Organic farming system in India is not new and is being
followed from ancient time. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic waste (crop, animal & farm waste, aquatic waste) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (Bio fertilizers) to release nutrients to crop for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly pollution free environment. To be considered ORGANIC:
0 must be produced without synthetic pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. 0 Can not be grown by use of genetic engineering 0 Bans use of sewage sludge as fertilizers 0 No irradiation of food to preserve it 0 No use of hormones and/or antibiotics in organic meat and diary products
Strict farming methods = costly production
HISTORY OF ORGANIC FARMING 0 Organic Farming was the original type of agriculture. 0 Forest gardening, a fully organic food production system which dates from prehistoric times. 0 The organic movement began in the mid-1920s in central Europe. 0 The term organic farming was first coined by Lord North Bourne in his book Look to the land 1939. 0 Lady Eve Belfour systematically experimented on organic and conventional farming from 1939-1943. 0 J.I. Rodale Popularized the term sustainable agriculture and the method of organic farming in USA and published several scientific reports in 1950 0 In 1972, IFOAM co-ordinates all efforts in organic farming world wide.
Why farm ORGANICALLY? 0 Increase long-term soil fertility. 0 Control pests and diseases without harming the environment. 0 Ensure that water stays clean and safe. 0 Use resources which the farmer already has, so the farmer needs less money to buy farm inputs. 0 Produce nutritious food, feed for animals and high quality crops to sell at a good price. 0 It creates LIVING SOIL. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FARMING 0 SOIL : Building practices such as crop rotations, inter- cropping, symbiotic associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage are central to organic practices. 0 WATER : In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater courses with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is a major problem. 0 AIR & CLIMATE : Organic agriculture reduces non- renewable energy use by decreasing agrochemical needs. And contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. INORGANIC Vs. ORGANIC FARMING Inorganic Farming Organic Farming Against Nature Harmony with Nature Soil structure destroyed Soil structure improves More chemical residues present in crops No chemical residues Low quality produce Premium quality Highly fluctuation in yield Satisfactory and reliable yield Government Support Lack of Financial support Undefined Market structure Consumer awareness Training Certification cost Low yield in early stages Labor Intensive CONSTRAINTS Transition time to organic Policy Initiatives Marketing of produce Infrastructure and Funds for scientific studies CHALLENGES ORGANIC FARMING METHODS It is a combine scientific knowledge of ecology and modern technology with traditional farming practices based on naturally occurring biological processes.
1. Crop rotation 2. Mulching 3. Composting 4. Green Manure
1. Crop Rotation
0 Crop rotation means having times where the fertility of the soil is being built up and times where crops are grown which remove nutrients. 0 Crop rotation also helps a variety of natural predators to survive on the farm.
2. Composting 0 Compost is organic matter (plant and animal residues) which has been rotted down by the action of bacteria and other organisms, over a period of time. 0 Compost improves the structure of the soil. 0 Compost improves soil fertility by adding nutrients and by making it easier for plants to take up the nutrients already in the soil. 0 Compost improves the soil's ability to hold water 0 Provide nutrients for plants but do not improve soil structure. 3. Mulching 0 Mulching means covering the ground with a layer of loose material such as compost, manure, straw, dry grass, leaves or crop residues. 0 How to use mulches 1. Always apply mulches to a warm, wet soil. 2. Care should be taken as to the thickness of the mulch applied. 3. To clear an area of land of persistent weeds a layer of 10cm or more can be used.
4. Green manures
0 Green manures, often known as cover crops, are plants which are grown to improve the structure, organic matter content and nutrient content of the soil 0 They are grown for their green leafy material which is high in nutrients and provides soil cover 0 Green manures 1. Improve the ability of the soil to hold water 2. Control soil erosion 3. Improve soil structure 4. Improve soil fertility
Area farmed organically world-wide by continent 17% 23% 9% 35% 3% 23% Noth America Europe Asia Oceania Africa Latin America Source: National Centre of Organic Farming, Ghaziabad Area Under Organic Management in Ha 0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000 42,000 76,000 173,000 538,000 865,000 1,207,000 1,085,648 NUTRIENTS IN ORGANIC Vs. CONVENTIONALLY GROWN FRUIT & VEGETABLES Antioxi dants Vit C Beta Caroten e Vit E Phosph orus Potassi um Organic 88 63 50 62 63 62 Conventional 13 37 50 38 31 36 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Organic Conventional MAJOR PRODUCTS PRODUCED IN INDIA BY ORGANIC FARMING Type Products Commodity Tea, Coffee, Rice, Wheat Spices Cardamom, Ginger Pulses Red gram, Black gram Fruits Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Grape, Orange. Vegetable Brinjal, Onion, Tomato, Potato. Oilseed Castor, Sunflower. Others Cotton, Herbal extract. ORGANIC INPUT Availability:
1. Live stock = 2.47 MT 2. Crop residues = 2.00 MT 3. Biogas slurry = 0.12 MT 4. Bio fertilizer = 0.20 MT 5. Green manure = 0.10 MT 6. City refuse = 0.68 MT 7. Other = 1.00 MT 8. Rural compost, vermicomposting = 6.57 MT Agricultural waste TOTAL = 13.14 MT
SUPPLY OF NUTRIENTS THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING
Nitrogen : animal waste & byproduct. Phosphorus : organic manure release organic acids. Potassium : organic manure -cation exchange capacity. Micro nutrients : organic manure release organic acids. Statistical data 0 Currently 32.2 million hectares of agricultural land are managed organically and the value for organic foods in global market $26 billion US dollar, and is expected to grow to 102 billion US dollars in 2014.
0 Many of the certification organizations also operate outside of their home country. List of accredited certifying and inspection agencies in India 0 Association for promotion of Organic Farming (APOF): Bangalore 0 Indian Society for Certification of organic products (ISCOP): Tamil Nadu 0 Indian Organic Certification Agency (INDOCERT): Kerala 0 One Cert Asia: Jaipur 0 National Organic Certification Association (NOCA): Pune 0 International Resources for Fair Trade (IRFD): Mumbai 0 SGS India Pvt Ltd: Gurgaon 0 Ecocert International: Aurangabad 0 IMO Control Pvt Ltd: Bangalore 0 Bioinspectra: Kerala Export 0 Global Market Annual Growth =15-20% USA =11-13 BN US $ Japan =350-450 MN US $ Europe =10-11 BN US $
0 India 31 organic products currently exported No. of exporters = 69 Organic value (2010) estimated = US $ 15.5 million(710 million INR)
NAME OF FEW ORGANIC EXPORTERS 1) Sunstar oversees Ltd. -Haryana. 2) Navdanya trust. -New Delhi. 3) FAB India Ltd. -New Delhi. 4) Kashmir apiaries export. -Kashmir
THE WAY FORWARD FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE 0 Policy formulation and legislation 0 Incorporation of organic agriculture in syllabus at all levels 0 Research to improve knowledge and relevant methods that will enhance productivity 0 Development of common standards in organic agriculture 0 Develop and strengthen local markets and export 0 Home processing of organic products
References 0 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom 0 Lampkin, N. Organic Farming, Farming Press Book, IPSWICH, UK 0 Export - Import Bank of India. Export of Organic Products from India: Prospects and Challenges 0 APEDA 0 www.fao.org/organicag 0 www.hdra.org.uk