The farming methods followed until 100–200 years back are very much organic farming where they never used chemicals like synthetic fertilisers and pesticides for agriculture. Integration of naturally available salvaging techniques and implementing natural methods to farm constitute organic farming. Ex: Using gomutra(Cow Urine) instead of chemical pesticide, Usage of Cow dung and vegetable degraded matter as fertiliser, cutting down weeds mechanically instead of using chemical sprays are some methods followed in organic farming.
Preparation and Usage of Panchagavya, Jeevamtrutha, Agni asthra, Neemasthra are also well-proven techniques. The recently developed CVR method refers to applying soil solution on plants to avoid any attack of insects and viruses. The above methods don’t involve cost. They can be produced at a low price at the agricultural site and can be applied thoroughly.
Contemporary Organic farmers use technology and eco-friendly farming techniques like drip irrigation, Greenhouse, atmosphere control systems in closed spaces to yield better harvesting tonnage. With the advent of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, organic farming is no longer seen as a viable alternative to conventional agriculture. As people adopt more modern methods of agriculture, some fewer farmers adhere to organic principles. There is still some debate about whether an organic farm can be profitable.
Organic farming is an approach to agriculture that promotes renewable resources and respects nature’s systems. It relies on biological pest control, integrated pest management, crop rotation, composting and no-tillage techniques in its production methods. Organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms and are often found in remote areas.
Organic farming is a production system, including all the practices used to cultivate the land, that seeks to build and maintain soil fertility through ecologically sound techniques. It uses materials from plants or animals only if they improve crop production. It emphasises the use of renewable resources and opposes synthetic chemicals in agriculture.
Organic farming is a production system that sustains natural processes, biodiversity, biological cycles and functions on the land instead of against them. The aim is to provide wholesome food while protecting soils, air quality and water quality. Organic food production relies on biological pest control, integrated pest management and no-tillage techniques in its production methods.
Organic farming relies on methods and practices such as crop rotation, composting, green manures, and no-tillage techniques to replenish the soil with organic matter rather than synthetic fertilisers. Organic farms may be either diversified or mixed. They are often family-owned and operated, with the land held in common. Using natural pest control methods is important in organic farming and keeping crop residue on the soil provides plant growth nutrients instead of synthetic fertilisers. No genetically modified organisms are used in organic agriculture.
SCOPE OF ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA
History of organic farming in India
The history of organic farming in India has seen a significant rise since the 1950s. Organic agriculture takes place without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. It also includes crop rotation and cover crops.
Before the 1950s, traditional agriculture was primarily dependent on natural resources. The farmers depended on rain, flood and dew for moisture, which was supplemented by manual labour. Pest control was through natural means like the use of biological pest control agents like parasitic nematodes. The development of mechanical farm implements in the early 20th century made farming easier and widespread mechanisation. However, the introduction of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the 1960s led to a significant increase in yields.
In India, the use of organic farming is restricted by law. For example, the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act 2017 prohibits synthetic fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides. In addition, the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Restriction on Sales) Act 1955 restricts the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables to non-agricultural consumers.
Current status of organic farming in India
Organic farming has increased over the years due to several factors, including government policies that have promoted it. Some of the factors that have helped promote organic farming in India include:
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in research on organic farming and its effects. There is also an increasing demand for organic food in urban areas, which has led to increased interest from various stakeholders like producers, retailers, consumers and policymakers.
The Government has introduced several policies that have effectively increased awareness about organic farming among farmers and other stakeholders to promote organic farming in India. Some of these include:
The main objective of the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Restriction on Sales ) Act 1955 is to protect the interest of consumers and retailers. The main aim is to restrict the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables (which are produced using conventional methods) to non-agricultural consumers.
A few years ago, many organic farmers faced many difficulties selling their products because of the lack of knowledge about organic farming among retailers. However, there has been a significant increase in awareness about organic farming over the years, leading to more demand for organic food from various stakeholders.
The Government’s approach towards promoting organic farming is based on three main principles:
Organic farming has gained popularity in India due to several factors, including being more productive than conventional methods. Organic agriculture produces higher yields and improves productivity. This means that organic farmers can grow more crops per unit of land. As a result, this reduces the cost of production and increases the farmer’s profits.
Organic farming also produces healthier food for humans and animals. This is because it reduces the use of pesticides, which are harmful to human health and can lead to several diseases like cancer, congenital disabilities etc. In addition, organic farming has a lower environmental impact than conventional farming.
Organic farmers can use natural resources more efficiently and thus reduce the cost of production, which increases their profits. They also benefit from higher yields and less wastage because they do not have to buy expensive fertilisers or pesticides. This is one of the major reasons organic farming is considered more profitable than conventional methods.
