{"id":12800,"date":"2025-05-28T10:51:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T05:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=12800"},"modified":"2025-05-28T10:51:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T05:21:40","slug":"organic-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/organic-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Organic Farming, Meaning, Benefits, Challenges, Way Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Organic farming<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Organic farming<\/strong> 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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is Organic Farming?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Organic farming<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">History of Organic Farming<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic farming dates back to ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indus-valley-civilization\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indus Valley Civilisation<\/a><\/strong> and is mentioned in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/vedic-literature\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vedic literature<\/a><\/strong>. 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rachel Carson\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Silent Spring (1962) <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">raised awareness of industrial farming\u2019s harm, boosting organic demand. Today, organic farming is practised globally, addressing climate change, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming Principles\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Principles of Organic Agriculture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> emphasise sustainability and responsibility across four key areas that are Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Health:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic agriculture prioritises the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet, avoiding practices and substances harmful to these interconnected systems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ecology:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It aligns with natural ecological systems and cycles, working to protect and sustain the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/environment\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>environment<\/strong><\/a>, including biodiversity, climate, and water resources.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fairness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: It fosters equitable relationships in production, distribution, and trade, ensuring justice and accountability for environmental and social impacts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Care<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Organic farming takes a precautionary and responsible approach, considering the well-being of present and future generations through transparent and inclusive decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming Methods\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Organic farming<\/strong> encompasses various <strong>methods<\/strong> like crop rotation, polyculture, drip irrigation, organic pesticides, etc, for better soil, water, and crop management.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Soil Management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Crop Rotation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Rotating crops to maintain soil fertility and control pests.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Minimum Tillage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Reducing soil disturbance to preserve soil health<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Manures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Crop Management<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Polycultures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Growing multiple crops together to promote biodiversity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agroforestry:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Integrating trees with crops to promote ecological balance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Integrated Pest Management:<\/strong> Using natural methods to control pests.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Water Management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Drip irrigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Efficiently delivering water directly to roots.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mulching:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conserving water through mulch application.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Pest and disease control<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Organic pesticides: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using natural pesticides like neem oil and pyrethrin.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biological control:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Using beneficial insects to control pests. Eg. Lady Beetles against Whitefield.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12814\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/unnamed-2.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"277\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Need for Organic Farming<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conventional farming has led to biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, health risks, and soil depletion, making organic farming a sustainable alternative:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environmental degradation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Conventional farming practices have led to soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Health concerns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: 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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Soil degradation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Intensive farming degrades soil fertility, with India losing approximately 5.3 billion tons of soil annually due to erosion (ICAR, 2015).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Water pollution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in conventional farming has contaminated water sources, posing a risk to the environment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Benefits of Organic Farming<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Soil Conservation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic practices like crop rotation reduce soil erosion, helping maintain long-term soil fertility.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Water Conservation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> By using efficient irrigation and mulching, organic farming reduces water wastage.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\">Biodiversity<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic farms encourage natural pest control and diverse cropping, fostering healthier <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\">ecosystems<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lower Pesticide Exposure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conventional farming relies on synthetic pesticides, increasing health risks.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Higher Nutritional Value:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic crops use natural fertilisers, enhancing their nutrient content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Higher Earnings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic produce commands premium prices, increasing farmers' income.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Preserving Traditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Organic farming integrates traditional agricultural knowledge, sustaining local practices.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Challenges of Organic Farming<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Higher Production Costs: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic farming often requires more labour and costly organic inputs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lower Yields: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic farming tends to produce lower yields per hectare when compared to conventional farming, particularly in the first 2-3 years.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Pest and Weed Management: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Managing pests without chemicals can be more difficult in organic farms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Certification and Regulation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Obtaining organic certification is costly and time-consuming. In India, organic certification can take up to 3 years, adding financial pressure on farmers.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Market Access and Pricing: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic products face limited market access and price competition.