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Organic Farming

Last updated on October 28, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

Sikkim becomes the first truly organic state of India in 2016.

However, area-wise among all states, Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under organic farming followed by Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Table of Contents

What is Organic Farming Technique?

Organic farming techniques include crop rotation, green manure, and biological pest control with the help of organic wastes and other biological materials along with bio-fertilizers, to provide sufficient nutrients to the crops and sustainable production of the crops without harming the environment, soil, and nutritional value.

The term “organic food” is only used to refer to foods produced without using chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified raw materials and processed without using chemical additives or other synthetic substances.

Moreover, meat, poultry, and dairy products produced without the use of antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones are also included in the definition.

One of the most mesmerizing features is that organic products produced in India include a variety of food products namely sugarcane, tea, fruit, spices, vegetables, etc

Organic Farming: Products and Certification

India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) handles the regulation of organic food.

In November 2017, the FSSAI announced organic food laws that govern the production, marketing, distribution, and import of organic foods into India.

Any food that wants to be labeled as “organic” in India must be certified under one of the two systems-

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), and
• Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India)

PGS India is a self-certification system meant for the domestic market only which comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

This organic regulation was created to address the issue of fraud and mislabeling in foods marketed as “organic,”.

It permits the import of organic food into India without re-certification in India if the organic standards of the exporting nation have been recognized as being similar to NPOP.

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is a third-party certification program run under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry since 2001. This program laid down the norms and guidelines governing the production of organic food.

Farmers and enterprises involved in producing organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed foods must follow these standards.

For instance, for a honey production business to be certified as organic, every farm within a 5 km radius of the bee box and the farmer’s land on which the bee box is maintained must comply with organic standards.

The certification under the NPOP program is mainly done by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Apart from a number of private certification organizations like the Indian Organic Certification Agency (INDOCERT) , Natural Organic Certification Pvt. Ltd., and State government organizations like Uttarakhand State Organic Certification Agency, a central government agency like FSSAI also certifies organic products.

Advantages of Organic Farming and Products

In India, organic farming is a fundamental method of agriculture. Crop rotation and natural compost, which improve soil fertility and crop health, are among the best farming practices that have been used since ancient times.

Crop quality and soil fertility have both significantly declined with the increased usage of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. These modifications may be reversed via organic farming.

• Organic farming increases the nutritional content of food.
• It helps in maintaining the fertility of the soil.
• Discourages the use of chemical products such as pesticides and fertilizers that makes the crop free from poisonous contents.
• Toxin-free food reduces health issues earlier caused by the absorption of toxins by crops.
• Organically produced food serves a better nutrition quotient and better taste.
• Organic farming enables the storage of organic food for a longer time as organic plants have greater metabolic and structural integrity in their cellular structure.

Challenges Faced in Organic Farming

• It involves a significant investment of manpower and financial resources.
• An underdeveloped supply chain and small and mid-size farmers located in the hilly region could face a problem to access the market.
• Lack of infrastructure, cold storage, etc could lead to spoilage.
• Farmers under a self-certification program like the PGS system for India are not allowed to export. In fact, APEDA has made it mandatory a third-party certification for the export of organic products.
• segregation of organic products from conventional products to avoid cross-contamination.
• Chances of loss in yield while changing the technique from conventional chemical-based farming to organic farming.
• A shortage of good-quality organic inputs increases the loss of yield.
• The most important issue faced by the market is ‘Greenwashing’ as many products in the market is claiming to be organic products but in practice are not complying with the government guidelines.
• Due to lower productivity, farmers are forced to sell the products at premium prices, making it unbearable for the common man.

Scopes/Benefits

The green revolution and excess use of fertilizers and pesticides are creating multiple health and lifestyle-related issues and environmental problems. Organic farming can be used as a method to solve soil and contamination problems.

Organic farming makes the soil healthy and filled with helpful organisms. These beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms keep the pathogenic bacteria and fungi in check.

Disease Management

In organic and low-input production systems, plant diseases are a major factor in crop yield and quality losses.

Crop rotation and proper fertility management, which include supplying crops with a balanced amount of macro and micronutrients, have been demonstrated to increase crops’ resilience to specific diseases.

Weed Management

Herbicides, made of chemicals are prohibited in organic farming. So, to control weeds, many cultural techniques like tillage, floods, and mulching can be applied.

In addition, biological (pathogen) methods can be applied to control weed-related loss. Utilizing drip irrigation, which restricts the flow of water to the plant line, can also help to reduce the growth of weeds.

Large-scale organic farming may not be feasible for supplying a 130-crore-person nation with the food it needs. India’s population makes up 16% of the world’s population, while its arable land makes up 2.4% of the world’s total arable land. India will need to adopt a well-rounded strategy that carefully integrates both science and technology and organic techniques.

Article Written By: Priti Raj

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Organic farming in India:

Topics Covered: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country.

In a world battered by the COVID pandemic, the demand for healthy and safe food is already showing an upward trend and hence this is an opportune moment to be captured for a win-win situation for our farmers, consumers and the environment.

• India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming .
• Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets.
• North East India has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than rest of the country.
• Similarly the tribal and island territories are being nurtured to continue their organic story.
• The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.

Government initiatives to support organic farming:

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) launched in 2015 to encourage chemical free farming.

• Both these schemes are promoting certification under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) respectively targeting domestic and exports markets.
• What is organic farming?
• It is an agricultural process that uses biological fertilizers and pest control acquired from animal or plant waste.
• It is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.

InstaLinks :

Prelims Link:

• What is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
• Differences between ZBNF vs organic farming.

