ORGANI FARMING:

India is one of the agricultural based Nations with more than two third of the population is directly or indirectly involved in agricultural sector. Currently, agriculture sector contributes about 14% -15%to India’s GDP. Since years, in India only traditional agriculture was followed without intervention of synthetic and chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In modern era it takes the form of organic agriculture which is the best alternative to chemical-led conventional agriculture. Due to its ill-effects on health of soil, environment and people, organic farming has been expanded rapidly in recent years and is seen as a Sustainable alternative to chemical-based agricultural systems .

Historical Background:

History states that the movement of organic agriculture as modern concept began at the beginning of 20^th century, primarily in Europe and later in United States, as the need to address the soil erosion and depletion , lack of Crop varieties and insufficient food quality increased during the time Mechanization of agriculture evolved quickly which drastically increased crop yield and made farming much affordable. In other words, the modern organic movement and industrialized agriculture began at the same time.

• The British botanist Sir Albert Howard(  in 1905) is often referred as the father of modern organic agriculture, documented traditional Indian farming practices conducted in Pusa of Bihar and came to regard them as superior to conventional agriculture science. He wrote his experiences in the book The Agriculture Testament. 1947 – Sir Albert Howard published “The Soil and Health, A Study of Organic Agriculture.” Thefirst book with  ‘organic agriculture/Farming as title.
• In Germany, in 1924 Rudolf Steiner ( Austrian philosopher) built biodynamic farming  which was probably the first comprehensive system of organic farming. Steiner emphasized the farmer’s role in  balancing the interaction of the animals, plants and soil. Healthy animals depended upon healthy plants (for their food), healthy plants upon healthy soil, healthy soil upon healthy animals (for the manure).His system was based on his philosophy of anthroposophy rather than a good understanding of science . To develop his system of farming, Steiner established an international research group called the Agricultural Experimental Circle of Anthroposophical Farmers and Gardeners of the General Anthroposophical Society.
• The term “organic farming” was coined by Lord Northbourne a British Agronomist  in his book Look to the Land (written in 1939, published 1940). From his conception of “The Farm as an Organism “, he described a holistic, ecologically balanced approach to farming.
• In Japan  1940 Masanobu Fukuoka, a microbiologist developed a model “Not-Till” organic farming and practiced and preached from 1940 for thirty years. His method is now called natural farming or Fukuoka Farming.

Ancient  history of Organic farming in India:

The Concept of organic agriculture is not new to India. Ithas been practiced in India for thousands of years. The great Indian civilization thrived on organic farming. In traditional India, the entire industry of agriculture was practiced using organic techniques, where the fertilizers and pesticides were obtained from plant and animal products. Although the term organic farming is getting popularity in recent times, but it was initiated in 10000 years back when ancient farmers started cultivation depending on natural sources only. There is brief mention of several organic inputs in our ancient literatures like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Kautilya Arthasashthra etc. In fact, organic agriculture has its roots in traditional agricultural practices that evolved in countless villages and farming communities

over the millennium. Organic farming was the backbone of the Indian economy

and cow’s dung was used as a fertilizer.

Organic Agriculture Movement in India After Independence:

Due to adverse effects of conventional farming on the land and Health , in the influence of Green Revolution after 1965 , both farmers and consumers were gradually shifted back to organic farming as it being a healthy way of farming.

Organic farming after 1947:

IFOAM:- Organics International is a NGO founded in 1972 in Germany as the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is the worldwide umbrella organisation for the global organic  agriculture movement & promoting for wider adoption of organic production. It is a true mission of today which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.

1973 – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) was founded In Switzerland. 1978 – Creation of FNAB, the National Federation of Organic Farming in France. 1980 – IFOAM defines the basic standards and regulations relating to the certification of organic agriculture.1983 – Austria becomes the first country to establish organic farming guidelines.1985 – Creation of the Agriculture Biologique (AB) mark, the logo for organic products. 1990 – Law on Organic Agriculture adopted in the United States. 1990 – Established the first fair of organic products BioFach (BIOFACH) in Germany.

After Economic Reforms 1991:

1991 – The European Union provides a legal framework for the designation of organic agriculture (No. 2092/91, revised in 1999, 834/2007 and 889/2008). 1997 – The first National Organic Program (NOP) is released by the USDA.1999 – Codex Alimentarius, a commission run by the UN’s World Health Organization and the

Latest initiative to promote organic Farming

Food and Agriculture Organization, sanctions international guidelines to cultivate, process, market, and label organic foods. 2000 – The JAS Standards for organic plants and organic processed foods of plant origin were established in Japan. 2002 – The United States of America adopts the National Organic Program (NOP), providing a development framework for organic agriculture..2004 – The European Commission adopted the first Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming.

