Organic Farming: Alternative Approach for Sustainable Agriculture
For: YUVA Rural, Nagpur
Submitted on: 13th of March, 2009
Acknowledgement
Acronyms
Introduction
1. Setting the Context
1.2 Objective of the study
2. Literature Review – Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture
2.1 Principles of Organic Farming
2.2 Organic Certification Process
3. The Project; Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Program
3.1 Project Objectives and Outreach
3.2 Strategies and components of the projects
3.3 Major Components of the Program
4. Area (districts) of Intervention in Vidarbha Region
5. Findings of the Study
5.1 Opportunities
5.2 Challenges
6. Organic agriculture: its relevance to Indian farming
7. Economics of Organic Farming
8. Conclusion
Acknowledgement
I am deeply indebted to my agency supervisor, Mr. Jitendra Deshmukh for ensuring the activities and tasks taken up by me would seek something back in return. His stimulating suggestions, valuable hints, encouragement in all time has strengthen and kept me focused throughout the process.
I am obliged to Mr. Nitin Mate, Program Coordinator, NRM and Livelihood for scheduling the field visit for the study. Further extend my gratitude to Mr. Pratap Mane, Office in-charge Akola unit and Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators of Akola and Buldhana Districts, for being with me throughout the visits; assisting and guiding me with necessary inputs without which this report would not be materialize.
Dated: March 13th, 2009 Thanglianmung Tonsing
Place: Nagpur BASW (RD), 2006-09
Acronyms
APEDA : Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority
APMC : Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee
FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization
FYM : Farm Yard Manures
GM : Genetically Modified
IFOAM : International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement
INR : Indian Rupee
INSAM : Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Method
INSAP : Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Program
MNCs : Multi National Corporations
NPK : Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus
NPOP : National Program for Organic Production
SHGs : Self Help Groups
WHO : World Health Organization
YUVA : Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action
Introduction
Mahatma Gandhi once emphasized and has a vision of Gram-Swaraj, a village where farmers were to be the main focus of any development plan of the country. However, as years passed, agriculture as an industry has lost its importance and was often ignored by policy makers of India. This over the time caused severe distress among the farmers leading to recent dramatic rise in the number of suicides among farmer community.
India consisting of 16% of world's population sustains only on 2.4% of land resource. Agriculture sector is the only livelihood to the two-third of its population which gives employment to the 57% of work force and is a raw material source to large number of industries. Despite of portrayal of farming as a healthy and happy way of life, agriculture sector experiences one of the highest numbers of suicides and breakdown than any other industry. Being into modern agriculture, which depends on the uses of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, results in deterioration of the cultivated land and the nearby environment.
Many farms are now so badly ruined such that it is not possible to grow any crops since their soil physical condition was severely damaged; the farmers themselves are often in debt with poor health as the result of the effect of the application of dangerous synthetic pesticides. This has aroused many people to seek for alternative approach, and organic farming was suggested.
Out of curiosity, this paper made an attempt to highlight the potentials of organic farming in sustaining livelihood and as well the practice of sustainable agriculture. Attempts were also made to highlight challenges and threats of organic farming.
1. Setting the Context
Since past few years, the region is making headlines due to the spate of farmer’s suicides and malnutrition deaths in its tribal areas. All districts in Vidarbha are underdeveloped when compared to Maharashtra or India. The irony is that, Vidarbha is well endowed with natural resources. It has the cotton belt, paddy belt, orange belt and also the heist yield per hectare, but children continue to die of malnutrition, specifically in tribal areas where the cultivated land per household is small and cropping intensity is less in comparison to the other areas, thus leading to poverty[1]. Moreover, it has surplus electricity generation of 1300 million units, which is provided to Maharashtra in a grid, but its people continue to live virtually power-free with around six hours of daily lead shedding in rural areas. Not only that, Vidarbha has 92% of mineral wealth of Maharashtra and 56% of its forests. Still, most of the villages in Vidarbha are badly in need of basic social infrastructure like all-weather roads, drinking water, regular electricity, primary health care, and basic education.