Mains Link:

Discuss the significance and features of Organic Farming.

Sources: pib.

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Organic Farming

• October 3, 2022

Agriculture , Economics , Environment & Ecology

Introduction: Considering the genetic altering impact on the human body and biodiversity loss, reduction in pesticide usage i.e., chemical farming should have become an Indian government’s  priority long ago.

With reference to Indian agriculture, we will discuss organic farming for sustainable and stable development over chemical farming in detail :

What is organic Farming?

• As per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic farming is a system which largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) and relies upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, organic waste, and biological system of nutrient mobilization.
• Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient times.
• Currently India ranks 33rd in terms of total land under organic cultivation and 88th in terms of the ratio of agricultural land under organic crops to total farming area.

What are the principles adopted in Organic Farming in India?

• Organic agriculture grows and develops with these principles. These can contribute to improving organic agriculture for the world.
• Principles of Health – The health of the ecosystem, people, and communities.
• The Principles of Ecology – The right balance between ecosystem and environment or nature.
• Principles of Fairness – Good human relationships and quality of life.
• Principles of Care – The considerations about the environment and environment of the future.

Need of encouraging the use of organic farming in India:

• Unsustainable conventional agriculture : The ill effects of the conventional farming system are felt in India in terms of the unsustainability of agricultural production, environmental degradation, health and sanitation problems, etc. Organic agriculture is needed as an alternative method to the modern system.
• Organic farming has the potential of increased productivity in the long term due to better soil conditions and ecosystems.
• Rising population : With the increase in population there is need to increase agriculture production further in sustainable manner. The scientists have realized that the ‘Green Revolution’ with high input use has reached its peak and is now diminishing returns. Thus, a sustainable organic alternative is needed.
• Employment Opportunities : According to many studies, organic farming requires more labour input than the conventional farming system. India which has a very large amount of labour unemployment and underemployment can generate agricultural jobs through organic farming in rural areas.
• While the consumers get healthy foods with better taste and nutritive values, the farmers are indirectly benefited from healthy soils and farm production environment.
• Organic farming adds to the beauty of the fields and provides protection to the ecosystem, flora, fauna with increased biodiversity and the resulting benefits to all human and living beings.

Challenges in Organic Farming in India:

Shortage of Biomass: experts are not sure whether all the nutrients with the required quantities can be made available by the organic materials. Even if this problem can be surmounted, they are of the view that the available organic matter is not simply enough to meet the requirements

Disparity of Supply and Demand : Non-perishable grains can be grown anywhere and transported to any location but this is not the case with fruits and vegetables.

Time: organic farming requires greater interaction between a farmer and his crop for observation, timely intervention and weed control for instance.

High MRP: It is almost obvious that due to the extreme care taken to go along with organic farming, the results would be kept at a high price.

Lack of special infrastructure : Most large organic farms still operate in an industrialized agriculture style, including industrial transportation of the food from field to plate. Unfortunately, this involves the adoption of the same environmentally harmful practices as those of factory farms which are however hidden under the cover of being organic

Important Government Initiatives/Schemes:

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the scheme.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee

One District – One Product: The programme aims to encourage more visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh, generating employment at the district level.

National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm: Financial assistance is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azotobacter/Mycorrhiza and vermin-compost.

The Organic Farming Action Programme : The objective is to promote and significantly develop organic farming by means of priority measures

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) is the food regulator in the country and is also responsible for regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): PGS is a process of certifying organic products, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards.

• PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years. It is mainly for domestic purpose.

National Program for Organic Production (NPOP ): NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third-party certification for export purposes.

Way Forward:

Unsustainable agricultural practices have proved to be harmful for land, soil and farmers in general. A switch to organic farming can not only help to achieve sustainable agricultural production but would help farmers with rise in income and production.

An emphasis should be given to organic farming. Sikkim is being such a state to recognise it early and becoming a 100% organic state. Other states should work for the same.

Source: Indian Express

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Organic Farming

Organic farming, sustainable agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops.

Organic farming in India: key facts

• India’s rank in terms of number of organic farmers - 1 st (home to 30% of total  organic producers in the world); in terms of world’s organic agriculture land  globally - 5 th . 
• Area under Cultivation: only 2% of net sown area. 
• Top 3 states - MP,  Maharashtra & Gujarat account for largest area organic certification; in terms of production - MP, Maharashtra & Rajasthan. 
• India’s exports of organic products- USD 1.04 billion during 2020-21.
• Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets.

Principles of organic farming   

Similarities between organic farming and natural farming

• Both focuses on using natural inputs and processes to improve soil health, reduce environmental impact, and produce healthy crops. 
• Both avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and promote biodiversity by using native crops and crop rotation.
• Both practices prioritize animal welfare and aim to produce food that is free from harmful chemicals. 

Difference between organic farming and natural farming 

Challenges of Organic Farming:

Initiatives for the promotion of Organic Farming in India

• National Programme for Organic Production: APEDA , Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). 
• Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), as defined by IFOAM , are "locally focused quality assurance systems. 
• They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange."
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: 
• The scheme stresses on end-to-end support to organic 
• Post-harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made an integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers.
• Under PMKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years, out of which Rs. 31,000 (62%) is provided directly through DBT for inputs .
• Regulations for Organic Food Products, 2017 issued by FSSAI.
• Jaivik Bharat/PGS Green logo given by FSSAI to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’.
• Organic e-commerce platform www.jaivikkheti.in for directly linking farmers with retail & bulk buyers.

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Organic Farming – Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY), NPOF etc.

