use chemical or organic fertilizers on the soil. In reality, no additional nutrients are put into the soil or given to the plants |
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Basic agro practices like ploughing, tilling, weeding is performed |
No ploughing, tilling and weeding No pesticides, No herbicides, No pruning |
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Organic farming is still costlier due to the necessity of bulk manures, and it has an ecological footprint on the surrounding. |
Natural agriculture is an extremely low-cost farming method that completely Molds with local wildlife. |
Challenges of Organic Farming:
Initiatives for the promotion of Organic Farming in India
- National Programme for Organic Production: APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
- Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), as defined by IFOAM, are "locally focused quality assurance systems.
- They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange."
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana:
- The scheme stresses on end-to-end support to organic
- Post-harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made an integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers.
- Under PMKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years, out of which Rs. 31,000 (62%) is provided directly through DBT for inputs.
- Regulations for Organic Food Products, 2017 issued by FSSAI.
- Jaivik Bharat/PGS Green logo given by FSSAI to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’.
- Organic e-commerce platform www.jaivikkheti.in for directly linking farmers with retail & bulk buyers.
