Organic farming ...!!

 Organic farming ...!!

Introduction

Organic farming is an alternative system of farming that promotes biological practices and environment-friendly materials for crops and aims to cut down the use of synthetic substances that harm the soil and land in the long run. It is a perfect combination of scientific knowledge and natural practices.

Key Points

• Organic farming originated in the early 20th century.

• 2.2  million  hectares  of  land  is  under   organic   farming   today.  However, the demand for organic foods and practices has grown recently.

• Before 2000 farmers all over India were using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other synthetic components for their crops. This affected the quality of soil and degraded the lands.

• When the realisation hit the farmers, organic farming practices gained popularity.
• Organic farming practices promote the use of green manures, natural composts, animal wastes etc.

• In India, this organic farming is a boon because it relies on natural materials that are available in abundance and also leads to cost-cutting for the farmers who had to spend too much for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• Apart from the organic components, it promotes the use of practices that protect the land from degrading and soil from pollution. For example, crop rotation, crop diversity etc.

• These practices enable the land to keep its fertility intact. Moreover, it relies on the action of micro-organisms and natural nitrogen fixations which are good for the soil.

• The use of harmful weedicides for killing of weeds is also replaced by natural weed management. Mowing, cutting, flame weeding etc are some of the techniques that are used for the same.
  
  
  

• Integrated pest control, integrated nutrient management, use of a hybrid variety of seeds and a focus on labour-intensive technologies makes organic farming all the more attractive.

• Raising natural livestock under healthy conditions is another salient feature of organic farming.

• Organic farming has helped us increase the food safety and food security. Organic foods have helped us achieve self-sufficiency. People all over the country have become more health conscious and now prefer organic and farm fresh foods.
  

• There are 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras that are always ready to guide the Indian farmers for any problems they face while farming and to teach them how to make use of new and improved technologies.

• The Farming Community set up the Organic Farming Association of India(OFAI) in 2002. It has programmes for guiding the farmers about organic farming and brings in them the much-needed awareness.

• There are organic farms that have become a talk of the town on the internet. Happy Hens organic farm, Vrindavan farm, Back to Basics are some of the popular ones.

 

Future Plans

• India Organic Food Market Forecast and Opportunities 2020 Report suggests a growth of over 25% in the market for organic foods by 2020.

• Promoting organic farming is the government’s mission now under the traditional agricultural development plan. Research and innovations in this regard is taking place on a large scale.

• The Prime Minister has planned to promote E-marketing portal for organic products.

• Just like Green revolution in India, an Organic Revolution is proposed for India.

• In Sikkim, it is proposed that farmers practising organic farming shall be given a monthly pension. Such initiatives will surely give a boost to the productivity.

• Initiatives like Agri-Udaan are taken by the government so as to make the farmers financially strong and increase their income levels as well as standard of living.

• Increased investments are expected in organic farming as it is seen as a profitable venture.

Conclusion

Organic farming is thus a blessing in disguise for India and is undoubtedly Healthy for the Environment Healthy for the farmer And Healthy for the consumers!