• Backgrounder

Need for climate-smart agriculture in India

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: GHG Emissions

Mains level: climate change and food insecurity

Central idea

The article underscores the critical challenges of climate change and food insecurity facing humanity. It emphasizes the significance of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a holistic approach, promoting sustainable development, resilience to climate change, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Key Highlights:

• Global Challenges: Addressing climate change and food insecurity as critical global issues.
• Impact on Agriculture: Discussing the negative effects of climate change on agriculture, leading to increased challenges for farmers.
• Holistic Solution: Introducing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a holistic solution to adaptation and mitigation challenges.
• Emphasizing Importance: Highlighting the importance of CSA in enhancing resilience, improving productivity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Government Initiatives: Citing Indian government initiatives promoting CSA, such as the National Adaptation Fund and Soil Health Mission.

Key Challenges:

• Climate Risks: Analyzing the substantial risks posed by climate change to agricultural productivity, with India potentially facing a 9% decline in crop yield.
• Need for Reforms: Discussing the need for significant reforms in the agriculture industry to adapt traditional farming practices to climate change.
• Transformative Approach: Emphasizing the requirement for a radical transformation of the agriculture sector to achieve sustainable development goals.

Key Terms/Phrases:

• Holistic Approach: Exploring the concept of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and its three pillars.
• Precision Farming: Highlighting the importance of precision farming in optimizing agricultural methods.
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Describing the role of CSA in building resilience against climate change.
• Agroforestry and Carbon Sequestration: Identifying specific CSA measures for environmental benefits.
• Paris Agreement: Linking CSA to global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Examples and References:

• Global Efforts: Noting community-supported agriculture efforts worldwide as examples of CSA in action.
• Specific Measures: Citing studies from the northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain showcasing the benefits of CSA for wheat production.
• Government Support: Referring to government initiatives in India, including the Soil Health Card Scheme.
• International Frameworks: Connecting CSA to international frameworks like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Facts/Data:

• Climate Impact: Highlighting the potential 9% decline in crop yield in India due to climate change.
• GHG Emissions: Noting agriculture’s significant share (17%) in greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.
• Economic Autonomy: Pointing out the economic autonomy gained by farmers through CSA implementation.
• Government Initiatives: Providing data on government spending on initiatives like the National Adaptation Fund.

Critical Analysis:

• Urgency of Action: Emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change’s impact on agriculture and the need for a comprehensive approach like CSA.
• Positive Outcomes: Discussing the positive outcomes of CSA, including economic autonomy for farmers and benefits to biodiversity conservation.
• Localized Responses: Highlighting the importance of localized responses to climate change and the role of CSA in meeting international obligations.

Way Forward:

• Investment in Capacity-Building: Recommending continued investment in capacity-building programs for CSA.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Emphasizing the importance of providing practical tools and knowledge for the adoption of CSA.
• Triple Goals: Stating the role of CSA in ensuring food security, empowering farmers, and protecting ecosystems.
• Unique Juncture in India: Recognizing the unique juncture in India where CSA adoption is essential due to climate vulnerability and agricultural significance.

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Kerala rolls out Organic Farming Mission  

Prelims level: Kerala Organic Farming Mission

Mains level: NA

Central Idea

• In a proactive move towards sustainable and climate-smart farming, the Kerala Government has launched the Organic Farming Mission.

Kerala Organic Farming Mission 

Complementary mission: poshaka samriddhi.

• In addition to the Organic Farming Mission, the Kerala Government created the Poshaka Samriddhi Mission in September 2023.
• This initiative is dedicated to ramping up millet and vegetable production, furthering the state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana (PK3Y)

Prelims level: ZBNF

Mains level: Promotion of Organic Farming

Women farmers in the hill State of Himachal Pradesh are gradually turning to non-chemical, low cost “natural farming”, under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana (PK3Y).

Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana

• Launched in 2018, the State’s PK3Y is promoting the climate resilient Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF), also called ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming’.
• Over 1.5 lakh farmers have been trained in natural farming in the State so far, with substantial numbers of women participants.

About Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)?

• ZBNF is a set of farming methods, and also a grassroots peasant movement, which has spread to various states in India.
• Subhash Palekar perfected it during the 1990s at his farm in Amravati district in Maharashtra ’s drought-prone Vidarbha region.
• According to the “zero budget” concept, farmers won’t have to spend any money on fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
• Over 98% of the nutrients that crops require — carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, solar energy — are already present in nature.
• The remaining 1.5-2% are taken from the soil, after microorganisms convert them from “non-

Four Wheels of ZBNF

The “four wheels” of ZBNF are ‘Jiwamrita’, ‘Bijamrita’, ‘Mulching’ and ‘Waaphasa’.

• Jiwamrita is a fermented mixture of cow dung and urine (of desi breeds), jaggery, pulses flour, water and soil from the farm bund.
• This isn’t a fertiliser, but just a source of some 500 crore micro-organisms that can convert all the necessary “non-available” nutrients into “available” form.
• Bijamrita is a mix of desi cow dung and urine, water, bund soil and lime that is used as a seed treatment solution prior to sowing.
• Mulching , or covering the plants with a layer of dried straw or fallen leaves, is meant to conserve soil moisture and keep the temperature around the roots at 25-32 degrees Celsius, which allows the microorganisms to do their job.
• Waaphasa , or providing water to maintain the required moisture-air balance, also achieves the same objective.

Astra’s of ZBNF against pest attacks

• ZBNF advocates the use of special ‘ Agniastra’ , ‘ Bramhastra’ and ‘ Neemastra’ concoctions.
• They are based on cow urine and dung, plus pulp from leaves of neem, white datura, papaya, guava and pomegranates — for controlling pest and disease attacks.