In Vidarbha (basically a low rainfall area), the major crop is cotton, jawar (Barley), and pulses and people rely more on dry farming. Irrigated farming is insignificant and seen only in very few pockets where major rivers provide water for the whole year. With the cumulative effect of these reasons coupled with environmental antagonism and exploitation of the farmers in all sectors made them pessimistic toward life resulting into development of suicidal tendency in them. The remedial measures undertaken by the government did not show any immediate positive effect in the attitude of the farmers. Majority of suicide cases are from cotton growing areas. The cotton farmers in India paying more prices for inputs like seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, electricity, water, and labor whereas the price of cotton has gone down along with decreased productivity[2].
1.2 Objective of the study
- To understand the concept of organic farming as an alternative approach to agriculture
- To highlight the importance of organic farming and its economic viability
- To explore the potentials of organic farming in sustaining livelihood, challenges and threats.
2 Literature Review – Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture
Organic Farming is a form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests, excluding or strictly limiting the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed addictive and genetically modified organism[3]. It is also defined as a “holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system”[4].
The roots of organic farming can be traced to the Europe back to the first quarter of the early 20th century. In 1924, the Austrian philosopher Dr. Rudolf Steiner conceptualized and advocated organic agriculture and in 1927 a trademark ‘Demeter; was introduced for organic food produced. Soil fertility was maintained through crop rotation and careful management and use of animal manure.
The formation of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) in 1972 gave an international framework for the discussion and codification of internationally recognized principles of organic farming. Some of these are[5]:
1. To produce food of high quality in sufficient quantity.
2. To interact in a constructive and life-enhancing way with natural systems and cycles.
3. To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the organic production and processing systems.
4. To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals.
5. To maintain and increase the long-term fertility of soils.
6. To maintain the genetic diversity of the production system and its surroundings, including the protection of wildlife habitats.
7. To promote the healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein.
8. To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organized production systems.
9. To give all livestock conditions of life with due consideration for the basic aspects of their innate behavior.
10. To minimize all forms of pollution.
11. To allow every one involved in organic production and processing a quality of life which meets their basic needs and allows an adequate return and satisfaction from their work, including a safe working environment.
12. To progress towards an entire production, processing, and distribution chain which is both socially just and ecologically responsible.
A large number of terms are used as an alternative to organic farming. These are: biological agriculture, ecological agriculture, bio-dynamic, organic-biological agriculture and natural agriculture. According to the National Organic Standards Board of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) the word ‘Organic’ has the following official definition, “An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on the minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”
The demand for organic food is steadily increasing both in the developed and developing countries with an annual average growth rate of 20–25%. Organic farming can be stated as one of the fastest growing sectors of agricultural production. Many techniques used in organic farming - such as inter-cropping, mulching, and integration of crops and livestock - are practiced under various agricultural systems. What makes organic agriculture unique is that, under various laws and certification programs, almost all synthetic inputs are prohibited and "soil building" crop rotations are mandatory. Properly managed, organic farming reduces or eliminates soil and water pollution and helps conserve water and soil on agricultural lands. Organic farming is one of several approaches to Sustainable Agriculture. Organic farming does not mean the use of organic manures and natural methods of plant protection instead of using synthetic fertilizers/pesticides but to improve health of underlying productivity of soil.
By Sustainable Agriculture, it refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing severe or irreversible damage to ecosystem health. It integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities[6].
Although air and sunlight are available everywhere on Earth, crops also depend on soil nutrients and the availability of water. When farmers grow and harvest crops, they remove some of these nutrients from the soil. Without replenishment, land suffers from nutrient depletion and becomes either unusable or suffers from reduced yields. Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such as natural gas (used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer), or mineral ores (e.g., phosphate). Possible sources of nitrogen that would, in principle, be available indefinitely, include:
- Recycling crop waste and livestock or human manure
- Growing legume crops and forages such as peanuts or alfalfa that form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia
- Industrial production of nitrogen by the Haber Process uses hydrogen, which is currently derived from natural gas, (but this hydrogen could instead be made by electrolysis of water using electricity (perhaps from solar cells or windmills)) or
- Genetically engineering (non-legume) crops to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses or fix nitrogen without microbial symbionts.