Organic farming :- Concept & Definitions

 

Organic farming based on “Nature can provide for everyone’s need but not for greed“ –Mahatma Gandhi.

Modern concept & Definitions

Organic farming known as traditional agriculture, sustainable agriculture, Jaivik Krishi etc., are organic farming. In narrow meaning, the use of organic manures and natural methods of plant protection instead of using synthetic fertilisers/ pesticides are organic farming.

In Today’s, terminology ,organic farming is a method of farming system which primarily aims at cultivating the land and raising crops in a way, as to keep the soil  alive and in good health by use of organic  waste( crop, animal and farm waste, aquatic waste) and other biological materials with beneficial microbes (bio-fertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly and pollution-free environment.

IFOAM’s current definition of ‘organic agriculture’ is: “Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combine tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.”

As per the definition of the United States farming of agriculture (USDA) Study team on organic farming “Organic farming a system which avoids or largely explodes the use of synthetic Inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc. and to the maximum extent feasible rely upon animal manure, crop residues, crop rotation, of farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrients mobilization and plant protection.”

FAO suggested that “Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including Biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in Exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs”.

National Program on Organic Production (NPOP), India described organic agriculture in the following: “Organic agriculture is a system of farm design and management to create an eco-system which can achieve sustainable productivity without the use of artificial external inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides.”

Above definitions  implies that, organic farming is a system that relies on environmentally balanced agricultural policies such as crop rotation, green manure, organic waste, pest control, mineral additives, etc.

Organic farming takes the best old traditional methods and combine them with modern scientific knowledge of agriculture .It helps in the improvement of crop quality, reduces environmental pollution . It has showed it’s ability not only to produce safer commodities for consumers but also to produce bio-diversity at all levels.

Types of Organic farming

Pure organic farming

It involves the use of organic manures and bio pesticides with complete avoidance of inorganic chemicals and pesticides.

Integrated Organic Farming Systems

Pure organic farmers don’t want to use much or any technology in their work. This is different from integrated organic farming systems, which use all technology they can get to make their life easier and to make more food. But, they still don’t include some big amounts of chemicals or pesticides or something like that . Still inside organic rules. I

ntegrated organic farming

Integrated organic farming involves integrating techniques aimed at achieving ecological requirement and economic demands such as integrated pest management and nutrients management

Must watch video on Green Revolution 👇👇

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.

Characteristics of organic farming system

1.Protecting the long term fertility of soil by maintaining 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 news of  legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, also as effective recycling of organic  material  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 farming system on the wider environment and therefore the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

The four pillars of organic farming are:

1) Organic standards

2) Certification/Regulatory mechanism

3) Technology packages

4) Market network

Economic Aspect of Organic farming

  Worldwide

• According to latest survey data (FiBL & IFOAM) 2021, organic farming is developing rapidly worldwide & now practicing in 187 countries of the world and almost 72.3 million hectares of agriculture lands were managed organically by at least 3.1M farmers .
• The regions with the largest areas of organically managed agricultural land are

Oceania (35.9 million hectares), Europe (16.5 million hectares) and Latin

America ( 8.3 million hectares). The countries with the most organic agricultural land are Australia, Argentina and China.

• The global sales of organic food and drink has reached more than 106 billion Euros in 2019.
• Ocenia has largest organic agricultural land area of 35.9 M ha which is half of the world’s total organic agricultural land.

India’s Progress (Area, Production, Export)

