organic farming in india: an alternative agricultural system

37Amity Journal of Agribusiness

Volume 3 Issue 1 2018 AJAB

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Amity Journal of Agribusiness3 (1), (37-49)

©2018 ADMAA

Organic Farming in India: An Alternative Agricultural System

Smita Bhutani, Simrit Kahlon & MonikaPanjab University, Chandigarh, India

The Green Revolution brought about a transformation in India. A starving nation as it was in nineteenth century, India is in a position today, as a result of Green Revolution, to export food produce. Most farmers of the country, with the support of government adapted to this agricultural system. More yield per hectare brought in more money and prosperity which further promoted this system. Green Revolution, however, brought in its wake some formidable consequences like pesticide poisoning, water logging, salinization, soil erosion, water contamination, falling ground water table and the depletion of biodiversity. Immense damage has been caused by the

AbstractThe Green Revolution brought about a transformation in India. A starving nation in nineteenth century,

India is in a position today to export food produce. Green Revolution, however, brought in its wake some formidable consequences like impoverished land, poisoned food and ecological imbalance. To feed the teeming millions and at the same time, to protect them against the ravages caused by chemical agriculture, the pesticides and the fertilizers, is the dire need of the country. The remedy lies in alternative patterns of agriculture free from damaging consequences of the present system. Sustained agriculture is the system that provides the required quantity and quality of food and yet leaves the soil un-impoverished and the ecological balance undisturbed. Countries like Cuba, a model in sustainable agriculture, offers organic farming as the alternative pattern that may fill the bill. In India too, thousands of farmers, throughout the country are switching over to organic farming. In the study, an attempt is made to examine organic farming as an alternative agricultural system in the country. The cause of organic farming has been taken by a number of NGOs in different states and many state governments have drafted policies for promoting it. The bane of the system is low productivity, which fails to cater to the rising needs of increasing population. High levels of production, however, have recently been achieved in some areas in the country. In 2012, Darvespura village in Nalanda district of Bihar, for example, achieved highest production of paddy and potato in the world by registering a yield of 20.9 tonnes per hectare and 72.9 tonnes per hectare respectively. For the conservation and preservation of environment, a mixed system where both conventional and organic farming is practiced to meet environmental concerns as well as production, is recommended.

Keywords: Sustainability, Organic FarmingJEL Classification: Q10Paper Classification: Review Paper

38 Amity Journal of Agribusiness

Volume 3 Issue 1 2018AJAB

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thoughtless use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the country. It destroys the habitat of flora and fauna of a region and has an adverse impact on the agro-ecosystem (Geigera et al., 2010). Moreover, it has been established that farmers, employed on spraying pesticides, experience serious adverse effects of this activity on their health. They suffer from splitting headaches, burning eyes and are troubled by fatigue and weakness. To crown it all, the pesticides used in vegetables and crops poison the food we consume. The irony is that the country spends millions of dollars in order to import these fertilizers and pesticides. The amount spent by India on import of fertilizers in the year 2011-12 was Rs. 49344.7 million while no less than a sum of Rs. 340093.2 million was spent on pesticides. The amount spent on pesticides has been steadily rising year after year, while pests continue to develop resistance to the pesticides, thus needing higher and stronger doses to kill them. Also the use of pesticides/insecticides kills only weaker insects/pests while the stronger ones survive and increase in number. Besides, these sprays kill both vegetarian and non-vegetarian insects while the latter are farmer friendly insects. Apart from this, substantial reduction in crop diversity is another evil effect of green revolution leading to mono-cultivation and consequent loss of bio-diversity. It has also lead to more import of pulses and oilseeds. At the same time, farmers’ debts are mounting which compel many of them to commit suicide. The areas where pesticides and insecticides are sprayed intensively, a high number of patients were found having these diseases. In Malwa region of Punjab for example, indiscriminate use of pesticides and insecticides has harmed so much so that the region has been identified with a very large number of cancer patients and is termed as cancer belt of Punjab (Singh, 2013; The Times of India, 2013). Another example comes from Kasargod district of Kerala where endosulphane (a pesticide) was sprayed using helicopters on cashew crops from 1976-2000 (Padmanabhan, 2011). A high number of diseased people were found in the area.

