Organic Farming, Meaning, Benefits, Challenges, Way Forward

Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural approach that avoids synthetic chemicals and relies on natural inputs. Its roots trace back to ancient civilisations and gained momentum in the 20th century. Organic farming is based on principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care, ensuring soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, and minimal environmental impact. 

Organic farming has its advantages but also faces challenges such as higher costs, lower yields, and complex certification processes. Government initiatives like the NPOP provide support through financial aid and certification help. To make organic farming more sustainable and scalable, greater investment is needed in research, affordable certification, advanced technologies like AI and drones, and stronger supply chains.

What is Organic Farming?

Organic farming is an agricultural system that prioritises sustainability by avoiding or significantly reducing the use of synthetic inputs, such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides, hormones, and feed additives. Instead, it relies on natural methods like crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral-grade rock additives, and biological systems for nutrient mobilisation and plant protection to the greatest extent possible.

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History of Organic Farming

Organic farming dates back to ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilisation and is mentioned in the Vedic literature. In the early 1900s, pioneers like Sir Albert Howard and Rudolf Steiner developed modern organic agriculture concepts, emphasising natural soil enrichment and crop rotation. Inspired by Indian farming, Howard promoted sustainable practices. 

Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) raised awareness of industrial farming’s harm, boosting organic demand. Today, organic farming is practised globally, addressing climate change, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability.

Organic Farming Principles 

Principles of Organic Agriculture emphasise sustainability and responsibility across four key areas that are Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care.

• Health: Organic agriculture prioritises the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet, avoiding practices and substances harmful to these interconnected systems.
• Ecology: It aligns with natural ecological systems and cycles, working to protect and sustain the environment, including biodiversity, climate, and water resources.
• Fairness: It fosters equitable relationships in production, distribution, and trade, ensuring justice and accountability for environmental and social impacts.
• Care: Organic farming takes a precautionary and responsible approach, considering the well-being of present and future generations through transparent and inclusive decision-making.

Organic Farming Methods 

Organic farming encompasses various methods like crop rotation, polyculture, drip irrigation, organic pesticides, etc, for better soil, water, and crop management.

Soil Management 

• Crop Rotation: Rotating crops to maintain soil fertility and control pests.
• Minimum Tillage: Reducing soil disturbance to preserve soil health
• Manures: Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Crop Management

• Polycultures: Growing multiple crops together to promote biodiversity. 
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops to promote ecological balance.
• Integrated Pest Management: Using natural methods to control pests.

Water Management 

• Drip irrigation: Efficiently delivering water directly to roots.
• Mulching: Conserving water through mulch application.

Pest and disease control

• Organic pesticides: Using natural pesticides like neem oil and pyrethrin.
• Biological control: Using beneficial insects to control pests. Eg. Lady Beetles against Whitefield.

Need for Organic Farming

Conventional farming has led to biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, health risks, and soil depletion, making organic farming a sustainable alternative:

• Environmental degradation: Conventional farming practices have led to soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. 
• Health concerns: Pesticide and fertiliser residues in food have been linked to various health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pesticide exposure increases cancer and neurological disease risks.
• Soil degradation: Intensive farming degrades soil fertility, with India losing approximately 5.3 billion tons of soil annually due to erosion (ICAR, 2015).
• Water pollution: The use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in conventional farming has contaminated water sources, posing a risk to the environment.

Benefits of Organic Farming

Organic farming offers numerous advantages that contribute to environmental sustainability, human health, and economic growth. By reducing dependency on synthetic inputs and promoting natural agricultural practices, it ensures a balanced and resilient farming system. The following benefits highlight the significance of organic farming in modern agriculture.

• Soil Conservation: Organic practices like crop rotation reduce soil erosion, helping maintain long-term soil fertility. 
• Water Conservation: By using efficient irrigation and mulching, organic farming reduces water wastage. 
• Biodiversity: Organic farms encourage natural pest control and diverse cropping, fostering healthier ecosystems.
• Lower Pesticide Exposure: Conventional farming relies on synthetic pesticides, increasing health risks.
• Higher Nutritional Value: Organic crops use natural fertilisers, enhancing their nutrient content. 
• Higher Earnings: Organic produce commands premium prices, increasing farmers’ income. 
• Preserving Traditions: Organic farming integrates traditional agricultural knowledge, sustaining local practices.