• As we know India is a Agrobaesd economy. With the intoduction of organic farming movement organic farming land and organic agricultural  production and market is growing rapidly in India.
•  About 2.78 M ha of Farm land was under organic cultivation (as of March. 2020). India is home to 30%  of total organic producers in the world but used to account for just 2.59% (1.5 M ha) of the total organic cultivation area of 5.78 million  ha according to world of organic agriculture report 2018.
• Cultivable Land area under organic farmers has more than double from 11.83 lakh ha In 2014 to 38.09 lakh ha in ( July) 2021.With this, India became the largest organic producer in the globe.
• It also has world’s largest number of organic producers in the world with 1366226 in 2019 ( according to FiBL & IFOAM 2021)
• Madhya Pradesh is the state with most organic farmers (773902) followed by Uttarakhand, Rajasthan ,Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• According to ministry, India ranks 1^st  in the number of organic farmers and 9^th in the terms of area under organic farming. 
• In 2016, Sikkim is declared fully organic State of the world  with a cultivated area of 56,000 ha. and  other states are Tripura and Uttarakhand which has set the similar targets according to government.
• Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka has  country’s  largest  certified organic farming land.
• India produced approximately 3496800.34 MT (2020-21) of organic foods which includes all varieties of food products namely Sugarcane, Cotton, Oil Seeds, Basmati rice, cereals, Pulses, Spices, Tea, Fruits, Dry fruits, Vegetables, Coffee and their value added products, , aromatic and Medicinal plants etc.

• India exports its organic products to many countries like USA, Canada, The European Union, South Korea ,Japan, Israel Switzerland, Ecuador, Vietnam Australia etc. In FY 2017-18, India exported about 4.6 lakh metric tonnes to these countries.
• In terms of export value realization Processed foods including soya meal (57%) lead among the products followed by Oilseeds (9%), Cereals and millets (7%), Plantation crop products such as Tea and Coffee (6%), Spices and condiments (5%), Medicinal plants(5%), Dry fruits (3%), Sugar(3%), and others.

Percentage share of organic products in India

Types	Products
Commodity	Tea, coffee, rice, wheat
Spices	Cardamom, black pepper, white pepper, ginger, turmeric, vanilla, mustard,
	tamarind, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, chili
Pulses	Red gram, black gram
Fruits	Mango, banana, pineapple, passion fruit, sugarcane, orange, cashew nut,
	walnut
Vegetables	Okra, brinjal, garlic, onion, tomato, potato
Oil seeds	Mustard, Sesame, castor, sunflower
Others	Cotton, herbal extracts

State-wise  Major Crops grown Under Organic Farming  In India ( both certified and in-conversion)

State	Major Crops
Arunachal Pradesh	Maize/sorghum, Pulses, oilseeds, tea/coffee, herbal/ medicinal plants
Andhra Pradesh	Cotton, maize, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables
Assam	Tea/coffee, fruits and vegetables
Chhattisgarh	Rice, wheat, vegetables
Delhi	Wheat, vegetables
Gujarat	Cotton, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables
Haryana	Basmati rice, wheat, maize, vegetables
Himachal Pradesh	Wheat, fruits, vegetables
Jammu &Kashmir	Spices, fruits and vegetables
Karnataka	Cotton, rainfed wheat, maize, sorghum, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables
Kerala	Spices, vegetables, herbals
Manipur	Spices, vegetables, herbals
Maharashtra	Cotton, rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, spices, vegetables
Madhya Pradesh	Soybean, wheat, vegetables
Meghalaya	Spices, vegetables
Panjab	Basmati rice, wheat, vegetables
Sikkim	Maize, sorghum, vegetables, spices, herbs
Rajasthan	Cotton, wheat, seed spices, vegetables
Tamil Nadu	Tea, herbs, spices
Uttar Pradesh	Rice, wheat, maize, vegetables
Uttarakhand	Basmati rice, vegetables, maize, sorghum, herbs, spices
West Bengal	Tea and vegetables

ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING

1. It helps to maintain environment health by reducing the level of pollution.
2. It reduces human and animal health hazards by reducing the level of residues in the product.
3. It helps in keeping agricultural production at a sustainable level.
4. It reduces the cost of agricultural production and also improves the soil health.
5. It ensures optimum utilization of natural resources for short-term benefit and helps in conserving them for future generation.
6. It not only saves energy for both animal and machine, but also reduces risk of crop failure.
7. It improves the soil physical properties such as granulation, good tilth, good aeration, easy root penetration and improves water-holding capacity and reduces erosion.

It improves the soil’s chemical properties such as supply and retention of soil nutrients, reduces nutrient loss into water bodies and environment and promotes favourable chemical reactions

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA

•  National Project on organic farming( NPOF)
•  ICAR contribution in promoting organic farming
• National Horticulture Mission (NHM)
• Rashtriya krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY)
• Network Project on Organic farming of ICAR
• APEDA (Agriculture and Processed Food Development Export Autority)
• Participatory Organic guarantee System for Certification in   India  (PGS-India)
• Organic farming policy 2005
• MOVCDNER
• NPOP( National Program for Organic Production
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY)
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• UOCB(Uttarakhand organic commodity Board)
• Organic Agriculture Act (2019)
• Uttrakhand State Organic Agency (USOCA)

Since Jan 1994 ‘ Sevagram Declaration’  for promotion Of organic agriculture in India, organic farming has grown many times of initiative at government and non government level has given it uh firm direction. both central and state government has taken a number of steps to promote organic agriculture.