The cumulative effect of these evils would put a question mark on the very survival of farming community and the very sustainability of Indian agriculture. Agriculture is, therefore, under pressure to develop as a more sustainable economic activity with broad aims to achieve environmental stability, economic profitability and productivity, poison free food and support for the rural community. Both the producers as well as the consumers of these crops seem to be trapped. Alternative agricultural systems have been suggested by Merril (1976); Edwards et al. (1990) and Curry and Roper (1992). Such agricultural systems are based on sustainable farming with conserving resources and regenerating systems. Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of conventional and alternative agricultures as devised by Curry and Roper (1992).

Table 1: Characteristics of Conventional and Alternative Agriculture

S. No. Conventional Agriculture Alternative Agriculture

1. Centralization Decentralization2. National and international production, processing

and marketing Local/regional production, processing and marketing

3. Concentration of resources Dispersed resources4. Fewer farms More farms 5. Individualism and competition Community participation 6. Self Interest Increased cooperation 7. Reduced labour Meaningful labour8. Farming as a business Farming as a way of life9. External costs ignored All costs considered 10. Material success Non-material values



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11. Scientific paradigm Reconceptualization of science12. Specialization Diversification13. Standardized production Localized production 14. Farming components Agro-ecosystems Source: Adapted from Curry and Roper, 1992

Other agricultural techniques such as agroecology based on imitating natural ecosystems produce food by recycling farm nutrients and energy rather than introducing external inputs. It also ensures availability, accessibility and adequacy of food by ensuring farmer participation and adaptation to climate change (Schutter, 2010). Different techniques of agroecology are being practiced world over such as use of ducks, bees, effective micro-organisms, growing grass in the fields or growing crops in fish pond etc. (Fenton, 2012). Permaculture is yet another agricultural system which provides a promising solution to increasing demand for food and decreasing resources (Conard, 2013).

Organic farming is one more alternative agricultural system which promotes living in harmony with the nature. It provides food without harming the nature. Much pressure has been laid down on organic farming since last two decades as harmful effects of conventional farming had been brought to lime light. The term organic farming was coined by Lord Northbourne in his book ‘Look to the Land’. United States Department of Agriculture (1980) defines organic agriculture as “a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent possible, organic farming systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manure, legumes, green manures, off farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity, to supply plant nutrients and control insects, weeds and other pests.” FAO (1999) defined organic farming 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, taking into account the fact that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system. Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist, spearheading the organic farming in India, defined it as a “production system based on the renewal and strengthening of ecological processes and functions of farm ecosystem in order to produce safe and healthy food. It largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.”

It is strongly realized that India may usefully employ organic farming as an alternative mode of agriculture, which is notable for absence of adverse effects on agriculture and environment. Rotation of crops, use of compost, mulching and green manures are the important elements of organic farming. As contrasted with the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides and other growth oriented means of production based on capital intensive agriculture of the Green Revolution model, organic farming is characterized by low input, which generally involves crop-rotation, avoidance of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, lesser use of heavy machinery as well as that of energy derived from fossil fuel. The emphasis is on biological pest control, which serves to maintain soil productivity, supplies the necessary plant nutrients and controls insects and weeds. Some environmental friendly ways used are pheromerone traps, yellow sticky traps and light traps etc. While pheromerone tablet smelling female insect is used to attract specific insect species, the other traps all kinds of insects like fruit flies, moths, leaf hoppers etc. By attracting



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one adult insect, 300-400 insect progenies could be controlled through them. Using such traps, the farmer also gets to know the type of pests on his farm and if they are in controllable limits or not. Animal manure and green manure also have an important role in the system. Thus, the damaging effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are being more and more widely realized. Some of the advantages of organic farming are as follows:

• One major advantage of organic farming is its wide-ranging effect on health and hygieneof the community and the fillip it gives to an unadulterated lifestyle relying on science and technology. It protects farmers from disastrous effects of the spraying of chemical pesticides on their health.

• Organicfarmingnotonlycheckserosionandpollutionofsoil,thuspreservingitsproductivitywhich would be disastrously affected by the use of urea and pesticides but also improves soil structure and fertility.

• OrganicFarmingcanalsobepracticedwithzerobudgetformulausingcowdung,cowurineand other natural pesticides. The idea is being promoted by Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust (2015). It not only promotes self-employment among poor and marginal young farmers but also saves them from the vicious circle of costly inputs and non-payment of debts.

• Economy of water is another great advantage which would help water table rise. It alsoincrease the carbon levels of soil by 25 per cent and in turn increases the water holding capacity of soil between 2 and 17 per cent which makes it more useful for the farmers of drought prone areas (Martin, 2013).