2.1 Principles of Organic Farming
Other principles besides its aim to work as much as possible within the closed system and draw upon local resources are:
· To maintain the long term fertility of soils
· To avoid all forms of pollution that may results from agricultural techniques
· To produce food stuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity
· To reduce the use of fossil energy in agriculture practice to minimum
· To give livestock conditions of life that confirms to their physiological need
· To make it possible for agricultural producers to earn a living through their work and develop their potentialities as human being.
Six organizations have been designated by the central government to accredit certifying agencies (international or domestic) that undertake inspection and certification of organic products. These organizations are APEDA, the Tea Board, the Spices Board, the Coffee Board, the Coconut Development Board, and the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa. National organic standards have been established under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP). India currently has 11 accredited agencies that certify organic farm produce for export. IMO (Switzerland), ECOCERT (Germany), Skal international (Netherlands), SGS (Switzerland), and Lacon (Germany) are some of the international ones. Indocent, based in Kerala, is among the accredited domestic agencies.
Certification, due to its high cost, has been the primary hindrance for organic producers interested in taking up organic farming on a large scale. According to a survey by Og-Marg, the flat fee for report preparation and certificate issue is about INR 10, 000 and an additional INR 12, 000/ day was estimated fro the travel and inspection of small farmers and cooperative. For the large and medium-sized processors, estate manufacturer and exporters, the travel and inspection component was estimated to be higher - at INR 16, 000/day and INR 19, 000/day respectively[7].
2.2 Organic Certification Process
Certification of organic products is an essential prerequisite for marketing of the produce and to attract premium in the international markets. Certification is one way of ensuring that the products claimed to be organic are actually produced according to organic farming principles. It is a way of protecting consumers, producers and traders against the use of misleading or deceptive labels. It is also a marketing instrument enabling producers to access markets for organic products and obtains premium prices. Certification racks and controls the flow of products from primary production at farm level to each stage of manufacturing right to the final product that reaches the consumer.
Broadly the certification process consists of
(a) Inspection (Control) to verify that production and handling are carried out in accordance with standards against which certification is to be done and
(b) Certification to confirm that production and handling conforms to standards.
The documents to be maintained include field map, field history sheet, activity register, input record, output record, harvest record, storage record, sales record, pest control records, movement record, equipments cleaning records and labeling records. It may be prudent to obtain certification for export by the certification bodies of the importing countries. In such a case, the advantage for the exporter is that the logos of these bodies are well known and trusted by consumers in their countries, thus giving the product a better visibility and commercial advantage. The major drawback is that this type of certification can be very expensive. In order to reduce costs to producers and exporters, international certification bodies have started establishing branches in producing centres utilizing the services of local organic inspectors. International certification bodies such as Ecocert have established local branches in producing countries. Organic certification can also be carried out by local certification bodies accredited by the authorities of the importing countries[8].
The guidelines for organic certification varies from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping are set, it includes:
- Avoidance of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizers , pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc.), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge;
- Use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (often, there or more);
- Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
- Maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non certified products;
- Undergoing periodic on-site inspections.
Organic certification addresses a growing worldwide demand for organic food. It is intended to assure quality and prevent fraud, and to promote commerce. While such certification was not necessary in the early days of the organic movements, when small farmers would sell their produce directly at farmers’ markets, as organics have grown in popularity, more and more consumers are purchasing organic food through traditional channels, such as supermarkets. As such, consumers are divorced from the growers, and so must rely on third-party regulatory certification.
3. The Project; Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Program
The project, Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Program is highlighted in the midst of the study report as the learner takes a glance on organic farming as an alternative approach for Sustainable Agriculture particularly based on the INSAP initiatives and its intervention.
