THIS LECTURE WILL INCLUDE
  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. DEFINITION
  3. INFORMATIONS(reports)
  4. ADVANTAGES
  5. CHALLENGES
  6. WAY FORWARD

INTRODUCTION
Organic farming is a technique that involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. It uses biological material avoiding the usage of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and other synthetic substances for maintaining soil fertility and ecological balance so that pollution and wastage can be controlled.
 Genetically modified organisms are also restricted.
 To summarize we can say organic farming is a way of growing and nurturing crops and plants   without use of synthetic fertilizers.

DEFINITION
Organic farming is a production technique that improves the health of soils, ecosystem and people. It depends on ecological processes, biodiversity rather than the use of chemical inputs. It mixes tradition, innovation and science for sharing environment and promoting fair relationship and good quality of life.



KEY FEATURES

  1.   protecting soil quality using organic material and biological activity.
  2.  indirect provision of crop nutrients using legumes. 
  3.  Nitrogen fixation in soil
  4.  Rearing of livestock
  5.  Pest control by crop rotation, biological diversity, natural predators, organic manures

INFORMATION

According to World of Organic Agriculture Report 2018,
       In India there are 30% of total organic producers in the world which is huge in  number. But this account just 2.59% of total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares.

According to ASSOCHAM,
most of organic farmers are struggling due to poor policy measures, rising input costs and limited market.

According to INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
       productivity dips by 6.7% in first year and government needs to support farmers during the transition.

According to report on DOUBLING OF FARMERS’ INCOME BY ASHOK DALWAI COMMITTEE,
30% drop in yields when embracing organic.

ADVANTAGES
  1. Organic farm products are nutrients rich as compared to conventional farms.
  2. These produce has better and natural taste.
  3. It is responsible for agricultural diversity.
  4. It prevents antibiotics, drugs, and hormones in animals products.
  5. Eco friendly


CHALLENGES

  1. ORGANIC FARMING HAS NOT BEEN FULLY SUCCESSFUL- Sikkim which turned organic in 2018 is yet to be successful as phasing out of chemical has not been complemented by increase in availability and accessibility of organic manure.
  2. LOW PRODUCTIVITY DURING TRANSITION FROM CHEMICAL TO ORGANIC FARMING
  3. PEST ATTACK ON ORGANIC CROPS – Pest disease management training is required.
  4. FEAR OF DECLINE IN PRODUCTION AND UNAVAILABILITY OF ORGANIC INPUTS IN MARKET is discouraging for farmers for shifting to organic mode.
  5. PRODUCE OF ORGANIC FARMING BECOMES EXPENSIVE, AFFECTS CONSUMERS
  6. CUMBERSOME AND TIME CONSUMING CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS

WAY FORWARD
  1. Free certification program for organic farmers - the scheme of government- PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA.
  2. Connecting farmers with the domestic and global supply chain is utmost important.
  3. Market accessibility to small and marginal farmers.
  4. Government should provide special farmers training, processing and in inventory holdings, increased packaging, logistics and distribution cost.