• It helps combat climate change by cutting down greenhouse gas emissions like NitrousOxide emitting from fertilizers and enhancing carbon sequestration (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2015). The global warming potential of one ton of Nitrous Oxide is equivalent to 265-298 times that of CO2 for a 100-year timescale (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2015).

• Rotationofcropshelpsinprovidingnutrientsfreeofcostapartfrompromotingbiodiversityby maintaining nutrient cycle.

• Organic farming generally requires more labour for on farm activities than conventionalfarming, hence generates more jobs. Rotation of crops, non-chemical pest control, weeding, mixed farming, processing, cleaning of grain necessitated by damage caused by insects and direct marketing etc. need more hands or manual labour (Jansen, 2000). Women employment, especially in rural areas can also be promoted through this.

• As compared to non-organic, fresh organic food contains, on an average, 50 percent morevitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro nutrients. Organic food has relatively larger percentage of constituents like iron, dry matter, copper, calcium, magnesium, essential amino acids, manganese, potassium, protein etc. A comparative study program conducted at IIT, New Delhi under Desi Ahaar Project found that the samples of soil seed plant and crop have higher nutritional value, flavour and taste than commercial samples (Agricare, 2015). Moreover, there are many harmful substances found in non-organic/processed food, which may cause many diseases (Table 2).



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Table 2: Harmful Substances in Non-Organic/Processed Food and Related Diseases

S. No.

Harmful substances found in non-organic/processed food

Diseases caused by such substances

1. Antibiotics Allergies; immunity reduction2. Artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives

and processing aidsCancer; liver and digestive systems disorders

3. Aspartame Neurotoxin and neurological disorders 4. Growth hormones Obesity, infertility and multigenerational cancer5. Hydrogenated fats Heart problems, cancer, diabetes, obesity6. Pesticides Mutagenic and carcinogenic diseases7. Phosphoric acid Osteoporosis

Source: Agricare 2015

It may be noted that while the yield of land in case of organic farming is lower than chemical farming, the costs too are lower. However, in the context of production of paddy and potato, in 2012, Darvespura village in Nalanda district of Bihar, achieved the highest production in the world by registering a yield of 20.9 tonnes per hectare and 72.9 tonnes per hectare respectively (The Hindu, 2012). Later, in 2013, 108.8 tonnes of potato per hectare were produced in Sohdih village of same district (The Hindu, 2013). Also, according to a recent research conducted in Karnataka, organic farming of chillies was found to be more profitable than non-organic, all costs included.

Lessons from Denmark and CubaFollowing the increased awareness of the environment and the energy crisis in Denmark,

shift to organic farming started taking place in the latter half of nineteenth century. The Danish Organization for Organic Farming organized the movement in 1981. The Organization decided to follow a set of principles and regulations. The first organic products found their way to the super-market in 1982. Organic production was supported and legislated by Denmark in 1987. It was the first country to do so. Due to heavy demand of organic products in 1993, a situation appeared where demand exceeded supply and tremendous growth in the number of organic farms followed in the period from 1995-2001.

A pioneer in the field of organic farming, Cuba leads the world in sustainable agriculture. It is interesting to trace the history of the evolution of organic farming in the country. After the collapse of Soviet Socialist Bloc in early nineties, Cuba had to face a difficult situation with a marked decline in the import of foodstuff, grain, fertilizers, pesticides, fuel and other items. Necessity drove the country to dependence on indigenous resources and that led to the adoption of organic farming resulting in a revolutionary transformation in an unbelievably short period. Several factors combined to contribute to Cuba’s remarkable accomplishment. They included favourable conditions for crop diversity, availability of alternative sources of energy like sun, wind and biomass fuels and maintenance of individual and institutional gardens for production of food on a large scale (United Nations Environment Programme, 2015). Still other contributory factors are discreet planning like crop rotation, biological control for suppression of pests,



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composting of garbage, extensive use of oxen and mules to save fuel and use of bio-pesticides to overcome the menace of pests and the vital factor of support provided to planning by the people at large. In fact, Cuba outdid USA and other countries like Germany and Switzerland in its plan of conversion from conventional to organic farming it accomplished in a much shorter period the task that these countries took 3 to 4 years to complete. India has much to gain from the experience of Cuba because India having combination of factors and resources similar to those of Cuba has much to gain from the latter.

Spatial Dimensions of Organic Farming in IndiaOrganic farming is nothing new in India. Indian farmers have been practising it since centuries.

Modern organic farming is, however, an advanced form of the age-old practice of agriculture which yields crops good in quality and adequate in quantity while enhancing the richness of soil.

