India has established a notable position in the global sphere of organic farming. With the highest number of organic farmers and ranking ninth in terms of area under organic farming, India’s organic agriculture sector has been earning recognition worldwide.
The Indian Scenario for Organic Farming
In 2016, Sikkim broke new ground by becoming the first state in the world to go completely organic. The North East regions of India have also been traditionally following organic farming practices, which implies a considerably lesser usage of chemicals when compared to the rest of the country. Likewise, tribal and island territories have been practicing organic farming for many years.
Exports of organic products, including flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice, and pulses, have increased significantly. Between 2018 and 2019, organic exports saw a boost of nearly 50%, reaching INR 5151 crore. The commencement of exports from states like Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland to international destinations such as the UK, USA, Eswatini, and Italy substantiates the increasing demand for health foods globally.
Governing Initiatives towards Organic Farming
The government has launched several initiatives to enhance organic farming. One of these is the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER), an initiative launched in 2015 under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). This scheme aims to develop certified organic production and support the entire value chain within eight northeastern states. Another initiative is the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which promotes organic farming through cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.
Certification Schemes for Organic Farming
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is entrusted with the task of regulating organic food in the country’s domestic market and imports. The Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) are two primary certification schemes. PGS ensures production in accordance with laid-down quality standards while NPOP grants organic farming certification for export purposes.
Boosting Organic Farming with Various Schemes
Several other schemes have been launched to further organic farming. The Soil Health Card Scheme, for example, has reduced the use of chemical fertilizers by 8-10% and increased productivity by 5-6%. The Agri-export Policy 2018, focusing on clusters and marketing and promotion of “Produce of India”, has positively impacted organic farming. Similarly, the One District – One Product (ODOP) programme encourages visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products.
Further Support through the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)
Launched as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, the PM FME scheme aims at embedding modern technologies and providing affordable credit to small entrepreneurs, helping them to penetrate new markets.
Organic Farming and Zero Budget Natural Farming
Zero budget natural farming, a technique of organic agriculture that draws from traditional Indian practices, is gaining recognition. FSSAI defines ‘organic farming’ as a farm management system that does not use synthetic external inputs such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides, synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.
The Road Ahead for Organic Farming in India
Natural farming is nothing new to India. Since ancient times, farmers have cultivated their lands without chemicals, relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. This method of farming aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2 – ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. With increased awareness and capacity building in accordance with international standards, Indian organic farmers are poised to strengthen their presence in the global agricultural trade.