Is it organic farming?

• ZBNF uses farmyard manure or vermicompost.

However, not all farmers are convinced about ZBNF. Why?

• Cost of labour: The cost of labour for collection of dung and urine, apart from the other inputs used in preparation of Jiwamrita, Neemastra or Bramhastra is quit higher.
• Bovine cost: Keeping cows is also a cost that has to be accounted for. Farmers cannot afford to keep desi cows that yield very little milk.
• Vulnerability to pest attacks:  ZBNF is scarcely practiced.  The crop grown would be vulnerable to attacks by insects and pests have already become pest-immune.

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What is Biochar?

Prelims level: Biochar and its application

Mains level: Use as organic farming option

A new research has shown that Biochar application is more effective in promoting pulses growth and yield in Ghana.

Try this PYQ:   Q.In the context of which one of the following are the terms ‘pyrolysis and plasma gasification’ mentioned? (CSP 2019) (a) Extraction of rare earth elements (b) Natural gas extraction technologies (c) Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles (d) Waste-to-energy technologies

• Biochar is a high-carbon, fine-grained residue that is currently produced through modern pyrolysis processes (direct thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen and preventing combustion).
• It produces a mixture of solids (the biochar proper), liquid (bio-oil), and gas (syngas) products.
• Biochar may increase soil fertility of acidic soils (low pH soils), increase agricultural productivity, and provide protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases.

Its benefits

• Carbon Sink: The burning and natural decomposition of biomass releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane to the Earth’s atmosphere. The biochar production process also releases CO2 (up to 50% of the biomass); however the remaining carbon content is stable indefinitely.
• Soil Amendment: Biochar is recognized as offering a number of soil health benefits. The extremely porous nature of biochar is found to be effective at retaining both water and water-soluble nutrients. Its presence in the earth can improve water quality, increase soil fertility, raise agricultural productivity, and reduce pressure on old-growth forests.
• Water retention: Biochar is hygroscopic. Thus it is a desirable soil material in many locations due to its ability to attract and retain water.

————————-//———————-

Back2Basics

What is pyrolysis.

• Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere.
• It involves a change in chemical composition. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro “fire” and lysis “separating”.
• It is most commonly used in the treatment of organic materials. It is one of the processes involved in charring wood.
• It is considered as the first step in the processes of gasification or combustion.

How does it work?

• In general, pyrolysis of organic substances produces volatile products and leaves a solid residue enriched in carbon, char.
• Extreme pyrolysis, which leaves mostly carbon as the residue, is called carbonization.
• The process is used heavily in the chemical industry, for example, to produce ethylene, many forms of carbon, and other chemicals from petroleum, coal, and even wood, to produce coke from coal.

The market for organic food in this country is likely to treble in the next four years, according to a report from business chamber Assocham and TechSci Research, a non-government body.

What is organic farming?

Need for organic farming in india.

• Key characteristics of organic farming

Steps taken by the Government to promote organic farming in India

Key features of pkvy, status of organic farming in india.

• Why demand for organic products are increasing in recent years?

Challenges and constraints faced by Organic farming in India

Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient time.

It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment.

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

• Protecting the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention
• Providing crop nutrients indirectl y using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms
• 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
• 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
• The extensive management of livestock , paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioral needs and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing
• Careful attention to the impact of the farming system on the wider environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats

Government is promoting  Organic farming  through various schèmes

• National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF )
• National Horticulture Mission (NHM )
• Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalyan States (HMNEH )
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana  (RKVY)
• Network Project on Organic Farming  of Indian Council Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• In addition to this, Government is implementing  a Cluster based programme   to encourage the farmer for promoting organic farming called  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
• Groups of farmers would be motivated to take up organic farming under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). Fifty or more farmers will form a cluster having 50 acre land to take up the organic farming under the scheme.
• In this way during three years 10,000 clusters will be formed covering 5.0 lakh acre area under organic farming. There will be no liability on the farmers for expenditure on certification.
• Every farmer will be provided Rs. 20,000 per acre in three years for seed to harvesting of crops and to transport produce to the market.
• Organic farming will be promoted by using traditional resources and the organic products will be linked with the market.
• It will increase domestic production and certification of organic produce by involving farmers
• The current market (pulses and foodgrain the bulk) of organic food is at $500 million (about Rs 3,350 crore). It was $360 million (Rs 2,400 crore) in 2014.
• Although nascent, the Indian organic food market has begun growing rapidly in last few years. A report by Yes Bank in 2014 said that the organic food sector is growing at about 20% in India, with more than 100 retail organic outlets in Mumbai and about 60 in Bangalore.
• Total area under organic certification in India in 2013-14 is estimated to be 4.72 million ha with 15 per cent are certified and the rest under forest area. India has the highest number of organic producers in the world (5,97,873), mainly due to small holdings.
• During 2013-14, India exported 135 products , realisation from which was to the tune of $403, million including $183 million contributed by exports of organic textile. Major destinations for organic products from India are the US, EU, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asian countries, West Asia, South Africa, etc.
• Soyabean (70 per cent) lead among the products exported followed by cereals and millets other than basmati (six per cent), processed food products (five per cent), basmati rice (four per cent), sugar (three per cent), tea (two per cent), pulses and lentils (one per cent), dry fruits (one per cent), spices (one per cent).