The Integrated sustainable Agriculture Program was initiated in January 2002 in five districts of Vidarbha region with a ten year perspective. The Project implemented in the region is a collaborative stride/supported of SWISS–AID India (Swiss Foundation for Development Co-Operation) and YUVA towards sustainable resource management in Vidarbha, which is resource-scarce zone, having heterogeneous agro-climatic condition.
The project is implemented in four districts of western Vidarbha (districts of Buldhana, Washim, Akola and Amravati) and one district from central Vidarbha (Wardha). Agriculture is a major sector, which has the potential to create employment in Vidarbha. The real problem is increased input cost and declining productivity of land. Sustainable agriculture is the only solution for the region, with this as the backdrop, INSAP was initiated in the Vidarbha region[9].
3.1 Project Objectives and Outreach
- To study traditional practices and existing innovation in Vidarbha and outside to evolve integrated sustainable Practices and promote/spread the same in rural Vidarbha.
- To reach more than 50% farmers in Vidarbha directly and indirectly through mass awareness and extension programs and involve minimum 35% farmers in implementing the INSAP.
- To establish input support systems such as research, training, supply, credit and output support system like processing, marketing, etc. through people’s institution.
- To plan and implement extensive education and training programs fro different groups involved in the process.
- To introduce village resource planning and development in the Gram Sabha through the farmers associations towards self-dependent village.
3.2 Strategies and components of the projects
- Building people’s organization for direct actions
- Increasing awareness through various awareness measures
- Conducting popular education for building awareness
- Enabling the people for the fulfillment of basic needs
- Supporting people centred and sustainable alternatives
- Building networks and alliance for social transformation
- Conducting research aimed at formulating and influencing policy
- Undertaking documentation and strategic information dissemination
- Engaging in advocacy and lobbying aimed at participatory governance
3.3 Major Components of the program
The major components of the programme are:
- Education and awareness
- Skill based trainings
- Formation of Farmer’s associations
- Development of demonstration plots
- Educational materials production
- Workshops and seminars
- Research and Documentation
- Networking
- Advocacy and Lobbing
5. Findings of the study
Over the last seven years, INSAP under the initiatives of YUVA Rural has been building blocks towards creating an integrated system with a view to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers in synergy with the ecological and political environment of the region in five districts of Maharashtra covering 600 villages of 24 Talukas. A total of 52000 individual farmers, 200 promoting farmers/cadres and 100 each of Youth and women promoting farmers[10].
Based on the field visits, it could be noted that the INSAP process continues to spread its root deeper and wider into the region of Vidharba, which bogs down and are shaken by farmer suicides. It also gives a clear picture that farmers’ suicides is dependent on productivity as well as profitability from farming as the project INSAP by concentrating on making agriculture a productive venture for the farmers through its techniques of farming and strategies could prevent farmers from committing suicide[11]. The later implies a farming system that primarily aims at cultivating land and raising crops under ecologically favorable condition. It emphasizes restricting the use of chemical inputs whether it is inorganic fertilizers or pesticides and instead, relies more on an integrated approach of crop management practices making use of cultural, biological and Natural inputs.
Initially, only a few farmers (large land holdings) were ready to take up the INSAP techniques, as most of them were under the influence of the propaganda of government agencies and private companies that agro-chemical, hybrid and GM seeds sold by big companies are of crucial importance to increasing yields.
Probing more into the strategies used to convey the techniques of INSAP to the rural masses, it has been observed that farmers are asked only to devote at least a small part of their land to see if a much cheaper alternative is possible[12]. However, farmers were not ready to take the risks in organic farming until they witness its possibility in their own eye. Over years, the eager farmers watched the results of these experiments, they were thrilled to see that if they applied INSAP techniques of nourishing land and fighting pests while also carrying out soil and water conservation, then yields can be maintained at the same level while the costs of inputs decline very steeply, sometimes to negligible levels. The overall result is that net income per acre increases significantly. As soil health improves, the results are better and lesser efforts is needed in subsequent years.