Presently, there are three types of organic farmers in India. First- those who are traditionally committed to it, have low inputs and lack resources to adopt non-organic farming. In second category lie the farmers who turned to it after seeing the ill-effects of high-input conventional farming. Third category includes the farmers who are attracted to it due to emerging market opportunities and are involved in it at the commercial scale. They realized that need for safe and healthy food is undeniable and the way to procure it is in organic farming. Still, many farmers are growing organic crops for self-consumption as they are aware of the poisonous food being produced by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. India has an edge over the lands in this respect as about 70 percent of her total cultivated land is amenable to organic farming. In fact, over 65 percent of this cultivated land happens to be rain-fed. The need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides in these areas is just marginal and conditions are quite congenial for organic farming. India has all the means required for organic farming and with all its natural resources organic food market is growing at the whopping rate of 400 per cent every year (The Hindu, 2014). The lucrative world market beckons to India for supply of certified organic Indian products. Tapping the demand for organic food in Indian and world market, there is a huge scope for further development of organic farming. At the central level, National Policy on Organic Production (NPOP) was framed in 2000 in accordance with the standards of IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements). It defines the regulatory mechanism for certification of organic products. It has been granted equivalence to European Union and Sweden certification. Organic agricultural produce has to be certified by accredited agencies of the Government of India like Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Tea Board, Coffee Board and Spice Board, before it can be locally marketed or exported. India’s organic logo, issued by the Commerce & Agriculture Ministry, is mandatory for this purpose. National Centre of Organic Farming has been set up under 10th Five Year Plan with its headquarters at Ghaziabad and regional centers at Bangalore, Hisar, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Bhubneshwar and Imphal. Under this, National Project on Organic Farming was initiated which is still in continuation. It aims at promoting organic farming through technical capacity building of all stakeholders and creating awareness through publicity. It also controls the quality of bio-fertilizers and organic products and certifies the products for sale in international market. To relieve the farmers of cumbersome and costly process of getting their organic product certified, a low cost system has been introduced known as ‘participatory guarantee system’. It is a way to certify, support and encourage millions of small farmers and self-help groups. It is based simply on farmers’ pledge/declaration. Apart from this, financial assistance is provided through Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for agro-waste compost production units, bio-fertilizers/bio-pesticides units etc. Some states like Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttrakhand, Nagaland, Sikkim and



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Mizoram have also drafted organic farming policies as it also increases production in the long run, sustains soil fertility and preserves environment.

Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under certified organic farming (total cultivated plus wild harvest) followed by Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra (Figure 1). Cereals (except rice), coffee, cotton and dry fruits had the highest production in organic farming among all crops respectively (Table 4). The country has been the largest cotton grower in the world and also has the highest area under certified organic wild harvest collection. Naturally grown wild plants collected from areas which have not been treated with products other than authorized for use in organic farming can be certified as wild organic products. Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) aims at helping the farmer to secure quality production by conducting research and development in the fields of activities like crop rotation, green manuring, farmyard manuring, vermicompost, effective micro-organism (EM), biological inputs such as herbal growth promoters and repellents, herbal medicines and highly selective seed varieties to suit different agro-climates in India.

Figure 1

Source: Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority



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Madhya Pradesh was the first state to promote organic farming in 1998 (Trivedi, 2014). For the purpose, the concept of Bio farming has been initiated by the State Government through bio-villages (Jaivik Kehti Gaon). Bio-farming was implemented in 1565 villages selected from 313 blocks of 48 districts in the state (Government of Madhya Pradesh). Green manuring, composts, phospho-composts, fermented preparations prepared from cow dung and urine is used for nutrient supply to the crops. Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur and the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India made a notable joint effort in this direction. The Government of Maharashtra is aimed at converting 10 per cent of the total farmland into organic farms under and special policy for this sector (Wadke, 2013). A number of farmers have converted from conventional to organic farming with minimal costs involved. Shri Shaligram Ganpat Chafale from the state has successfully converted from conventional to organic farming and paid off his debts. He had become model registered farmer of National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF).

