ORGANIC FARMING (MINOR) FOR SEM-2

Organic Farming - global scenario, principles, and its scope in India

Organic farming refers to growing crops and raising livestock using natural methods
without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or
other artificial additives. It focuses on maintaining soil health, biodiversity, and
ecological balance while producing healthy and nutritious food.

Organic farming also emphasizes the use of renewable resources and minimizing waste
and pollution. Organic farming practices vary depending on the region and the crops or
livestock being produced, but they all share a commitment to sustainability, health,
and environmental stewardship. Organic farming is gaining popularity worldwide
due to its potential to mitigate climate change, improve soil fertility, and promote food
security.

Global Scenario
Organic farming has gained significant popularity worldwide in recent years due to
concerns over environmental degradation, health concerns, and sustainable agriculture
practices. According to the latest data available from the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), as of 2021, organic farming is practiced in
over 187 countries, with a total of 72.3 million hectares of organic agricultural land
worldwide.

The top 10 countries with the highest organic agricultural land are:
 Australia
 Argentina
 Spain
 China
 United States
 Italy
 France
 Germany
 Canada
 Brazil

Europe has the largest share of organic agricultural land globally, followed by Latin
America and Oceania. In terms of the types of crops grown organically, the majority of
organic agricultural land is used for permanent crops such as fruit trees and vineyards,
followed by pasture and meadow. Consumer demand for organic products has also
grown in recent years, with organic food sales reaching $125 billion globally in 2020,
according to the Organic Trade Association. The COVID-19 pandemic has further
increased demand for organic products, as consumers have become more conscious of
the need for healthy and sustainable food choices.
Governments around the world have also introduced policies and initiatives to promote
organic farming and support the growth of the organic industry. For example, the
European Union introduced a new organic regulation in 2021 that aims to strengthen
the organic farming sector and increase consumer trust in organic products. In India,
the government has introduced various schemes and incentives to promote organic
farming, including the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Organic Farming
Scheme.

Principles
The principles of organic farming include:

 Soil health: Organic farming relies on the health of the soil, using techniques
such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting to maintain soil fertility
and structure.
 Biodiversity: Organic farming encourages biodiversity by using a variety of
crops and promoting the growth of natural habitats such as hedgerows and
ponds.
 Animal welfare: Organic farming emphasizes the ethical treatment of animals,
providing them with adequate space, access to the outdoors, and a natural diet.
 Avoiding synthetic chemicals: Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic
fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, instead relying on natural methods such as
crop rotation, natural predators, and organic fertilizers.
 GMO-free: Organic farming prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms
in crop production.
 Sustainable practices: Organic farming aims to minimize the use of non-
renewable resources and reduce environmental impact by using sustainable
practices such as conservation tillage, energy-efficient irrigation, and natural
pest management.

Scope
Some key points about the scope of organic farming:
1. Organic farming aims to produce healthy and nutritious food while
promoting environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and natural resource
conservation.
2. The scope of organic farming includes crop production, animal husbandry,
and fisheries.
3. Organic farming relies on natural inputs such as compost, manure, and crop
rotation to maintain soil fertility and productivity.
4. Organic farming practices also involve the avoidance of synthetic pesticides,
herbicides, and fertilizers.
5. The scope of organic farming extends beyond agriculture and includes the
entire food value chain, from production to processing, distribution, and
consumption.
6. Organic farming is gaining popularity worldwide as more consumers become
aware of the environmental and health benefits of organic food.
 7. Organic farming has the potential to increase income and improve the
livelihoods of small-scale farmers by providing better market access and
reducing input costs.
8. Organic farming can also contribute to climate change mitigation by
sequestering carbon in the soil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from
agricultural activities.

Organic produce certificate Initiatives are taken by the Government

(central/state),
The Government of India has initiated various schemes and programs to promote
organic farming and provide certification for organic produce. Some of them are:
1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) - This scheme promotes organic
farming among farmers and encourages them to adopt organic farming practices
by providing financial assistance to set up organic farms.
2. Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (OVCDNER) -
The main objective of this scheme is to develop the organic sector in the North
Eastern Region of India and provide assistance in developing organic value
chains for various organic products.
3. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) - This program provides
a national standard for organic production and provides certification for organic
products.
4. National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) - The NCOF is a center for
promoting organic farming and provides training and research facilities for
farmers, consumers, and other stakeholders.
5. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) - This system is a community-based
organic certification system that involves farmers and consumers in the
certification process.
6. National Institute of Organic Farming (NIOF) - The NIOF is an institute that
provides education and research facilities for organic farming and promotes
the use of organic inputs.

7. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) - This scheme provides financial

assistance for organic farming and encourages farmers to adopt organic farming
practices.
8. Organic Farming Scheme - The central government provides financial
assistance to farmers for the adoption of organic farming practices through the
Organic Farming Scheme.

Initiatives taken by state governments for organic produce certification:

1. Sikkim Organic Mission - The Sikkim government has set up the Sikkim Organic
Mission to promote organic farming in the state. It provides incentives and technical
support to farmers for the adoption of organic farming practices.

2. Kerala Organic Farming Policy - The Kerala government has launched an organic
farming policy that aims to make the state 100% organic by 2020. It provides incentives
to farmers for the adoption of organic farming practices.
3. Himachal Pradesh Organic Farming Policy - The Himachal Pradesh government
has launched an organic farming policy that aims to make the state a model organic
state. It provides financial incentives to farmers for the adoption of organic farming
practices.

4. Maharashtra Organic Farming Policy - The Maharashtra government has launched

an organic farming policy that aims to promote the use of organic farming practices in
the state. It provides financial assistance to farmers for the adoption of organic farming
practices.

NGOs, and other organizations for the promotion of organic agriculture.

There are several NGOs working towards the promotion of organic agriculture in India.
Some of the prominent ones are:

1. Navdanya: Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread

across 18 states in India. They work towards the conservation of biodiversity,
promotion of organic farming, and fair trade.

2. Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI): OFAI is a national-level federation of

organic farmers, consumers, and stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector. They
work towards the promotion of organic farming practices, education and training of
farmers, and policy advocacy.

3. Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development (SPWD): SPWD is a non-profit

organization that works towards the promotion of sustainable livelihoods through
organic farming, wasteland development, and natural resource management.

4. Greenpeace India: Greenpeace is an environmental NGO that works towards

sustainable agriculture, the protection of biodiversity, and the promotion of renewable
energy.

5. Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA): CSA is a non-profit organization that

works towards the promotion of ecological farming practices, conservation of natural
resources, and empowerment of small and marginal farmers.
Other Organizations
There are several private organizations that work towards the promotion of organic
farming. Some of them are:

1. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM): It is a

global organization that promotes organic farming and advocates for sustainable food
systems.
 2. Organic Trade Association (OTA): It is a membership-based trade association that
represents the organic industry in North America. OTA works to promote organic
farming and supports the growth of the organic sector.

3. The Organic Center: It is a non-profit organization that conducts research on

organic farming and provides information on the health and environmental benefits of
organic agriculture.

4. Rodale Institute: It is a non-profit organization that conducts research on organic

farming and advocates for regenerative agriculture practices.

5. Biodynamic Association: It is a non-profit organization that promotes biodynamic

farming, a method of organic farming that emphasizes the holistic development and
interrelationships of soil, plants, and animals.