Addition of organic manures, recycling of organic wastes through composting, green manures and biological inputs like vermicomposts and biofertilizers etc. constitute important components for plant nutrient management in organic farming. Similarly it also takes utmost advantage of the natural mechanism for pest management with utilization of bioagents such as predators and parasites available in nature in plenty and the botanical pesticides whichare effective in controlling crop pests posing no risk to the environment. Agronomic practices such as crop rotation with judicious selection of crops, inter cropping and companion cropping, stubble mulching and use of resistant varieties are among the important factors contributing to organic farming.
Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Model (INSAM), a full – fledged model was the outcome of the initial two years of intervention through comprehensive study based on the various practices ranging from the soil, nutrition, pest and water management. This model incorporates the ten (10) practices and principles such as Amrut Sanjeevak, Lamit, Composting, seed Coating, etc[13]. This model was promoted by using mass awareness programs, exposure visits, and by providing educational material like pamphlets, posters, etc. Thus, by promoting the use of organic manures and by avoiding conventional framing practices, the farmers are now into organic farming which requires low input cost and by nurturing the soil fertility; conserving and preventing soil erosion. This in turn increases the productivity of the farm and the soil fertility over years though the productivity of the farm decreases when one shifts from conventional to organic farming.
For example, leaves of neem, babool and other local trees are kept in water for a long time and this water is then sprayed to keep away harmful pests. A mixed water locally known as Amrit Sanjeevan (nectar to revive and cure farmland) is made from cow-dung, cow-urine, water jaggery and gram flour to nourish crops and soil.
5.1 Opportunities
Organic Manures in Organic Farming
Organic manure in a broad sense includes composts from rural and urban wastes, crop residues, agro industrial bio wastes and green manures. Organic manure improves soil physical condition including soil porosity and water holding capacity and microbial environment, replenishes essential micronutrients in soil, increases the utilization efficiency of applied fertilizers and favors micronutrient availability to the plant.
It has been observed that organic manures are of paramount importance not only in augmenting the crop production but also for making the agriculture sustainable as an eco-friendly means of soil health management. It is well established that FYM (Farm Yard Manures) plays an additional role than its capacity to contribute NPK (Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus). Where Nitrogen help the plant in growing and, Potassium and Phosphorus help the plant to glow.
Estimates suggest that a 40-50 days old green manure crop can supply up to 80-100 kg. N/ha. Even if half of this N is crop utilizable, a green manure crop can be a substitute to 50-60 kg. fertilizer N/ha. Some of the potential green manuring legumes are dhanicha, sunhemp, cowpea, moong, bean, guar and berseem etc. Dhanicha, sun hemp, moong bean and guar grown during kharif season as green manure crops have been reported to contribute 8-21 tones of green matter and 42-95 kg. of N/ha. Similarly, Khesari, cowpea and berseem grown during rabi season can contribute 12-29 tons of green matter and 67-68 kg of N/ha[14].
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is one and the other effective means of composting the decomposable organic wastes using earthworms naturally present in the soil. Vermicomposting is a mixture of worm casts enriched with macro and micronutrients.
The nutrient level of vermicomposts (1-1.5%N, 0.6-0.8% P and 1.2-1.5 K) is higher than any other compost[15]. From the available information and field visits, it was noticed that earthworms can consume all types of organic matter and convert them into available form of nutrients. This improves the physical and biological condition of soil, improves soil fertility and pulverizes it through their churning and turning action in addition to contributing plant nutrients, improves aeration and water holding capacity. Thus, this form of composting the decomposable organic waste is a natural means of soil fertility management, which fits well into integrated plant nutrient management strategy for sustainable agriculture.
Cultivation with Minimum Tillage
The conventional tillage operation has disastrous effect on soil erosion causing greater loss of nutrients. As a result, the project encourages the farmers to practice minimum tillage which contributes to conservation of soil and moisture besides it offers cost effective. The interaction with the farmers also reveals that it gives as good and even better yield than the conventional tillage practices.