Organic farming also reduces the use of energy and water, which are scarce resources in India. This means that it helps conserve these natural resources for future generations, thus helping them have a better living standard.
Organic farming is more effective in controlling pests and diseases. It also helps prevent soil erosion, which is a major problem in India.
Benefits of organic farming
Organic farming is an agricultural method of farming that excludes artificial fertilisers and pesticides and genetic engineering. The main goal of organic farming is to produce healthy food without any harm to natural resources. Organic farmers focus on growing crops, raising livestock, and sustainably managing insect pests and weeds. This means that they take good care of the environment, animals, plants, soil, water and other natural resources.
Organic farming is also more effective than conventional methods in controlling pests and diseases. For example, insects can be controlled by crop rotation, natural predators, and reducing pest populations by planting resistant varieties. In addition, it is also easier to prevent pests using organic methods because they do not have to use harmful chemicals or other artificial inputs.
Types of Organic Farming Systems
There are many different organic farming systems, but the basic idea is that they do not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Instead, they use natural resources such as compost and manure to nourish crops. Depending on the type of farm, some farmers may also choose to rotate crops to prevent pests from becoming resistant to their pesticides. Organic farming systems include:
A – Integrated Farming Systems: This organic farming system uses conventional and organic methods on the same farm. Farmers use the best of both approaches, which often leads to a more sustainable farming system.
B – Ecological Farming Systems: This type of organic farming is more closely related to the concept of holistic management, which means that farmers are trying to consider their own needs and those of other species in the environment. This often includes taking care of both wildlife and crops, and it can also include the use of compost.
C – Mixed Farming Systems: This type of organic farming uses both conventional and organic methods in their farms. It usually includes an element of mixed cropping (crops grown together) to prevent pests from becoming resistant to pesticides.
D – High-Intensity Farming Systems: This type of organic farming system involves farmers using large amounts of energy and resources to produce crops, which often leads to a higher amount of pollution in the environment.
E – Integrated Pest Management: This is a type of organic farming system similar to Integrated Farming Systems, but it involves using pesticides and chemical fertilisers instead of natural resources.
F – Biodynamic Farming: This organic farming system uses spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation to help farmers sustainably grow their crops. Many biodynamic farms also focus on increasing the most natural, nutritious yields possible.
G – Ecological Agriculture: This type of organic farming system is similar to Integrated Farming Systems and Mixed Farming Systems, but it involves using more sustainable methods for raising livestock. Farmers will often use animal manure as fertiliser instead of chemical fertilisers.
H – General Organic Farming: This organic farming system focuses on growing crops without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Many organic farms use compost and other natural resources to help their plants grow.
I – Sustainable Agriculture: This type of organic farming system uses more sustainable methods for raising livestock, such as using animal manure to fertilise the soil. It is similar to Ecological Agriculture, but it also includes more conservation practices such as conserving water and limiting deforestation.
The main components of an organic farm
Organic Agriculture is an alternative form of agricultural production that uses different approaches and principles to conventional agriculture. Organic farming practices use natural resources, such as plants and animals, without chemical pesticides or fertilisers. To be considered organic, a farm must meet several standards created by APEDA (The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
Organic farms must meet the following standards:
The APEDA defines organic agriculture as “an agricultural production system using methods that are compatible with the maintenance of biodiversity, and emphasise cycling of resources, conservation tillage, limited use of fossil fuels, biological pest control, soil building and conservation tillage.” This definition focuses on how organic farming is carried out rather than the product.
The APEDA has created a list of “organic” products that must be labelled to be sold in stores and markets. These include:
– Non-synthetic fertilisers – No genetically modified organisms (GMOs ) – No irradiation or synthetic pesticides – No sewage sludge
Organic farming is not a defined process. It is a set of principles and practices that aim to improve the environment rather than produce specific products. These organic farming practices can be implemented in any setting, from large-scale farms to small family farms. Organic farming is based on the belief that natural systems are more resilient, healthier and productive than non-organic agriculture.
Organic farming uses organic practices to improve soil health and promote biodiversity. These include:
Many of these principles can be used in conventional agricultural production as well. Organic farming is often promoted as an alternative to traditional agriculture. However, there are many similarities between the two systems.
Organic farms use manure and compost for fertiliser rather than synthetic fertilisers. However, organic farmers can also use other plant nutrients (such as manures) or synthetic fertilisers, so long as they are not genetically modified.