Why is the demand for organic products increasing in recent years

• The most important issue facing organic farming is its failure to raise the productivity to keep pace with the growing population. Studies, according to a latest report in The Wall Street Journal, have shown that organic yields are far less than yields of conventional farming. As per the 2011 survey data of National Agricultural Statistics Service, a branch of the US organic farming would require 14.5 million acres more to equal conventional farming’s production of 14 staple (human-focused food crops).
• There is a wide gap in scientific validation and research compared to the progress in the same for general agriculture. Also, there is a need to aid farmers with advisory services (technical and managerial support to form cluster and adopt best management practices).
• Due to lack of government support, the courage needed to convert inorganic land into organic land is missing also there is  absence of globally recognized consultancy for timely guidance to farmers. Thus, huge support from states and the Centre is required.
• Key problems faced by organic farmers during the transition phase are non-realisation of premium.

References:

• Business Standard
• Agritech.TNAU

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Back to main page, organic farming- status and challenges.

Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage. FAO suggested that Organic agriculture enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.

Status of Organic farming in India:

• India is home to  30 per cent of the total organic producers in the world, but accounts for just 2.59 per cent (1.5 million hectares) of the total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares,  according to the  World of Organic Agriculture 2018 report.
• India is the largest exporter of organic cotton worldwide.
• More than 30% of world’s organic producers are in India
• India exporting over 300 products in 20 different categories.
• India exported 1.35 million metric tons of “certified organic” food in the year of 2015-16.
• Oilseeds comprised half of India’s overall organic food export, followed by processed food products at 25%.
• Current Indian organic market is estimated at more than Rs. 4000 crore and it is likely to increase to 10,000 to 20,000 crore by 2020.
• Indian organic market has a combined annual growth rate of 25% compared to 16% global growth rate.
• Most organic farmers are struggling due to poor policy measures, rising input costs and limited market, says a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and global consultancy firm Ernst & Young.

Challenges:

• Due to relatively small volumes, the costs of organic food products are relatively high. According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, productivity on an average  dips by 6.7 per cent in the first year , and the government needs to have a plan in place to support farmers during the transition.
• The cost of cultivation increases as it takes more time and energy to produce than its chemical-intensive counterpart.
• High demand and low supply  has further created an inflationary pressure on organic food products.
• Pest attack on organic crops  is another reason cited by the farmers for low productivity and demanded education and training to deal with it.
• Specialised farmer training costs ,  higher processing and inventory holding costs, and increased packaging , logistics and distribution costs  add to the price of end products.
• The absence of organic food products across all segments in the market is a concern
• There is  low awareness at the producer level  on the difference between conventional farming and organic farming.
• At the consumer level, there is confusion between natural and organic products and limited understanding of the health benefits of organic food products
• Consumers are faced with a plethora of decisions around brands —imported or domestic, product quality, authenticity of claims and certifications.
• Even as farmers are struggling to find a better market, the  existing certification systems for organic food are making things difficult for them . The certification systems are not only cumbersome and time-consuming, but also expensive.

Way forward:

• Supply-demand mismatch can be eased fundamentally  by making organic production  mainstream with  location-specific hybrid production  strategies
• Investments in achieving operations excellence by companies will facilitate lowering the cost of organic food products
• In order to sustain consumer trust, maintaining an accurate audit stream, and preventing cross-contamination  with conventional  goods would  be crucial.
• Consumers should consume responsibly and stakeholders should prevent wastage along the supply chain.
• The Government must rope in agricultural scientists and international research institutions to develop organic herbicides.
• It is critical for companies involved in the  organic food  business to increase awareness among consumers  in non-metro  cities
• People across all income groups should have access to organic food.
• Establishing community-supported agricultural farms or with “grow your own food” programmes

Conclusion:

Organic agriculture is the  best insurance policy  that  India can have with better  performance  on productivity,  environmental  impact,  economic  viability and social well-being. Focusing only  on higher  yields at the expense of other  sustainability pillars (economics, environment  and society) is not  the food  production  system that India needs. What India needs is an integrated  system that gives equal importance  to  all sustainability dimensions across the value chain and thus helps establish a healthy and  well-fed society.

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ORGANIC FARMING

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• Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu underlined the importance of organic farming for sustainable and stable development. 
• In a world with the emergence of numerous diseases,  food safety is a major concern as well as a necessity.
• Extensive usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides stands as an impediment towards the maintenance of a proper health profile of the population.
• Therefore, the practice of organic farming opens up a  sustainable doorway to prevent various health hazards originating from the agro-based products that we consume .
• This would bring down the usage of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
• The road to transform the agricultural practices in India to absolutely an organic one, is accompanied by challenges that require expert intervention and a proper discussion.

About Organic Farming

• The  FAO defines organic farming as a unique production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.
• According to  FSSAI , ’organic farming’ is a  system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production without the use of synthetic external inputs such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms .
• Organic farm produce means the produce obtained from organic agriculture, while organic food means food products that have been produced in accordance with specified standards for organic production.

  Principles of Organic Farming in India

• Organic agriculture grows and develops with these principles. These can contribute to improving organic agriculture for the world.

There are four principles of organic farming are as follow:-

• Principles of Health – The health of the ecosystem, people, and communities.
• The Principles of Ecology – The right balance between ecosystem and environment or nature.
• Principles of Fairness – Good human relationships and quality of life.
• Principles of Care – The considerations about the environment and environment of the future.

Organic Farming in India

• India  ranked 1st in terms of the number of organic farmers and 5th in terms of certified organic area.
• India  ranks 8th in the world’s total organic agricultural land .
• There has been a  51% increase in the production of organic products in 2020-21 .
• So far,  Sikkim is the only state to be considered fully organic . Besides, the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir are ahead in the promotion and adoption of organic farming.
• North East India has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than the rest of the country.
• Similarly the  tribal and island territories have been traditionally practicing organic farming .
• The  major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.
• There was an  increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs. 5151 crore .
• Commencement of  exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Eswatini and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for health foods increases.

