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hat is Organic farming?
The main idea behind organic farming is “zero impact” on the
environment. The organic farming is to protect the earth’s resources and
produce safe and healthy crop. Organic farming is a production system that
sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological
processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local condition, rather than the
use of inputs with adverse effects.
Organic farming combines
tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote
fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. Organic farming
is being practiced in 130 countries of the world. The ill effects of chemicals
used in agriculture have changed the mind-set of some consumers of different
countries who are now buying organic with high premium for health. Policy
makers are also promoting organic farming for restoration of soil health and generation
of rural economy apart from making efforts for creating better environment. The
global organic area is 26 million hectares roughly along with 61 standards and
364 certification bodies roughly. The world organic market is now $26 billion.
The organic area in India is 2.5 million hectare including certified forest
area.
Organic farming is not new to Indian agriculture community.
Several forms of organic farming are being successfully practiced in diverse
climate, particularly in rain fed, tribal, mountains and hill areas of the
country. Among all agriculture systems, organic farming is gaining wide
attention among farmers, entrepreneurs, policy makers and agricultural
scientists for varied reasons such as it minimizes the dependence on chemical
inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other agro-chemicals) thus safe
guards and improves the quality of resources, and it is labour intensive and provides
an opportunity to increase rural employment and achieve long term improvements
in the quality of resource base.
Favourable Effects of Organic Farming on Environment
Organic farming is much better for the environment than
conventional farming. One of the greatest environmental problems today is
energy consumption and organic farming. As a matter of fact, energy efficiency
is around seven percent greater for the organic farming system. Other positive
environmental aspects of organic farming include the use of much less
fertilizer, and the complete avoidance of synthetic fertilizers, which are
harmful to soil, water, animal and people. Also, the nitrate content of organic
fields is significantly lower than on conventional farms due to the absence of
soluble fertilizers. Organic farming focuses on preserving the habitats of all
species and their surrounding environments, including the air and water.
Organic farming releases much less carbon dioxide than does conventional
farming. Carbon dioxide is the leading greenhouse gas that causes global
warming.
NEED OF ORGANIC FARMING
With the increase in population our compulsion would be not
only to stabilize agricultural production but to increase it further in sustainable
manner. The scientists have realized that the “Green Revolution‟ with high
input use has reached a plateau and is now sustained with diminishing return of
falling dividends. Thus, a natural balance needs to be maintained at all cost
for existence of life and property. The obvious choice for that would be more
relevant in the present era, when these agrochemicals which are produced from
fossil fuel and are not renewable and are diminishing in availability. It may
also cost heavily on our foreign exchange in future. The key characteristics of
organic farming include
1.
Protecting the long-term fertility of soils by
maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and
careful mechanical intervention.
2.
Providing crop nutrients indirectly using
relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by
the action of soil micro-organisms.
3.
Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of
legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective recycling of
organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.
4.
Weed, disease and pest control relying primarily
on crop rotations, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring, resistant
varieties and limited (preferably minimal) thermal, biological and chemical intervention.
5.
The extensive management of livestock, paying
full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioural needs and animal
welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and
rearing.
6.
Careful attention to the impact of the farming
system on the wider environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural
habitats.
Organic farming was practiced in India since thousands of
years. The great Indian civilization thrived on organic farming and was one of
the most prosperous countries in the world, till the British ruled it. In
traditional India, the entire agriculture was practiced using organic
techniques, where the fertilizers, pesticides, etc., were obtained from plant
and animal products. Organic farming was the backbone of the Indian economy and
cow was worshipped (and is still done so) as a god. The cow, not only provided
milk, but also provided bullocks for farming and dung which was used as fertilizers.
Given below are some
of the Advantages of Organic Farming for Small Farmers High Premium Organic
food is normally priced 20 - 30% higher than conventional food. This premium is
very important for a small farmer whose income is just sufficient to feed his/her
family with one meal.