The Indian Government has realized the potential significance of Organic agriculture for the country and has recently started to support Organic agriculture on a large scale and on various levels. A national Regulatory framework (standards, accreditation regulations) has already been passed in 2000. There are various schemes and events to Support and facilitate exports of organic products (e.g. the large Conference ‘Indian Organic Products – Global Markets’ held in Delhi In December 2002, mainly sponsored by the Indian Government). The Ministry of Agriculture announced that various forms of support for Organic producers, processors and traders were to be included within the latest five-year plan.

1.Organic farming policy 2005

The Ministry of Agriculture’s organic farming policy 2005 was a initiative to promote organic farming, to Sustained soil fertility, conserve bio resources,  encourage  rural Economy promote ,Promote value addition, to speed up the growth of agro business and secure a fair standard of living for farmers and workers.

2.The national mission on sustainable agriculture (NMSA)

NMSA Launched in 2014 15 it was initiated as one of the 8 missions outline under national action plan on climate change (NAPCC). NAMS aims to promoting organic agriculture by making  it productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate- resilient By promoting local-specific integrated farming system, soil and moisture-conversion measure, soil-health management and efficient-water management practices as well as mainstreaming rainfed technologies. Besides,NMSA also committed a target to fulfil national and international commitments on sustainable development goal (SDG) and Intended nationally determined contribution.(INDC).

Sub schemes under NMSA

• Submission on agroforestry( SMAF) : SMAF is being implemented by  NRM Division.
• Paramparagat krishi Vikas Yojna( PKVY) :PKVY is being implemented by INM Division.
• Soil and Land Use Survey of India( SLUSI) : being implemented by INM division.
• National Rainfed Are Authority (NRAA) :Being implemented by RFS division .
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) :Being implemented by INM division.
• National centre of organic farming (NCOF) :being implemented by INM division.
• Central fertiliser quality control and training institute (CFQC&TI) :Being implemented by INM division.

3.Paramparagat Krishi vikas Yojna PKVY

PKVY is centrally sponsored scheme, launched in 2015 to promote organic farming in all States and union territories, specially hilly, tribal and rainfed areas proof cluster of 500 to 1000 hector. It is an extended form of SHM under NMSA . the fund distribution between the centre and state is 60% and 40% respectively. In case of north-eastern and Himalayan state, the  ratio is 90%:10% while centre assistant for union territories is 100%. within a cluster, a group of minimum of 20 farmers with a total of 20 hectare is considered a PKVY group. Till now total 40,000 clusters are being assisted under PKVY covering an area about 7 lakh ha with 1.49 mullion Farmers. PKVY promote organic agriculture through PGS certification.

 4. Participatory Organic guarantee System for Certification in   India  (PGS-India)

PGS-India Is a decentralized or comprehensive organization for certification system. According to International Federation of organic agriculture movement (IFOAM )PGS are locally focused quality certification system. PGS certify producers with active participation of stakeholders are built on, a foundation of trust social network and knowledge exchange. encouraged by PGS system run by civil society, the started pgs India certification in 2015 16. Now only this pgs is valid for certification.NCOF is the secretariat of PGS- India. Regional councils agencies r authorised 2 coordinate, maintain and monitor the certification process under PGS India certification. A pgs India organic certificate is given to farmers who have fulfilled all pgs India standard requirements, while in conversion products are labelled as PGS India green.

 5.  Mission Organic Value Chain Development For Northeast   Region (MOVCDNER)

MOVCDNER was adopted in 2015-16. It aimed to link organic growers with consumers and support the development of entire value chain targeting on screen rotation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and branding. It initiated with annual budget of ₹112 crore and till (2019) ₹645 crore had been allocated .₹175 crore has planned for 2020-21. MOVCDNER has considered a good step that organised the logistical problems of 8 northeast Indian states and highlighted them from the ground level. Sikkim is not facing these problems because of government full support.