Organic farms are more likely to have an open-field system than conventional farms. This allows for crop rotation and livestock grazing, which improves soil health and promotes biodiversity.
The APEDA definition also states that organic farms must use natural pest control methods, such as crop rotation and cover crops. This is done to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure to both people and animals.
Organic farms cannot use synthetic pesticides or herbicides, including glyphosate (such as Roundup). However, organic farmers can use other forms of pest control, such as biological controls and beneficial insects.
Organic farms are not allowed to use genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They must also follow the APEDA’s guidance on preventing GMOs from entering organic production systems. This includes taking precautions against contamination, preventing the transport of GMOs, and not allowing GMOs to be sold or used in organic production.
Organic farms are prohibited from using genetic engineering techniques to create “new” plants or animals. This includes breeding techniques that result in new forms of existing organisms (such as the creation of genetically modified plants or animals).
Organic farms are prohibited from using ionising radiation (such as X-rays and gamma rays) to improve the quality of their products. This is because these technologies may be harmful to human health, wildlife, and the environment. However, organic farmers can use ionising radiation to treat or prevent diseases.
Organic farms are prohibited from using antibiotics to promote growth, enhance performance, or prevent disease in animals raised for food. This practice can lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria and other microbes that could threaten human health. In addition, organic farms are prohibited from using growth hormones, which can affect the health of people and animals.
The APEDA has developed a National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This list includes all substances allowed in organic production systems by law or regulation, as well as other substances that are prohibited by law or regulation. The APEDA also lists substances allowed in organic production but may be regulated differently in different states and countries.
The Government of India established the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Agricultural, and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
APEDA assists agricultural and processed food exporters by providing general information, market research, export promotion services, and commercial insurance. It has been designated as the nodal agency for monitoring and evaluating export-oriented agricultural development activities in India. APEDA also acts as a bridge between Government, exporters, and traders to provide information on market trends, policies, regulations, and export guidelines.
The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body responsible for promoting and ensuring food safety standards in India. FSSAI is an autonomous organisation established by the Government of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (the FSSAI Act). The primary role of FSSAI is to promote food safety standards in India and regulate the use of food additives, antibiotics, hormones, chemicals or any other substances that may be harmful to human health.
The Indian Government has also established several committees to formulate policy on various aspects of organic farming. For example, the Standing Committee on Agriculture was set up in the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The Committee has four members, and it is chaired by a Cabinet Minister (Minister of State) nominated by the Prime Minister. It was set up on 26 August 1991 under Section 3(1)(d) and 4(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The other members are nominated by the President of India from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in matters relating to agriculture and the environment.
The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an apex research organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, promoting agricultural research and development in India. The council also undertakes studies on agro-based industries, conservation of natural resources, horticulture and allied activities.
Tools and equipment used in Organic Farming
Organic farming uses almost the same types of tools as conventional agriculture. Some of the most common tools used in India are rice transplanters, coconut tree climbers, sprayers, peanut diggers, round straw balers etc. The most important of all is that there are no artificial pesticides, chemical sprays and insecticides. Even the fertilisers used have to be natural ones without any artificial ingredients.
Organic farming is a system of farming that promotes and encourages the use of natural processes to grow crops. It uses compost, green manure, crop rotation, cover cropping, and other organic methods to maintain soil health for sustainable production. Organic farming methods are used today on about 40% of the world’s arable land.
Practices followed by farmers for sustainable agriculture.
Many farmers in INDIA follow a practice called no-till farming. No-till farming is a sustainable agriculture process that aims to keep as much of the land as possible untouched by ploughing it over with a farm tractor, making it less likely for soil erosion and more fertile.
No-till farming practices can help farmers produce more crops per acre, reduce the amount of fertiliser and pesticide used in the field, and improve soil health. No-till farming is also beneficial to wildlife because it keeps seed and other farm debris from drifting into areas where wildlife forage. No-till farming can also help farmers be more environmentally friendly by reducing the energy used in ploughing and tillage.
The environmental benefits of no-till farming are closely tied to the economic benefits since using less fertiliser and pesticide helps reduce the amount of fertiliser and pesticide needed, saving farmers money.
Factors affecting the success rate of Organic Farming System
Several factors affect the success rate of an Organic Farming System. These include climate, type and amount of soil, availability of water, types and levels of the organism in the ground, input sources such as irrigation water and fertilisers. Organic farming systems are very dependent on the climate in which they are implemented. Therefore, the success rate of an organic system depends on how well it can adapt to the local conditions. In general, good yields and high-quality products will be achieved when healthy soil has low weed growth and sufficient moisture for irrigation.