Important Government Initiatives

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the scheme.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana :  Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee
• One District - One Product: The programme aims to encourage more visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh, generating employment at the district level.
• National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm: Financial assistance is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azatobacter/Mycorrhiza and vermin-compost.
• The Organic Farming Action Programme :  The objective is to promote and significantly develop organic farming by means of priority measures
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the food regulator in the country and is also responsible for regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): PGS is a process of certifying organic products, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years. It is mainly for domestic purpose.
• National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) : NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third party certification for export purposes.
• Agri-export Policy 2018: Focus on clusters and Marketing and promotion of “Produce of India” have positively impacted the organic farming in India
• Zero Budget Natural Farming : is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.

Challenges in Organic Farming

• Shortage of Biomass: experts are not sure whether all the nutrients with the required quantities can be made available by the organic materials. Even if this problem can be surmounted, they are of the view that the available organic matter is not simply enough to meet the requirements
• Disparity of Supply and Demand: Non-perishable grains can be grown anywhere and transported to any location but this is not the case with fruits and vegetables.
• Time: organic farming requires greater interaction between a farmer and his crop for observation, timely intervention and weed control for instance.
• High MRP: It is almost obvious that due to the extreme care taken to go along with organic farming, the results would be kept at a high price.
• Lack of special infrastructure : Most large organic farms still operate in an industrialized agriculture style, including industrial transportation of the food from field to plate. Unfortunately, this involves the adoption of the same environmentally harmful practices as those of factory farms which are however hidden under the cover of being organic
• Marketing of organic produce is also not properly streamlined . There are a number of farms in India which have either never been chemically managed / cultivated or have converted back to organic farming because of farmers’ beliefs or purely for reason of economics.

Benefits of organic farming:

• Better Taste and More Nutrition :  This is due to the fact that they are given a much longer time to develop and are not pumped with artificial things.
• Reduces pesticide and chemical residue in soil :  ensures the health of soil, water, air and flora and fauna.
• Promotion of Biodiversity :  Crop rotation to build soil fertility and raising animals naturally helps promote biodiversity, which promotes greater health across all living species. As organic farms provide safe havens to wildlife, local ecosystems also improve.
• Consumes Less Energy :  This is because manufacturing synthetic fertilizers consumes a significant amount of energy.
• Long-term sustainability:  Organic farming takes a proactive, preventative approach instead of dealing with problems after they emerge which can be too late.
• Reduced erosion and better water management
• Familiarity with the techniques : Organic farming is like going back to the roots before mechanization hit the lands. Thus the farmers can easily understand and adapt to the techniques of organic farming that deploys traditional knowledge.

Way Forward- the avenues for future development

• Experts construe that the  upgrading of technology and empowering research in agriculture will provide an impetus to the development of organic farming.
• This would  assure income generation resulting in the  reduced dependence on external products.
• Therefore, the experts recommend  integrating the natural way in the farming system as nature stands out as the best model to be scaled and replicated by active collaboration with the international community and proper government interventions.
• This would be an enabler in  connecting organic farmers with the global supply chain .
• The experts envisaged a  roadmap to exploit the entire domestic market of organic products in a holistic manner.
• With  greater awareness and capacity building of the producers in compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global Agri-trade.
• India needs the  introduction of structural changes through policy interventions and technological deployment in organic farming and make it resilient, sustainable and profitable.
• Agricultural universities need to focus more on organic and natural farming and promote innovation and agri-entrepreneurship among the youth.

Agriculture is not just farmers’ concern, rather all of us are equal stakeholders in its development as food is a basic necessity for everyone.

Read: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/community-managed-natural-farming-apcnf

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Organic Farming vs. Natural Farming (ZBNF) – UPSC Environment Notes

Organic farming and natural farming are two distinct agricultural approaches that prioritize sustainability, environmental health, and the production of wholesome food. While both methods share common goals of minimizing synthetic inputs and promoting ecosystem balance, they diverge in their underlying philosophies and practices. Organic farming adheres to a set of regulated standards that prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), focusing instead on organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and pest management techniques. On the other hand, natural farming, inspired by traditional practices and principles of harmony with nature, emphasizes minimal intervention and harnessing natural processes to cultivate crops. Understanding the differences and nuances between these two methods is crucial for navigating the complex landscape of sustainable agriculture in the modern world.

Table of Contents

Similarities:

• Both organic and natural farming methods embody sustainable approaches to agriculture. 
• Their core aim is to cultivate chemical-free crops by abstaining from the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. 
• Additionally, they advocate for the utilization of indigenous seed varieties and plants, as well as non-chemical homemade pest control techniques.

Differences

• Natural farming is often described as “the natural way of farming” or “do-nothing farming,” emphasizing minimal intervention and allowing nature to take its course.
• Organic farming, on the other hand, is a comprehensive system aimed at optimizing the productivity of diverse communities, including plants and livestock, within the agroecosystem through holistic practices.
• Organic farming does not discourage fundamental practices such as plowing, tilling, applying bulk organic manures (such as compost and vermicompost), and weeding.
• In contrast, natural farming preserves the natural agroecosystem by avoiding practices like plowing, tilling of the soil, weeding, and the application of bulk organic manures.
• Organic farming can be capital-intensive due to the requirement for bulk organic manures, modified agroecosystems, and other inputs.
• Conversely, natural farming is extremely low-cost, with approaches like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) being almost zero-cost, relying on locally made preparations.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE ORGANIC FARMING:

Mission organic value chain development in the northeast region (movcd-ner):.

