Ashima Choudhary, Dr Parshant Bakshi
In current scenario, some people by using harmful pesticides and fertilizers are putting their life at risk. In India, the growing population is a significant issue. The growing population means there is a growing need for food. To meet the demands for food production, hybrids, hazardous pesticides and chemical fertilizers are highly used from which the environment and human health are being negatively impacted.Now among the farmers the awareness about organic farming in India is increasing. About 2.78 million hectares of land in India are used for organic farming. India is a major producer of organic products including oilseeds, cereals, coffee, teaand dried fruits. India produces a large amount of these goods and exports them. The three main Indian states that cultivate organic products are Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Tripura. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are additional states that practise organic farming.
Food quality and safety are primary concerns of Indian consumers today and the practice of farming in an organic manner is not new. In India, the goal of organic farming is to cultivate crops while preserving the fertility of the soil.Utilising aquatic waste, waste crops, animal and farm waste, organic waste and other organic materials in a healthy manner. Organic farming is one of the several approaches found to meet the objectives of sustainable agriculture. Numerous organic farming methods such as intercropping, mulching and integrating crops and livestock, are not unique to any one agricultural system encompassing the customary farming methods used in historical nations like Asia.However, the use of practically all synthetic inputs is prohibited by a number of laws and certification programmes that support organic farming, and the method’s primary focus is acknowledged to be soil health. The negative impacts of contemporary farming methods have been extensively documented worldwide, not only on the farm but also on the environment and the health of all living things. People have been encouraged to think aloud by the application of technology, especially in relation to the widespread use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Soil erosion, salinization, water scarcity, soil contamination, genetic erosion and other environmental problems are examples of how they harm the ecosystem. In light of this, businesses are giving organic farming priority since it’s one of the best ways to reduce the usage of dangerous chemicals while simultaneously ensuring food security and enhancing farmers’ livelihood. The health of the agro ecosystem, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity is promoted and enhanced by an organic agricultural system. It increases crop yields, promotes soil and water conservation and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The environment and wildlife benefit greatly from organic production because it limits the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, manages noncropped habitats empathetically, and uses a mixed farming system.These benefits include preserving biodiversity, enhancing soil quality, luring beneficial insects with weed species, promoting pollination, and creating habitats for small mammals and birds. Apart from birds and small mammals, organic farms have approximately 30% higher species diversity such as spiders, earthworms, beetles, butterflies and soil microbes than conventional farms.As a result, conventional farming has been gradually replaced by organic and sustainable farming practises in the industry. The overall improvement of social welfare, environment and the general economy are all greatly benefited by organic farming.
The majority of financial exploitation by middlemen and big businesses falls on farmers. Farmers frequently cannot get fair prices for their produce because of improper implementation of the government’s minimum support price (MSP) system. They are consequently compelled to accept expensive loans from moneylenders. Debt is a vicious cycle that results in protests, poverty and farmer suicide.
Because of the growing demand for organic products worldwide, organic farming enables farmers to get higher prices for their produce. In India, there are many certified organic farmers who engage in organic farming and multiple number of farmers are practicing organic methods with the efforts of government and they can also get certification for their organic products. For example, PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certified cluster-based organic farming is encouraged by the ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojna (PKVY). Over the course of three years, the scheme provides INR 50,000 per hectare, of which 62% is allocated as an incentive for using organic inputs.
Organic farming have a positive impact on environment as it is a collection of farming techniques designed to protect and improve soil biodiversity and ecosystem welfare. It is accomplished by employing a variety of species, implementing crop rotations, and applying natural pest control methods. In organic farming, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is forbidden. It has a beneficial effect on climate change and aids in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Globally, organic farming is thought to increase biodiversity by about 34% and abundance by about 50%. Environmental conservation is benefitted from the protective role played by the organic farming. It depends on biodiversity, ecological processes and cycles that are adjusted to the local environment rather than artificial inputs. Three primary goals are frequently integrated by this system: social and economic equity, environmental health and economic profitability.
Due to the worldwide occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic consumers are now more concerned about their health and what food they are consuming. People want to know where and how their food is being grown. Food allergies, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, falling immunisations, dangerous diseases like cancer, and much more can be linked to chemical and pesticide residues in modern production, which can be mitigated by eating organic food. Since organic food doesn’t contain any dangerous chemicals or pesticides, it’s frequently thought to be healthier. Demand for and sales of organic products have surged due to the growing popularity of healthy eating practices, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins.
Variations in cultural season/weather, crop fertilizer/pesticide treatments, soil composition, and transportation/storage conditions all have an influence on the chemical composition of organic foods, which causes a difference in nutrient values between organic and conventional food products. As organic foods become more and more popular, people prefer to purchase these food products as a healthier option. However, it is still too early to draw a final conclusion, as scientists have found no consistent results in field research.
The market for organic food is expanding due to consumer changes in lifestyle, increased income levels, and growing health consciousness. Organic farming has the potential to make a major economic contribution to India. The industry has a positive effect on GDP growth, job creation, and export revenue. It encourages sustainable development as well. Of all industries, agriculture accounts for 14% of GDP and employs 42% of workers. The nation can make a major GDP growth contribution and potentially lead the world in organic agriculture. Apparently, the recent market expansion of organic food products has been fueled by research as well as consumer demand.
Farmers are not the only one who gain profit financially from organic farming. Increased demand and output from input suppliers to retailers benefit the entire value chain. In India, organic farming’s future lies in expanding its cultivated area, fostering farmer-to-consumer relationships and establishing supportive policy frameworks. The private sector has also encouraged organic farming in India, even though the government has taken some steps in this direction. While some businesses have established their own organic farms, others have given farmers financial support to switch to organic practises. In terms of organic agriculture, India could lead the world if the proper policies are put in place.
(The authors are Ph.D Scholar and Head, Division of Fruit Science Skuast-jammu)
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