Climate plays a very important role in the success of an organic farming system. Climate determines how much water is available for irrigation and whether or not that soil will retain nutrients over time. Organic farmers are concerned with ensuring that their soils can produce high-quality crops while maintaining healthy levels of soil nutrients. In general, the more diverse the types of organisms in a particular area, the greater is its ability to retain and manage moisture. The organic farmer must be able to match their inputs with local conditions.
In general, farmers who implement an organic farming system are interested in using as many local resources as possible. Therefore, they will use their land to grow the most suitable crops for their location and climate. This includes natural inputs such as soil and organic inputs such as compost and manure from nearby livestock operations.
Criteria for evaluating the success rate of an Organic Farm
Organic farms are focused on using organic farming practices to grow to reduce pesticides, preserve soil quality, and conserve water. These farms are becoming more common as they have proven to decrease pesticide usage and increase crop yields. Organic farmers must have a good understanding of the ecological principles that guide their farming practices. They must also know how to use crop rotation, composting, and cover crops to improve soil quality over time.
Organic farmers are concerned with making sure that they produce high-quality products while maintaining healthy soil nutrients. This means that they must have a good understanding of the soil types in their region and best utilise them. They will use organic inputs such as compost, manure, or crop rotation to ensure their soils retain nutrients over time. The more diverse the types of crops grown, the more varied the types of nutrients will be in their ground. Therefore, organic farmers must understand how to use crop rotation and cover crops to help ensure that their soils retain these nutrients.
Organic farming requires a lot of hard work from organic farmers. This means that they must have the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality organic crops while maintaining healthy soil for their land. This will allow them to grow nutrient-rich produce without using any pesticides or other chemicals to do so.
Environmental impact assessment on an organic farm
The ecological impact of organic farms is largely unknown. However, organic farming has been associated with several adverse effects on wildlife and the environment. A study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2006 found that organic methods have more severe impacts on soil quality than conventional methods, including causing lower soil water retention and greater erosion. In addition, organic farming is associated with biodiversity loss in agricultural land due to an increased tendency for weeds to grow when no pesticides are used. The decline in biodiversity has been attributed to the lack of integrated pest management practices on organic farms. The use of herbicides and pesticides can lead to the loss of beneficial insects, vital for pollination. The conversion from conventional farming methods to organic farming has also been associated with changes in species composition on farms, with insect populations declining while pest populations increase.
This is because most farmers don’t have the knowledge or skills to use organic methods. This means that there is a lack of scientific research on organic farming practices, which leads to little understanding of how these practices affect the environment and their effects. There are also concerns that farmers can be less likely to implement the necessary practices without proper knowledge and skills, resulting in a negative environmental impact.
Organic farming is not without controversy. For example, concerns have been raised about whether organic foods are any healthier than conventional alternatives. As a result, there has been a call for increased regulation of the organic food industry by governments.
Blog Conclusion:
Organic farming is a natural way of farming that does not use chemicals or synthetic fertilisers to produce food. Organic agriculture is based on four principles:
- Not harm.
- Minimise the use of non-renewable resources.
- Increase ecological stability.
- Promote economic sustainability.
Organic farming may not be good for farmer cause of low production, but it produces are very good for human health. On the other hand, synthetic fertilisers and pesticides have created many problems for farmers, including the heavy use of these chemicals, which is not good for our health. Furthermore, the use of organic fertilisers and pesticides can decrease production, ensuring that the food we eat is safe to consume.
The green revolution was a massive change that happened in the second half of the last century. Worldwide, farmers moved away from traditional agriculture and started embracing modern “non-organic” agriculture. They started using high-yield crop varieties, which were specifically bred, chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Far from organic, but it saved lives. Norman Borlaug, the leader of the green revolution worldwide, received the Nobel peace prize and is credited with saving a billion from starvation. Just let that number sink in.
And in India, Swaminathan and others did the same. As a result, large-scale famine in India is a thing of the past. Many of us are alive today because the green revolution allowed our parents’ generation to eat.
Agriculture in India looks nothing like what it did fifty years ago. We have mechanised almost everything, the irrigation is anything but natural, and low-yield indigenous crops are only of sentimental value. And, of course, everyone uses pesticides and fertilisers.
Sure, there are a few farmers who do “organic” cultivation. But their product is more expensive, and their practice is not scalable. The population of India keeps growing, and development requires taking away land usage from agriculture. Sure, buy organic if you have the money for it. But the day all of the Indian farmland goes organic, many Indians will die of starvation. We need efforts to make agriculture even more efficient, which would allow us to produce more with the same resources and would do more good for the environment than any “organic” farming.