Selection of Crops for Crop Rotation, Inter Cropping and Companion Cropping
Crop rotation has an important role to play in organic farming. Judicious selection of crops in crop rotation helps in efficient utilization of plant nutrient from different depths of soil. The practice of inter cropping also helps in minimizing the risk of crop failure due to uncertain rainfall and infestation of pest and diseases. It has been observed that the practice can reduce the wilt diseases of red gram. Moreover, fixed nitrogen of red gram could be utilized by the sorghum crop.
NGOs initiatives
Apart from the government, if the NGO sector focus and emphasize much more that the present efforts in developing linkages with farmers and engaged in promotion of organic farming by providing training, extension services, information and marketing services to farming communities. It could be more effective in the approach towards sustainable agriculture and as well sustaining the livelihood of the farmers.
Other related opportunities
The followings are some of the points that can be noted, which organic faming has promised as an alternative approach to sustainable agriculture. The points are:
- Organic farming has the capacity to improve the quality of food, producing healthy food which is free from harmful chemicals and likely to be more nutritious. Several health hazards including cancer caused by food contaminated by dangerous chemicals will be avoided.
- Organic farming helps to improve the quality of soil, as soil will be protected from harm caused by agro-chemicals. Earthworms as well as other soil-organisms can be re-generated and contribute to be natural fertility of land as protecting soil and maintaining the fertility of land is the key to the sustainability of farming systems.
- Organic farming has the potential to significantly reduce farming costs, as cash-expenditure on some expensive inputs like chemical fertilizers, insecticides and weedicides can be avoided. Any effort to significantly reduce the cost of production of the farmers helps them significantly to reduce indebtedness, distress due to inaccessibility to credits, high rate of interests, etc. And, by addressing these concerns and issues, the farmers will be in a position to sustain their livelihood sources, income, and get satisfaction to the profession they are into.
- It also help the farming communities to be independent and self-reliant, as can reduce their dependence on those forces, corporate or other, which have troubled and destabilized farming communities by providing seeds, insecticides or other inputs of dubious merit, by imposing exploitative contractual arrangements and in other ways. In the middle of so-much distress caused to farming communities who tried expensive new technologies or contractual arrangements, many farmers who have been able to reduce the excessive dependence (among other ways by giving up agro-chemicals) have experienced economic betterment, stability, a situation over which they have control and hence much less reason for any stress and tension.
- In places where there is market for organic products, it is possible for organic farmers to obtain a better price for their produce which is higher by 20% than conventional farm produce. Moreover, it also has the capacity to dominate domestic market and as well international markets.
- Organic farming is farming carried out using local resources and labors and much more in tune with the cherished concept of family farming.
5.2 Challenges
Though organic foods have opened path to development and prosperity but there are number of challenges in attaining it. These challenges can be broadly classified into:
- Price – There are expectations of getting premium price for the organic produce in domestic and foreign markets. But premiums must not be overestimated. US, the largest importer of organic food, accept price premium of 10-20% or maximum 25% and not more than that. If the prices increase they may reduce the quantity of export after a certain limit. So, farmers and traders should realize realistic prices.
- Sustainable Increase Of Farmers Income – Also, the price premium goes to intermediaries and farmers do not get their share. So, there should be transparency in the system and the farmers should be made aware and given their due share. Following methods should be followed so that we can increase the profit and reduce the cost of production:
- Efficiency in system- Alternate distribution models should be followed with reduced number of intermediaries. Export should be carried through government agencies and the Tariff and Non-Tariff duty on organic foods should be reduced. This will motivate the farmers and help them getting profit.
- Accessibility –It focuses on the challenges of catering to the demand of the people in terms of availability of the quality and quantity of products and the ease of finding these products. Generally there is improper reliability on exporters and poor understanding of demand. The suppliers are financially not stable and do not have reliable information about products from India. Challenges are also faced due to slow shipment and restriction for importing Indian organic food. Quality and quantity is hampered due to improper infrastructure. Low consistency and contamination are other such factors. Customers find it difficult in getting the products from where they shop. This is due to poor market information and network. So, there should be increase in easily locatable retail chains.
