Future of Organic Farming in India

Organic farming is primarily an agricultural system which uses ecological principles

based on pest controls and biological fertilisers. This system was developed as a
response to the overuse of chemical and synthetic fertilisers in conventional
agriculture. Apart from the ecological benefits of organic crops, it is also good for the
climate in comparison with conventional farming. Organic farming has also proved to
be more profitable, as it uses fewer chemicals and the residue is comparatively less
chemical-intensive, and the products can be sold for increased margins as they are
relatively healthier and chemical-free than other food products from conventional
agriculture. Studies show that practising organic farming methods over a long period
of time can also provide equal yields or even outdo conventional methods.

In 2015, the export and domestic market of the Indian organic industry grew by 30%
and 40% respectively. Organic farming has seen a drastic overall development in
almost every crop type due to an increase in awareness of food security and
environmental safety. We also observe that the Health conscious consumers today
will support the growth of the organic agricultural sector in many ways. According to
WHO, the total global organic food market presently is around $37 billion, whereas
the $14 billion market is for herbal plants and medicines alone, this is expected to
reach $5 trillion by the year 2050. According to the International Fund for Agriculture
and Development. India has more than 15,000 certified organic farms. Sikkim, has
75,000 hectares of land under organic cultivation is an organic state. By 2030,
Meghalaya, another northeast state of India, also aims to convert 200,000 hectares of
land into organic cultivation. In Kerala, more than 100,000 farmers are adopting
organic farming practices.

Here are some techniques by which Indian farmers can pursue organic farming

1. Soil Management: Soil management is the primary technique of organic

farming in India. After cultivation, soil loses its nutrients, and its fertiliser goes
down. Through this process, soil recharges the nutrients and in Organic
farming uses natural ways to increase the fertility of the soil. It uses bacteria,
available in animal waste. The bacteria helps in making the soil more
productive and fertile.
2. Crop Diversity: Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or
cropping systems to agricultural production on a particular farm taking into
account the different returns from value-added crops with complementary
marketing opportunities.
 3. Chemical Management in Farming: Agricultural farms contain useful and
harmful organisms that affect farms. To save crops and soil, the growth of
organisms needs to be controlled. In this process, natural or fewer chemicals,
herbicides, and pesticides are used to protect soil and crops. Proper
maintenance is required throughout the area to control other organisms.
4. Biological Pest Control: Biological control or biocontrol is a method of
controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other
organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural
mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role.
5. Weed Management: It is the process of minimising the weed population and
their growth below the level of economic injury to the crop with minimum
environmental pollution. Weeds can be managed by adopting any suitable
method of weed control & if needed by combining two or more methods of
weed control. Primarily done in two ways;

 Moving or cutting – In this process, cut the weed.

 Mulching – In this process, farmers use a plastic film or plant to residue on the
soil’s surface to block the weed’s growth.

This organic food market in India is still considered to be a very niche market and is
expected to observe wider penetration in this decade. This is evident through the
increasing number of food adulteration cases and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
urging farmers of the country to use sustainable means for farming, on the 75th
independence day of India. This highlights the need for farmers to adopt organic
farming practices to cater the future markets efficiently. The distribution channel of
organic farming has also seen varied growth over the years, through the use of e-
commerce services for health and food products which observed a surge in use and
innovation due to the pandemic, and small kiosks opening in several malls in major
metropolitan cities. Through the rigorous increase in demand and multiple
companies contributing through innovation, The distribution channel of health and
food products is undergoing high expansions. The Indian organic food market was
valued at 68,000 crores in the year 2020 and according to a study by Yes Bank, by
2025 the Indian Organic food business is likely to be Rs 75,000 crores, a manyfold
growth from the current level. The major drivers of the market consist of the rise in
health consciousness amongst the general public after the pandemic. This also
includes the rise in disposable income of consumers, as the country continues to
observe economic growth in the coming years. The Government of India also
provides various financial assistance to farmers who implement organic farming
under various government schemes, and they are set to become a key players in
setting up the organic food market in India.

It becomes very prudent for Indian farmers to realise the market potential of organic
food products, and implement similar organic farming techniques in their agricultural
practices. This would invite financial assistance from the government through various
government schemes, a special segment of crops which can be sold for higher profit
margins for being chemical free and it would replenish the soil health for sustainable
farming in the future.