Low Investment
Organic farming normally does not involve capital investment
as high as that required in chemical farming. Further, since organic
fertilizers and pesticides can be produced locally, the yearly costs incurred
by the farmer are also low. Agriculture greatly depends on external factors
such as climate, pests, disease. Furthermore, most of the small farmers are
dependent on natural rain for water. Therefore in cases of natural calamity,
pest or disease attack, and irregular rainfall, when there is a crop failure,
small farmers practicing organic farming have to suffer less as their
investments are low. (It should be noted that while shifting from chemical
farming to organic farming, the transition might be costly)
Less Dependence on
Money Lenders
Many small farmers worldwide commit suicide since chemical
inputs, which are very costly, are not required in organic farming, small
farmers are not dependent on money lenders. Crop failure, therefore, does not
leave an organic farmer into enormous debt, and does not force him to take an extreme
step.
Synergy with Life
Forms Organic farming involves synergy with various
plant and animal life forms. Small farmers are able to understand this synergy
easily and hence find it easy to implement them.
Traditional
Knowledge
Small farmers
have abundance of traditional knowledge with them and within their community.
Most of this traditional knowledge cannot be used for chemical farming.
However, when it comes to organic farming, the farmers can make use of the
traditional knowledge. Further, in case of organic farming, small farmers are
not dependent on those who provide chemical know-how.
Constraints in
Organic Farming in India
There are many constraints to the spread of organic
agriculture in India. Here are the main ones.
Bias towards Chemical Farming
Existing policies, research and extension activities all
support high-external-input farming. Little attention is given to organic
agriculture, and no resource materials are available.
Misappropriation of Local Varieties
There is a danger that local seed varieties will be patented
by multinational companies. The Indian government should recognize the rich
heritage which is the property if India and its local people. This property
should be protected by law.
Hazardous Chemicals
The government should ensure that hazardous substances which
are banned internationally do not reach Indian farmers. Such chemicals are
dangerous to people and the environment. Laws already regulate them, but they
are not properly enforced.
Certification of Organic Farming
Policy support for organic agriculture is arriving, but it
caters to big organic enterprises. The procedures and requirements are not
suited to small-scale farmers.
Bias in Incentives
The government provides many different incentives for high
input agriculture. Equal attention should be given to sustainable agricultural
practices.
Lack of Research and Extension Support
To organic farming and on various aspects like traditional
varieties.
Poor Marketing
There is a lack of organized, appropriate marketing
structures for small-scale organic farming.
Misinformation and Market Power
The pesticide industry provides misleading or false
information to farmers. Its well-established marketing structures feed India’s
farmers with persuasive messages promoting high-input farming.
Lack of Awareness
Farmers and consumers are still not awakened to the dangers
of chemical farming and the continuing depletion of natural resources.
Changes Needed to
Achieve the Potentials of Organic Agriculture
Many changes are needed if India is to overcome these
constraints and achieve its rich potential in organic agriculture.
Research and Extension
Research is needed to improve the yield of local crop varieties.
Research and extension systems should place more emphasis on developing
indigenous crops and livestock.
Supporting Small-Scale Organic Farming
Specific attention should be given to improving local
agricultural production by marginal farmers and smallholders who are still
“organic by default” and frequently depend on public welfare programmes.
Protect Livelihoods of Rural Poor
The deregulation of national food markets has been agreed on
an international level. Within this framework, agricultural policy should
develop new strategies to prevent small-scale farmers from being pushed out of
the market and off their land into poverty.
Local Control of Land
Large areas of wasteland and forest land located close to
villages should be supervised by village committees. This would increase their
ability to rehabilitate and use these lands in a sustainable way.
Local Enterprises
Village-level, farm-based enterprises need to be promoted,
strengthened and linked to potential markets. This requires support structures
that are rarely in place. The government should provide guidelines and support
to improve transport facilities, access to information, training, local marketing
systems, etc.
Organic
agriculture should become part of the agricultural curriculum. Professional
degrees in organic agriculture should be offered at universities to meet the
demand for qualified specialists.
Ø NOW OUR OBJECTIVES
ARE TO STUDY THE
PRESENT SCENARIO OF ORGANIC FARMING IN THE STUDY AREA.
Ø TO
ASSESS AND EVALUATE THE FACTORS WHICH FACILITATES THE ADOPTION OF ORGANIC
FARMING THROUGH RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
Ø
TO STUDY THE CONSTRAINTS OF ORGANIC FARMING AND
TO PROVIDE THE REMEDIAL MEASURES THEREOF.