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate Vulnerability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic farming can be more susceptible to climate impacts.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming vs Conventional Farming vs Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Organic, conventional, and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)<\/strong> 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:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Factors<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Traditional Farming<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>Organic Farming<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\">\r\n<p><b>ZBNF<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Definition<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Uses chemical fertilisers and pesticides<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Uses organic manure and compost.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Farming with zero external inputs, relying on natural resources and homemade bio-inputs like Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, etc.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Soil Health<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Degrades soil health over time due to chemical use.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improves soil health with organic matter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increases soil fertility using natural microbes and mulching.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Water Requirement<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High water usage due to intensive cultivation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moderate water requirement with organic mulching.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Very low water usage due to mulching and natural irrigation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Productivity<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Initially high but decreases over time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable but slightly lower than traditional farming.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable yield with minimal cost input.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Dependence on Market and Cost of Cultivation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High dependence on external inputs, hence high cost of production<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moderate, as organic inputs can be bought.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Almost zero, as farmers produce inputs themselves.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Ecological Impact<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High environmental degradation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Environmentally friendly but needs external inputs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fully sustainable, improves biodiversity and soil health.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming in India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Organic farming in India<\/strong> 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:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Status of Organic Farming in India<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As per the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, the following are the acreage, geographies, and cultivation details of Organic farming in India:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Area under organic farming<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: As of 2020, India had 2.78 million hectares under certified organic farming, representing 2% of the total net sown area.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Farmers practising organic farming<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: 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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Prevalence across India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Organic farming is widespread, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Sikkim is India's first 100% organic state.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Major crops<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Key organic crops include oilseeds, cotton, tea, and coffee, with India leading in organic cotton production.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Export<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: India\u2019s organic exports reached 1.3 million metric tons, valued at \u20b93,500 crores (USD 470 million) in 2020.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Global leadership in cotton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: India produced 51% of the world\u2019s organic cotton in 2018-19.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Figure. State-wise organic coverage (proportion to the net sown area of the state)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-12813\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/State-wise-organic-coverage-proportion-to-the-net-sown-area-of-the-state.webp\" alt=\"State-wise organic coverage (proportion to the net sown area of the state)\" width=\"444\" height=\"454\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Government Measures for Organic Farming<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Union and state governments have implemented several schemes, such as the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming Policy,<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soil Health Card,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to promote organic farming at both national and state levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Provides certification, and financial aid, and promotes research to enhance organic farming practices and market access.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Launched in 2015, supports farmers with financial aid and encourages cluster-based organic farming for better resource sharing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Organic Farming Policy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Aim to expand organic agriculture, boost production and exports, and support small farmers with premium pricing benefits.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Focuses on organic farming growth in the Northeast through certification, training, and market support.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>State-Level Initiatives:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Programs like the Sikkim Organic Mission and Andhra Pradesh ZBNF promote organic farming with financial aid, certification assistance, and marketing support.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming Way Forward<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Research and Development: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Policies and Schemes: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A well-structured national program should be developed, ensuring quality fertilisers through strict monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Raising Awareness: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Farmers should be trained through farmer-led schools, ICT tools, expert interactions, and best-practice sharing to encourage on-farm organic input production.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Smoother Certification Process: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The high cost of certification deters small farmers. Making certification accessible and affordable is crucial for wider adoption.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Technological Advancement: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Drones and AI can bridge productivity gaps, optimise soil fertility, and support sustainable organic farming practices.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Supply Chain Management: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decentralized, local production of organic inputs should be promoted to utilise regional resources, create employment, and prevent adulteration.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organic Farming UPSC PYQs\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Question 1<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2021)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 2<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production? <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2019)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Sikkim is the first \u2018Organic State in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State? <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2018)<\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that avoids synthetic chemicals, enhances soil health, and promotes biodiversity. Check more Organic Farming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":12816,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,38],"tags":[1351,40,648],"class_list":{"0":"post-12800","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-agriculture-notes","8":"category-upsc-notes","9":"tag-organic-farming","10":"tag-quest","11":"tag-upsc-agriculture-notes"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}