Table 3: State wise Area under Organic Farming (Registered under Accredited Certification Bodies), 2010-11

State Name Certified Cultivated

Organic Area (in Hac)

Inconversion Cultivated

Area ( in Hac)

Total area Cultivated under

Certification Process ( in Hac)

Wild Area (in Hac)

Total Cultivated +

Wild ( in Hac)

Andhra Pradesh 6070.9 6279.72 12350.62 2000 14350.62

Arunachal Pradesh 243.09 0 243.09 0 243.09Assam 2001.75 45.33 2047.08 0 2047.08Andaman 0 334.68 334.68 0 334.68Bihar 0 1303.62 1303.62 0 1303.62Chhattisgarh 321.99 126.93 448.92 8000 8448.92Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0Delhi 127.5 138.82 266.32 0 266.32Goa 13044.65 259.05 13303.7 0 13303.7Gujarat 42267.48 6251.43 48518.91 0 48518.91Haryana 2343.05 12420.54 14763.6 0 14763.6Himachal Pradesh 2265.46 1781.41 4046.87 627855.12 631901.99Jammu and Kashmir 640.5 135.97 776.47 0 776.47Karnataka 9128.01 10400.63 19528.64 69200 88728.64Kerala 3870.27 2727.37 6597.65 0 6597.65Lakshadweep 0 12.127 12.127 0 12.127Madhya Pradesh 270955.69 27407.17 298362.87 2568209 2866571.9Jharkhand 0 0 0 24300 24300Maharashtra 124547.03 50298.44 174845.47 2500 177345.47Manipur 2336.718 455.3 2792.02 0 2792.02Meghalaya 1564.05 855.616 2419.66 0.0001 2419.6661Mizoram 4471.6 8072.53 12544.13 0 12544.13Nagaland 654 949.54 1603.54 0 1603.54Orissa 16883.73 6218.55889 23102.29 1315.255 24417.54Punjab 2118.21 3907.56 6025.78 0 6025.78Rajasthan 57566.93 9145.26 66712.19 151000 217712.19



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Sikkim 1391.03 27.3 1418.34 308 1726.34Tamil Nadu 3244.61 829.982 4074.59 30803.5 34878.092Tripura 203.56 144.825 348.385 0 348.385Uttar Pradesh 17212.42917 23800.3974 41012.82 70632 111644.82Uttaranchal 9513.756619 2073.026 11586.78 93879.2 105465.98West Bengal 5014.94 1110.78 6125.72 0 6125.721TOTAL 600003 177513.9811 777516.882 3650002.1 4427519.1

Source: Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, 2010-11

Table 4: Category wise Production of Certified Organic Products, 2010-2011

S. No. Products Total Production ( Metric Tonnes)

1 Cereals ( except Rice) 171684.662 Coffee 13122.033 Cotton 552388.474 Dry Fruits 52369.095 Fresh Fruits & Vegetables 335863.116 Medicinal & Herbal Plants 1792014.867 Oil Seeds 360837.178 Pulses 42721.619 Rice 176683.1710 Spices-Condiments 129878.4611 Tea 27684.2612 Misc. 221191.9613 Total 3876438.85

Source: Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, 2010-11

Government of Kerala has planned to make the state completely organic and Kasargod, the first organic district of the state (Viju, 2012). In Marappanmola village in Pulpally panchayat of Wayanad district, 454 farmers each holding an average of less than two hectares of land, are engaged in organic farming growing various crops like coffee, cardamom, cashew nuts, pepper, rice, vegetables etc. In order to ensure organic sustainability of Kerala, government launched policy named ‘Jaiva Keralam’ under which strategies were planned for providing seed, manure, other farm inputs and marketing facilities to the farmers apart from building capacity of farmers. Under State Horticulture Mission, 1500 Ha is being converted to organic for 2014-15 and still 2500 Ha in 2015-16. Idukki, still another district of Kerala concentrates on growing organic spices. This is a laudable pioneering step expected to be immensely beneficial. Karnataka government introduced organic farming policy in 2004 to promote it at village and farm level. Many farmers are pioneers in organic agriculture and have developed many different systems of cultivation through indigenous knowledge base. They have developed their own methods of using organic wastes and developed holistic pest control agents to control pests and diseases.

West Bengal has set up bio-villages in each block of the state (Ganguli, 2009). Darjeeling tea samples were rejected by Germany and some other European countries on the grounds of presence of pesticides far more than permissible limit (Mohanti, 2003). After that tea farmers turned organic and many workshops are also being organized by organizations like Organic Ekta which help small tea farmers turn organic. An NGO, Vikramshila is also putting efforts in



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this direction and helped Bigha, a village in Bardhman district to achieve a pesticide free Kharif crop (Mukherjee, 2015). Organic farming has the potential to create 8 million jobs in Rajasthan according to a study by Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). It said that organic farms can provide 30 per cent more jobs per hectare in comparison with the non-organic farms. In Rajasthan, Morarka Foundation has quite an admirable achievement to its credit in Shekhawati region. It is involved in recycling of farm waste, vermiculture technology and of organic agriculture. The program is spread over 15 states in India and every month over 10,000 farm families are being added to it. In Haryana where conventional agriculture is intensively practiced, individual farmers have been practising organic farming for growing fruits and vegetables. Recently, government has also announced to bring 10 per cent of its cultivable land under organic (Zee News, 2015).

