A Case Study Of India's Organic Farming

We live in a world full of synthetic, artificial, and manufactured food— so much that the word "organic" has become inexplicably rare. 

Organic produce refers to certified foods that are grown on soils with no synthetic additives. It is entirely grown using organic agricultural systems. Organic farming uses natural pest controls and biological fertilizers from plants and animals instead of chemical alternatives. 

Compared to conventional farming, organic farming has numerous ecological benefits like reducing soil erosion, decreasing nitrate leach in groundwater and surface water, recycling animal wastes, etc. It is a holistic production management system that caters to the health of the agricultural ecosystem, including the environment, the biological cycle, and the soil. To put it simply, organic farming neutralizes the environmental damage caused by conventional farming. 

Our planet is riddled with pollution and global warming, fueling the importance of organic farming more than ever. Its potential in replenishing environmental health has made it exponentially the best alternative for farming, leading to a wide acceptance of organic farming practices across the world. 

Organic Farming Concept: How Did It Begin? 

Sir Albert Howard initiated the concepts of organic farming in the early 1900s. Supported by the others who believed in biological alternatives for manure, pest controls, and natural crop rotation. Inspired by the traditional and sustainable farming methods in India, Howard advocated for the same in the West. 

Learn about Organic Farming's History, Timeline and Impact HERE. 

A Peek Into India's Organic Farming 

Since the early days, India has had a close relationship with organic farming– agricultural methods that align with nature, causing lesser harm to the environment and people. While India is still known for organic farming practices, over the years, it has seen some challenges. According to research reports, only 2% of the net sown area in the country is under organic cultivation. 

The country is blessed with a rich, vast land that is divided into many states. And it appears that certain regions are doing better than the others in terms of organic farming. While larger states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have around half of the areas under organic cultivation, smaller states like Sikkim, Kerala, Mizoram, Nagaland are more progressive in their mission to becoming natural-farming states. 

Let's take a look at the organic farming scenario in some of the states of India– 

• Madhya Pradesh

  Madhya Pradesh accounts for 40% of India's organic farming share and has over 100,000 registered organic farmers. Their government envisions leading the nation in organic farming to ensure sustainable livelihoods and healthier food for the community. They are now working to identify the areas along the bank of the Narmada, convincing farmers to allocate a portion of their land to organic farming.

• Rajasthan

  Rajasthan has about 60,000 hectares of land under organic farming, with 97.3% farmers agreeing to adopt the agricultural method. The state government has started identifying blocks in 11 districts to convert them into fully organic farming areas. 

• Maharashtra

  Maharashtra has about 8-10 lakh hectares of land under organic farming, promoted across 84 villages. The state has around 4 million organic farmers coming together to form a volunteer organization called the Maharashtra Organic Farming Federation (MOFF). The organization is dedicated to improving organic agriculture practices in Maharashtra. 

• North-East India

  • Sikkim 

    The North-East region in India is largely untouched by industrial, agricultural practices, making it pro-organic farming. Among the eight states in NE India, all of Sikkim's farmlands are officially organic certified— making it the only 100% certified organic state in the world. The transition has benefitted more than 66,000 farming families and boosted the state's economy. The tourism sector, one of Sikkim's main sources of income, has grown by over 50% between the years 2014-2017. Meanwhile, other states like Meghalaya and Assam are also showing tremendous progress in embracing organic farming. 

  • Assam

    The demand for organic farming is increasing in Assam— conscious organic farming is fast gaining traction in the hills of the state. Farmers are rediscovering the holistic benefits of organic farming and living a sustainable livelihood that does not harm the environment. 

  • Meghalaya

    Meghalaya government launched the Mission Organic with a vision to convert at least 2 lakh hectares into organic farmland in 2015. The state is also taking initiatives to further encourage sustainable and organic farming with 'Organic Meghalaya'. 

---

Natural farming promotes sustainability while healing the environment. It helps in creating a better present and future, one where human lives and the rest of the ecosystem are not threatened by irresponsible actions. 

This blog has discussed the organic farming progress in India— while limited to certain states, the progress of organic farming in India is clearly evident.