• MOVCD-NER, a Central Sector Scheme under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), was initiated in 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• It focuses on developing certified organic production in a value chain mode across states in the NorthEast Region, connecting growers with consumers and supporting the entire value chain’s development.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):

• Launched in 2015, PKVY is an integral component of the National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture’s Soil Health Management (NMSA-SHM).
• It promotes organic farming through cluster-based approaches in organic villages and facilitates Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.

Schemes for Certification:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates organic food in the domestic market and imports.
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certifies organic products during the transition period to “organic” and is primarily for domestic use.
• The National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) offers third-party certification for export purposes.

Soil Health Card Scheme:

• Implemented to enhance soil health, this scheme has reduced chemical fertilizer usage by 8-10% while increasing productivity by 5-6%.

Agri-export Policy:

• The focus on clusters and promotion of “Produce of India” has positively impacted organic farming, facilitating market access.

One District – One Product (ODOP) Programme:

• Aimed at promoting indigenous and specialized products/crafts from Uttar Pradesh, creating jobs at the district level, and achieving economies of scale for small farmers.

PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME):

• Launched as part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, this scheme aims to provide technology and credit support to small entrepreneurs entering new markets.

Zero Budget Natural Farming:

• A chemical-free agriculture method based on traditional Indian practices, emphasizing minimal input costs and locally sourced resources.

FAQs: Organic Farming vs Natural Farming

1-what are the core similarities between organic farming and natural farming.

A: Both organic and natural farming methods prioritize sustainability by avoiding synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. They also advocate for the use of indigenous seed varieties and homemade pest control methods.

2-How do organic and natural farming approaches differ?

A: Natural farming, often called “the natural way of farming” or “do-nothing farming,” involves minimal intervention, allowing nature to manage agricultural processes. Organic farming, however, is a comprehensive system aimed at optimizing productivity through holistic practices.

3-What are some key practices that distinguish organic farming from natural farming?

A: Organic farming does not discourage fundamental practices like plowing, tilling, and applying bulk organic manures, while natural farming avoids such practices to preserve the natural agroecosystem.

4-Are there cost differences between organic and natural farming?

A: Yes, organic farming can be capital-intensive due to the need for bulk organic manures and modified agroecosystems, while natural farming, especially approaches like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), is extremely low-cost, often relying on locally made preparations.

5-What government initiatives promote organic farming in India?

A: Initiatives like Mission Organic Value Chain Development in the NorthEast Region (MOVCD-NER) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) aim to develop certified organic production and support organic farming practices.

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ORGANIC FARMING

Introduction:.

Key characteristics of organic farming:

• It relies on traditional techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological. It is accomplished by using farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off farm inputs.
• It protects the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic Matter levels and encouraging soil biological activity. It often involves vermiculture and vermicomposting
• The biological processes, driven by mycorrhiza, allow the natural production of nutrients in soil throughout growing season.
• Legumes are planted to fix nitrogen into the soil. It allows nitrogen self-sufficiency through biological nitrogen fixation.
• It allows effective recycling of organic materials .
• Natural insect predators are encouraged which can be specific for certain pests or of broad-range.
• Crop Rotation supports a wider range of beneficial insects, soil micro-organisms, and hence, protects species from going extinct.
• A key characteristic of organic farming is the rejection of genetically engineered plants and animals.
• Hardier plants are generated through plant breeding rather than genetic engineering.

Advantages of organic farming over other forms of farming:

• It improves soil health and fertility.
• It requires careful use of water resources hence lead to conservation of water.
• Good animal husbandry
• Using natural pesticides (biological control)
• Recycled crop wastes
• Green manures and legumes
• Increasing genetic diversity
• Use of resistant crops increased employment
• Cost-effective farming
• Economical- In organic farming no expensive fertilizers, pesticides, HYV seeds are required for the plantation of crops. Therefore, no extra expense.
• Good return on Investment- With the usage of cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can make a good return on investment.
• High Demand– There is a huge demand for the organic product in India and across the globe, generating more income through export.
• Nutritional- As compared to chemical and fertilizer utilized products, organic products are more nutritional, tasty, and good for health.
• Environment-Friendly-The farming of organic product is free of chemical and fertilizers, so it doesn’t harm the environment.

Disadvantages of Organic Farming:

• Incompetent – The major issue of organic farming is the lack of Inadequate infrastructure and marketing of the product.
• Less production- The organic farming products are lesser in the initial years as compared to the chemical product. So, the farmers find it difficult to accommodate large scale production.
• Shorter shelf-life- Organic products have more flaws and shorter shelf life than the chemical product.
• Limited production- Off-season crops are limited and have fewer choices option in organic farming.

Types of Organic Farming

• Integrated organic farming
• Pure organic farming
• Pure organic farming means avoiding all unnatural chemicals. In this process of farming, all the fertilizer and pesticide are obtained from natural sources such as bone meal or blood meal.
• Integrated organic farming includes the integration of pest management and nutrients management to achieve ecological requirements and economic demands.

Lack of Awareness:

Output marketing problems:, shortage of bio-mass:, inadequate supporting infrastructure:, high input costs:, marketing problems of organic inputs:, low yields:, conclusion:.

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• Organic Farming Essay

An introduction to Essay on Organic Farming

Organic farming describes how it uses organic elements and composts and tries to expand soil richness by taking care of soil miniature existence with build-ups from life. For example, trash fertilizer, sewage, excrement, plant deposits, food handling squanders, etc. This essay on organic farming will help you to discover the parts and importance of organic farming. 