The role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the adoption of organic farming in India has been quite commendable. Navdanya, an NGO, founded by Dr. Vandana Shiva in 1987, is a national movement to protect native seeds started in Karnataka and Tehri Garhwal. It has established 122 community seed banks and trained over 4,00,000 farmers, government officials and representatives of NGO’s in sustainable agriculture and marketing. In Punjab, Kheti Virasat was established in 2005. It has set up demonstrative units for making various kinds of compost e.g. vermiwash, jeevi, teeka etc. It trains farmers to produce organic through various workshops and other platforms. Hara seeds and nursery at Badowal, Ludhiana and Hara Organic milk and milk products at Kanganwal, Ludhiana are striving to spread organic products world over. Manthan, another NGO, in Kurukshetra district of Haryana is working on organic farming and conservation of bio-diversity with the help of farmers and self -help groups. Chetna Organic is another NGO working in the rain fed areas of Odisha, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for small and marginal farmers. Through various programs and workshops, there were 35,852 farmers associated with them in 2014. Zameen Organic is working in rural areas of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh as marketing company for organic cotton by buying it from farmers and supplying it to brands in the market. Modern Architect of Rural India (MARI), based in Warangal district of Telangana since 1990, is popularizing organic farming through community participation among farmers.

Future ProspectsPromotion of organic agriculture in India promises long run sustainability, wholesome food

and healthy environment. This will definitely help farmers facing ecological backlash in the form of soil degradation due to heavy chemical spray. The organic food market is rapidly growing in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other cities. With growing demand for trained manpower, a career in organic farming has become quite lucrative. More national and state level agricultural policies that are conducive to growth of organic agriculture need to be framed. The message of upgraded organic farming has to be conveyed to small farmers with petty land holdings. Organically grown items need to be brought locally at farmers’ markets or at cooperatives and be allowed to be sold directly to consumers baring the involvement of any third party. Improved certification system would also ensure better sale of organically produced food. Government should also provide subsidy to organic farmers and promote organic products to increase their demand, thus attracting more and more farmers to adopt it. Such produce, although may not be that appealing to the eye, has the advantage of freshness and high nutrition value. Profits also do not go to the middlemen but directly to the growers. The value of organic farming and its implications need to be realized by the people at large as community support is essential for its success.



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However, due caution needs to be exercised in the context of adopting organic farming completely. The disadvantages of discarding the use of chemical pesticides without carefully analysing the total consequences need to be carefully examined. Among the deterrent factors are the toilsome labor involved in organic farming, which is rewarded by relatively poor yield in the beginning and still more importantly, danger from micro toxins in foods which only pesticides could eradicate. However, for the conservation and preservation of environment, a mixed system where both conventional and organic farming are practiced to meet environmental concerns as well as production, is recommended. The low yield and consequent high price is still a problem in the context of multiplying needs of India’s population. These negative aspects have to be carefully examined and remedial steps to be taken well in advance.

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ADMAA

Authors’ Profile

Smita Bhutani is a Senior Professor at her alma mater, Centre of Advanced Study in Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She joined the department in 1984 and now has more than thirty years of experience in teaching post graduate classes and supervising research projects. She has expertise in various branches of Geography viz. Population Geography, Climatology, Social Geography and Women and Environmental Sustainability. She has also served as coordinator for SAP, CAS, UNI GIS Program (In association with Salzburg University, Austria) and distance learning program using EDUSAT, National Beam Network.

Simrit Kahlon is Associate Professor at her alma mater, Centre of Advanced Study in Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She has more than twenty years of experience in teaching various graduate and post graduate classes and supervising research projects. Her wide areas of interest range from Human Geography, Cultural Geography, Urban Geography to Man- Land Relationships, Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. Her keen interest in research is testified by her involvement in various national and international research projects by Rotterdam, Netherlands; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Indian Institute of Social Sciences Research.

Monika is a Senior Research Fellow at Centre of Advanced Study in Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She is pursuing her research in female employment in Punjab. She has keen interest in Population Geography, sustainability and gender issues. She was a gold medalist in Geography (Hons.) in her graduation and was awarded junior research fellowship in December 2012.

organic farming in india: an alternative agricultural system

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