Proper training and dissemination of information among traders in needed, like establishment of Internet portals to enable easy access to information on Indian organic products. Standardization and branding of products should be strictly followed. Improvement in logistics & supply chain and reduction in tariffs & relaxation in customs procedures is needed.
- Time lag and Cost of Turning to Organic Agriculture from Conventional Farming – Change in agriculture practices is equivalent to changing the culture and mindset of farmers, which can be drawn by a long drawn interface. Given the mandated gestation period of around three years for a conventional farm to become an organic farm, the benefits perceived by the farmers in general and small & marginal farmers in particular tend to be limited as they have short-term orientation. Existing subsidy structure enhances the use of chemicals subsiding organic farming. These inputs are considered more effective than bio-inputs. Bio-inputs are of low quality, not readily available, have limited shelf life and taking relatively more time for getting effective. The farmer expect premium price for their produce but do not get due to intermediaries. So, keeping in view these challenges government should gradually phase out subsidy on conventional inputs and promote bio-inputs. Grants in form of financial assistance for converting to organic farming and support to meet certification fees should be given. Special Organic risk insurance scheme should be launched. Farmers should be trained for efficient use of bio-inputs, latest techniques, promotion & selling techniques. Above all farmers should be organized and given proper margins for there produce.
- Government – It is compulsory that no certified organic products can be exported under organic banner unless certified by duly accredited agencies designated by the Government. There is little direct support from government in terms of subsidies and market support as compared to conventional inputs. There is no strategic attention for greening agriculture, so government should take strong steps in reducing time lag and paper work, training and educating the producers and exporters along with providing financial assistance. Special organic agriculture trade zone must be established. Government support is needed in creation of database, creation of multiple platforms to coordinate efforts for market development and promotion of NGO’s, input producers, traders and exporters.
- Land holdings (area) – Most of the farmers in the area are outlined as having small landholding (not more than 5 acres) and are poor. These have very little credit facilities in the region and the farmers cannot effort or meet all the necessary inputs to get high yields. They are also not directly connected to markets to buy or sell food. On the other hand, larger land holders have the resources to purchase the inputs and use them more effectively. They also have direct access to market as a result of their purchasing power. Since, organic farming’s main attraction is for export. The major constraint or challenges of these small and marginal farmers are lack of credit at low interest rates, absence of crop insurance, lack of market infrastructure and cold storage facilities.
Regardless to its achievement and opportunities, on the other hand, it is merely possible for the farmers to shift from conventional to organic farming at once, particularly for the poor and marginal farmers who has small land holding, as in the initial years of farming, the production decline even to 35% of its annual production. Those farmers who has large land holdings are of more advantageous to reap the profit of this organic farming as they can partly engaged in conventional and organic farming due to the land availability and were in a position to withstand the risk factor as they have alternative sources of income.
5.3 Threats
Sustainable Agriculture Organic Farming is becoming more and more popular not only in United States of America and France but also in almost all parts of the world. It is the most healthy proposition available to the consumers. Sustainable Agriculture Organic Farming is the method of optimum utilization of the environmental actors without doing harm to it. The inorganic pesticides as well as insecticides are not used in this form of agricultural farming.
The products (crops and the animal products) that are produced through Sustainable Agriculture Organic Farming are a healthier one to consume along with better taste than the usual factory farming products. This method especially emphasizes the symbiosis between the environment and the human community. This means that the organic inputs are utilized in the Sustainable Agriculture Organic Farming process which ensures that
- On one hand, the food which is being available is of high quality, rich with all required nutritional ingredients and tastier than its counterparts produced through factory farming
- On the other hand, the environment around us is not affected adversely by the farming procedures.
