Context

• Organic farming is an alternative to the conventional farming system which involves sustainable and environment friendly agricultural practices that avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilisers and genetically modified organisms. 
• It relies on achieving high crop yields without harming natural environment, disrupting ecosystem and posing no health hazards to the people who work on farms and use the produce. 
• Organic farming is based on the application of non-synthetic farm inputs like vermi-compost, green manure, bio-fertilisers, crop residues, etc. to enhance soil fertility. 
• For pest and disease control, organic farming embraces eco-friendly methodologies, such as strategic crop rotation, trap crops, the use of bio-pesticides, biological control of insects, mechanical traps etc. 
• This holistic approach not only fosters environmental harmony but also promotes long-term health and vitality of the agricultural ecosystem. 

Need and Benefits of Organic Farming 

• First and foremost, organic farming promotes biodiversity, conserves soil health and reduces water pollution by avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture. 
• Further, embracing organic farming practices contributes to the resilience and prosperity of farmers. It provides economic sustainability to the farmers by reducing input cost on one hand and simultaneously creating better market access on the other. 
• The growing demand for eco-friendly and chemical-free products, fetches a premium price and thus provides better income and market access. 
• The reduced dependence on chemical inputs improves the overall health of the farming community. 
• Organic farming brings significant benefits to consumers by providing them with healthier and safer food options. Organic produce is free from chemical residues and often contains higher nutritional value, contributing to better overall health of consumers. 
• The cultivation practices emphasise natural inputs and sustainable methods, resulting in nutrient-rich crops that often have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 
• It potentially opens up the international market for organic products, thereby significantly enhancing the country’s agricultural export. 
• The emphasis on organic farming can also address public health concerns related to chemical residues in food, leading to potential healthcare cost savings. 
• Overall, the widespread adoption of organic farming in India presents a holistic solution that harmonises environmental, economic and public health interests. 

Status of Organic Farming 

• The organic farming system in India has a rich historical foundation, dating back to ancient times. 
• The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) launched in 2001, laid the foundation for systematic development of the organic agricultural sector in the country. 
• NPOP is being implemented by APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The NPOP provides an institutional framework for accreditation and certification of various facets of organic agriculture processes. 
• Notably, the NPOP standards for production and accreditation have earned international recognition including countries like the  USA, European Union and Switzerland. 
• The NPOP was brought under the ambit of Foreign Trade Development and Regulation (FTDR) Act in 2004. As per this mandate, no organic products can be exported from India unless certified under NPOP.  
• The National Centre for Organic Farming, established in 2004, is a nodal organisation for promoting organic farming in the country. It was renamed as National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) in 2022. 

Area under Organic Farming 

• India is the sixth largest country in the world in terms of total area under organic farming. Currently, around 2.4% of net cultivated area is either under certified or in the conversion process of organic farming.  
• As on March 31, 2023, total area under organic certification registered under the National Programme  for Organic Production reached 101.72 lakh hectares in the country. 
• Among all states, Chhattisgarh (due to its large wild harvest collection area) emerged as a frontrunner, contributing nearly 32 per cent of the country’s total area under organic farming. It was followed by Madhya Pradesh (22.83 per cent), Maharashtra (12.63 per cent), Rajasthan (9.22 per cent), Gujarat (9.20 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (2.10 per cent) and Odisha (1.95 per cent). 
• Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic with effect from 2016, other States, including Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have also set similar targets. 
• India, with 15.99 lakh organic producers, has the honour of having the highest number of organic farmers in the world. 

Organic Production  

• India, with its diverse agro-climatic conditions, is endowed with significant potential to cultivate a wide array of organic products.
• India’s organic production encompasses a diverse array of food items, ranging from cereals, pulses, millets, oilseeds, tea, coffee, fruits, vegetables, spices, dry fruits, sugarcane, and processed food. 
• The organic production is not limited to the edible sector but also extends its reach to include the cultivation of organic cotton, fiber, medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants. 
• Among different states, Madhya Pradesh is the single largest producer of organic products. It accounts for nearly 28 per cent of the country’s organic production. It is followed by Maharashtra (27 per cent), Rajasthan (11 per cent), Karnataka (8 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (7 per cent). 
• These top ranking five states collectively account for nearly 81 per cent of the country’s organic production, underscoring a substantial opportunity for the widespread adoption of organic farming practices in other regions across the nation.
• In terms of commodities, fiber crops are the single largest category followed by oil seeds and sugar crops. 

Exports of Organic Products 

• Organic farming in India is mainly export intensive. During the fiscal year 2022-23, the organic export volume of India reached an impressive 312,800.51 metric tonnes. 
• The revenue generated from the export of organic products amounted to approximately Rs. 5,525.18 crore (USD 708.33 million). 
• The high-quality organic exports of India, find their way to various international markets, including the USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland, Turkey, Australia, Ecuador, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and more. 

Initiatives 

• The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been made operational from the year 2014-15. The NMSA focuses on increasing water-use efficiency, promoting organic nutrient management and adopting climate-resilient sustainable agricultural practices. 
• It provides financial incentives, training programmes and technical support to farmers to encourage the adoption of organic and sustainable farming techniques. 
• Furthermore, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (launched in 2015) encourages the adoption of organic farming practices by providing financial assistance to farmers. 
• Under PKVY, groups of farmers are formed to cultivate organic crops and are supported with financial aid for inputs, seeds, and other essential resources. 
• This scheme not only facilitates the transition to organic farming but also promotes community participation and cooperation. 

Challenges 

• Despite the positive trends, organic farming in India faces several challenges. Limited awareness and education among farmers about organic practices, high initial costs of certification and lack of a well established market infrastructure for organic products are some of the hurdles that need to be addressed. 
• During the transition period to organic farming, initially yields may temporarily decrease, which poses financial challenge to the growers. 
• Farmers often encounter difficulties in managing pests and diseases by using natural methods and traditional farming practices which creates scepticism about the effectiveness of organic methods. 
• The issues related to quality control operations while upholding stringent standards, further complicate the organic farming landscape. 
• Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving education, policy support, research, and infrastructure development to ensure the sustainable growth of organic farming in India. 

Way Forward 

• The demand for organic products has been rising rapidly due to increasing health consciousness and environmental concerns. 
• To take advantage of the potential of the country, strategic emphasis is imperative. First and foremost, addressing the issue of low productivity under organic farming necessitates increased research and development on farming techniques and better dissemination of knowledge to enhance the efficiency and profitability of organic farming. 
• The integration of technology can play a pivotal role in the future of organic farming in the country. 
• Precision farming techniques, IT-based monitoring system and data analytics can optimise resource utilisation, provide real-time information to the farmers, and improve crop yield. 
• Further, investing in research and development is crucial to make organic farming more efficient and attractive to a new generation of farmers. 
• Developing resilient crop varieties, exploring new organic pest control methods, and enhancing soil health through innovative techniques will contribute to the long term sustainability of organic farming. 
• Strengthening existing schemes, providing financial incentives and addressing the challenges faced by farmers, will create an environment conducive for the widespread adoption of organic practices. 
• Encouraging collaboration and networking among the stakeholders including farmers, consumers, non-governmental organisations, researchers, farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and industry will foster a supportive ecosystem. 
• Educating consumers about the benefits of organic produce is the key to sustain the demand for organic products. 
• By effectively addressing challenges and seizing opportunities, India stands poised to emerge as a global front runner in the realm of organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.