This article also deals with the advantages and barriers to it. The organic farming essay also explains the principles behind it and how it is different from the traditional farming technique. An essay on organic farming is essential because it helps us understand the advantages of organic farming and also tells us how the effect of normal farming is harmful.

Segments of Organic Farming

Segments of Organic Farming are discussed below in detail.

Organic Manures

Organic manure provides basic nutrients that are required by plants in limited edition. It is a natural practice adopted by farmers to provide food (plant nutrients) to crop plants. There are various organic manures that are used by farmers such as farm wastes, oilcakes, vermicompost, and biological waste - animal bone. 

Biological Pest Management

The preservation of regular pests is significant for evading the utilization of compound pesticides. Organic pesticides, for example, neem, tobacco and other restorative plants need promotion. Specific microbial pesticides, for instance, Bacillus Thuringiensis offer a guarantee. It is essential to have biological pest management to improve the quality of the soil.

Non-Chemical Weed Control 

Mechanical strategy for weed control is commonly polished to lessen the weed populace. Organic control of weed needs promotion. 

Agronomical Practices

Yield revolution, blended trimming, green manuring practices will improve the physical and compound properties of soil. Consideration of leguminous yields in these practices adds to the ripeness. 

Alley Cropping

Coordination of lasting plants (generally leguminous) in the cultivating framework is called backstreet trimming. 

Principles of Organic Farming

No Chemical Fertilizer

In the event that nature is left to itself, fruitfulness is expanded, organic remains from plants and creatures gather and are deteriorated on a superficial level by microbes and growths. Utilizing straw, green compost, and ranch yard excrement, one can get significant returns without substance manure. 

No Use of Herbicide

Straw mulch and impermanent flooding give successful weed control in numerous fields. 

No Use of Pesticides

The preservation of common adversaries of irritations and the utilization of organic pesticides stay away from the utilization of synthetic pesticides. 

Upkeep of Healthy Soil

Soil well-being is kept up by developing vegetables, green manuring, green leaf manuring, crop pivot, entomb, and blended editing, including vegetables.

Importance of Organic Farming Essay

It doesn't bring about any ecological contamination since it evades the utilization of substance and plant insurance synthetic compounds. 

Less energy is utilized in organic cultivating contrasted with ordinary horticulture.

Less motorization is required. 

Less unsettling influence of soil, legitimate structure, high organic issue substance will be kept up. 

Organic food gets more cost than the product acquired by regular strategies.

Threats to Organic Farming

In changing over to organic cultivating, an underlying harvest misfortune, by and large, happens, especially whenever done rapidly. 

Land assets can move unreservedly from organic cultivating to regular cultivating; they don't move the converse way openly. 

Organic controls may have been debilitated, which may take three or four years for deposits to misfortune their impact.

Short Essay On Organic Farming

Organic farming is an essential part of today’s world. Organic cultivating implies cultivating in the organic connection between soil, water, and plants; between soil, soil organisms, and side-effects. This also implies the connection between the plant realm and the collective of animals; among agribusiness and ranger service; between soil, water and environment. Nature receives diverse techniques to gracefully supplement the dirt and keep up the soil’s fruitfulness. The gracefulness of supplements is undisrupted in nature. The plant leaves produce carbs and later change these carbohydrates into sugar, starch, cellulose, lignin, and so on. 

Organic compost includes mixing carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash rich materials. The minor components are available in extent, and the pivotal carbon-nitrogen proportion is neither too high nor excessively low. This sort of arrangement is inside the capability of ranchers. There is no need to include some nitrogenous manure as a supplement. The nitrogenous substance compost agitates the supplement equalization of soil. Nitrogenous manure is known as an energizer of development, and there is furore for it among the ranchers. Organic farming has many benefits in today’s world and it is esteemed to be much more cautious than the traditional ways of farming. This method, when used, can improve the health of people and the richness of soil on which farming is done. The reliance on these methods is beneficial as they provide more nutritious crops and better nourishment.

Through organic farming, the fertility of soil gets improved. Organic movement and the physical and mineral nature of the dirt are contributing factors. Organic farming is preferred over other modes for this very reason.

FAQs on Organic Farming Essay

1. What is the focus of Organic Farming?

Organic creation of yields is fundamentally the same as normal creation for planting, gathering. Assortments are normally the equivalent. Ripeness, weeds and different nuisances should be overseen in a more serious manner. Harvest pivot and timing of mechanical development are basic to progress. The mix of animals, to help gracefully excrement/fertilizer supplements will likewise be an advantage. Consider joining a few of the natural cultivating affiliations, for example, Canadian Organic Growers (COG) or Ecological Farmers of Ontario (EFO) to build your organization of natural cultivating contacts particularly among other natural ranchers in your general vicinity. 

2. What are the six basic methods of Organic Farming Practices?

The six basic methods of Organic Farming practices are crop diversity, soil management, weed management, controlling other organisms, livestock and genetic modification. These different methods are used in organic farming to improve yield and make farming more efficient. Organic farming methods improve the yield by following traditional practices with new scientific technology.

3. How do students learn about the basics of Organic Farming?

Organic farming can be intimidating for beginners, and one can start little by little and then advance. Basics can be learnt through many sources and sites now available even online. Students can learn about the basics of Organic Farming if they go to Organic Farming Essay for Students in English available on this page. This essay deals with what Organic Farming essentially is and what its advantages, as well as disadvantages, amount to.