Challenges of Organic Farming

Organic farming, while beneficial for the environment and health, faces several challenges. These include higher production costs, lower yields, difficulty in pest management, and limited market access. The following are the details of these challenges:

• Higher Production Costs: Organic farming often requires more labour and costly organic inputs. 
• Lower Yields: Organic farming tends to produce lower yields per hectare when compared to conventional farming, particularly in the first 2-3 years.
• Pest and Weed Management: Managing pests without chemicals can be more difficult in organic farms.
• Certification and Regulation: Obtaining organic certification is costly and time-consuming. In India, organic certification can take up to 3 years, adding financial pressure on farmers.
• Market Access and Pricing: Organic products face limited market access and price competition.
• Climate Vulnerability: Organic farming can be more susceptible to climate impacts.
  

Organic Farming vs Conventional Farming vs Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

Organic, conventional, and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) are distinct farming systems that differ in aspects such as the use of chemicals, impact on soil health, and productivity. The key differences are as follows:

Organic Farming in India

Organic farming in India has been gaining momentum in recent years, driven by growing consumer demand for chemical-free produce and government initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture. The following are key statistics on the status of organic farming in India:

Status of Organic Farming in India

As per the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, the following are the acreage, geographies, and cultivation details of Organic farming in India: 

• Area under organic farming: As of 2020, India had 2.78 million hectares under certified organic farming, representing 2% of the total net sown area. 
• Farmers practising organic farming: Over 1.9 million farmers were registered under two certification systems by 2020. India has the top spot in the world rankings for most organic producers.
• Prevalence across India: Organic farming is widespread, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Sikkim is India’s first 100% organic state.
• Major crops: Key organic crops include oilseeds, cotton, tea, and coffee, with India leading in organic cotton production.
• Export: India’s organic exports reached 1.3 million metric tons, valued at ₹3,500 crores (USD 470 million) in 2020.
• Global leadership in cotton: India produced 51% of the world’s organic cotton in 2018-19.

Figure. State-wise organic coverage (proportion to the net sown area of the state)

Government Measures for Organic Farming

The Union and state governments have implemented several schemes, such as the Organic Farming Policy, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Soil Health Card, to promote organic farming at both national and state levels. 

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Provides certification, and financial aid, and promotes research to enhance organic farming practices and market access.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Launched in 2015, supports farmers with financial aid and encourages cluster-based organic farming for better resource sharing.
• Organic Farming Policy: Aim to expand organic agriculture, boost production and exports, and support small farmers with premium pricing benefits.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Focuses on organic farming growth in the Northeast through certification, training, and market support.
• State-Level Initiatives: Programs like the Sikkim Organic Mission and Andhra Pradesh ZBNF promote organic farming with financial aid, certification assistance, and marketing support.

Organic Farming Way Forward

To ensure the widespread adoption of organic farming, a multi-faceted approach is required, focusing on research, policies, awareness, certification, and technological advancements. The following measures can help accelerate the growth of organic farming in India.

• Research and Development: Investment in capacity building and training for small-scale producers is essential. Emphasis should be on composting techniques, quality assurance, and marketing strategies to enhance organic manure production.
• Policies and Schemes: A well-structured national program should be developed, ensuring quality fertilisers through strict monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
• Raising Awareness: Farmers should be trained through farmer-led schools, ICT tools, expert interactions, and best-practice sharing to encourage on-farm organic input production.
• Smoother Certification Process: The high cost of certification deters small farmers. Making certification accessible and affordable is crucial for wider adoption.
• Technological Advancement: Drones and AI can bridge productivity gaps, optimise soil fertility, and support sustainable organic farming practices.
• Supply Chain Management: Decentralized, local production of organic inputs should be promoted to utilise regional resources, create employment, and prevent adulteration.

Organic Farming UPSC PYQs 

Question 1. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (UPSC Mains 2021)

Question 2. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production? (UPSC Mains 2019)

Question 3. Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State? (UPSC Mains 2018)