As a result of the above two basic stated points, in this highly profitable proposition, the multinational corporations are getting involved in it which are aggressively becoming industrial organics and are violating the basic norms of sustainable agriculture. Some of these violations involve lack of free space for the animals meant for grazing and are bred indoor. These transnational corporations (TNCs) are bypassing the small farmers for production of crops..
6. Organic Agriculture: its relevance to Indian Farming
Organic farming is not new to Indian farming community. Several forms of organic farming are being successfully practiced in diverse climate, particularly in rain fed, tribal, mountains and hill areas of the country. Much of the forest produce of economic importance like herbs, medicinal plants, etc. are also utilized till today.
Only 35% of India’s total cultivable area is covered with fertilizers where irrigation facilities are available and in the remaining 65% of arable land, which is mainly rain-fed or depending on monsoon. In this area, fertilizers and other chemicals are used in a negligible amount. Farmers in these areas often use organic manure as a source of nutrients that are readily available either in their own farm or in their locality. The north-eastern region of India provides considerable scope and opportunity for organic farming due to least utilization of chemical inputs. It is estimated that 18 million hectare[16] of such land is available in the North-East, which can be exploited for organic production. With the sizable acreage under naturally organic/default organic cultivation, India has tremendous potential to grow crops organically and emerge as a major supplier of organic products in the worlds organic market. Need is for putting up a clear strategy on organic farming and its link with the markets.
7. Economics of Organic Farming
The interest in organic agriculture in developing countries is growing because it places more reliance on the natural and human resources available, requires less financial input and provides safe food while conserving the environment. Organic agriculture does not need costly investments in irrigation, energy and external inputs, but rather organic agricultural policies have the potential to improve local food security, especially in marginal areas.
It can be noted that, the greatest impact of organic agriculture is on the mindset of people. The practice uses traditional and indigenous farming knowledge, while introducing selected modern technologies to manage and enhance diversity, to incorporate biological principles and resources into farming systems, and to ecologically intensify agricultural production, Thus, traditional knowledge has become an integral part of it. By adopting organic agriculture, farmers are challenged to take on new knowledge and perspectives, and to innovate. This leads to an increased engagement in farming which can trigger greater opportunities for rural employment and economic upliftment.
8. Conclusion
The government, private sector and producer associations each have a necessary role to play in promoting and facilitating marketing of organic produce. How the various pieces fit together in order to increase value and marketability of farmers’ produce is a challenge and will require additional work to make the system function properly. Technical advice on how these processes function in other places and the roles of the different players would be very helpful.
However, it is necessary to acknowledge that giving up those harmful and hazardous chemicals is enough, but also to give attention to the various factors in which organic farming flourishes, that is by conserving soil, water and moisture, and by protecting and promoting biodiversity. With full potential, Organic Farming can be harnessed and country’s commitment on food and other economic activity can be sustained.
[2] Excerpt from Organic Farming in India; Towards Sustainable Agriculture by Bharat Dogra
[3] From Wikipedia on Organic Farming
[4] FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission
[5] Excerpt from Modern concept of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad
[6] Excerpt from Wikipedia, Sustainable Agriculture
[7] Excerpt from Organic products: India’s Potential, by F&A Research and Advisory
[8]Excerpt from Organic Farming: System Set Up, by K. Usha
[9] Excerpt from INSAP brochure, SWISS-AID INDIA
[10]Data gathered from INSAP Coordinator, YUVA Rural
[11]Point noted during interaction & discussion with farmers in field.
[12] Point noted from the interaction with INSAP Coordinator, YUVA Rural
[13] Kindly refer annexure 01 for the 10 practices & principles of INSAM
[14]Excerpt from Organic farming for Sustainable Agriculture, by Dr B.B. Mishra and Dr. K.C. Nayak
[15] Excerpt from Organic farming for Sustainable Agriculture, by Dr B.B. Mishra and Dr. K.C. Nayak
[16] Organic Farming: Potentials and Strategies, by Mangala Rai
[17] Noted from the interaction had with INSAP Coordinator