Key Schemes budget  Estimates

Organic Farming scheme	2019-20 revised estimates( Rs crore)	2020-21 budget Estimate(Rs crore)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna	299.4	500
Mission Organic Value Chain
Development for North-east Region	160	175
(MOVCDNER)
National Project on Organic farming (NPOF)	20	12.5

6.  National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) 

Under this scheme, assistance @ Rs.500 per ha for promoting use of Integrated Nutrient Management-Organic Manures is provided

 7 .National project on organic farming (NPOF)

NPOF was adopted in 2004 to encourage the production and use of organic and biological sources of nutrients and alternative bio pesticide for sustained soil health and fertility. It was implemented through NCOF. Under NPOF scheme, financial assistance is provided upto 33% of the total cost of project upto Rs. 60.00 lakh per unit and upto 25% of the total cost of project upto Rs. 40.00 lakh per unit, as credit linked back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up of fruit/vegetable waste/agro-waste compost unit and bio-fertilizer/bio-pesticides production units respectively. NPOF is being implemented through the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) at Ghaziabad and six Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOF) at Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Hisar, Jabalpur, Imphal and Nagpur. Under it, a total of 56 bio-fertilizer production units and 17of fruit/vegetables waste compost units have been established in the country. Govt. has been encouraging integrated use of chemical fertilizers and organic manure including bio-fertilizer for increasing production of major Crops. The main issue of the scheme is to provide availability of standardized organic inputs of good quality to farmers at reasonable prices.

   8.National Canter of Organic Farming (NCOF)

NCOF is a act as nodal quality-control laboratory for analysis of bio-fertilizers. It also maintains national and regional culture collection Bank of biofertilizers, biocontrol agent and waste decomposes organisms for supply production units As well as 4 development, procurement and efficient evaluation  of bio-fertilizer stains  and mother cultures. The standards of  biofertilizer and organic fertilizers are notified under the fertiliser (control) order 1985.According to 2015-16 Parliamentary committee of estimates, India required 0.43 million MT carrier-based biofertilizers and 710 million MT organic manure.

 9. National program for organic production (NPOP)

NPOP Started in 2001. It was a quality assurance initiative that implemented certification programs and provided an  institutional mechanism for accreditation of certification agencies. under this program third-party certified products can be exported as well as sold in the domestic market. Some key issues of the scheme which include expensive certification process which lead to high priced-products in market, limiting the popularity of the organic products.

10. Food safety and standards organic food regulation 2017

it regulates that no person shell manufacturer, pack, sell, offer for sell, market or import any organic food provided they fulfill the conditions laid down under these regulations. effectively, no food product can be sold as organic if it does not have NPOP or PGS-India certification.

11.National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

Under NHM, financial assistance is provided @50% of cost subject to maximum of Rs.10,000/- per hectare limited to hectare per beneficiary for organic cultivation of horticultural crops. Assistance is also being provided for setting up of vermicompost units @50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary. Besides, assistance is being provided for organic farming certification @Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectare. Similar assistance is also provided under the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH).

12.Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna

 RKVY is a State level scheme launched in 2007-08 which give flexibility and     autonomy to the States in planning, selecting and executing projects in agriculture and allied sectors as per their priorities and agro-climatic situation. Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee.

 13.National food security Mission

Under National Food security Mission (NFSM) on Pulses, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (AAP), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium culture/Phosphate solubilising bacteria is provided to the farmers under  cluster demonstration.

14.Promoting the use of Bio-fertilizers

Central Govt has notified bio-fertilizer like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter , PSB, KMB, Zinc Solubilizing bacteria under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO). Similarly under initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria/Azotobacter culture is provided to the farmers as part of technology demonstration. Further, under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial of Rs 500 per hectare is provided to promote use of organic manure.

1. ICAR contribution in promoting organic farming

In order to promote organic farming in the country, the council has developed technology for preparation of enriched / vermicompost from various rural and urban waste. Besides, improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and oil types are being developed under Network Project on Biofertilizers. The ICAR also imparts training, organizes frontline demonstrations etc. to educate farmers on these aspects. ICAR during 10th plan, initiated a Network Project on Organic Farming with lead centre at Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram with the objective of developing package of practices of difference crops and cropping systems under organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country. The project is running on 13 cooperating centres, spread over 12 states and is still continuing.

16 .Agricultural and Processed Food Development Export Authority (APEDA)

To provide a focused and well directed development of organic agriculture and quality products, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Indi launched the National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) in the year 2000, which was formally notified in October, 2001 under the Foreign Trade & Development Act (FTDR Act). Regulatory body of NPOP under FTDR act is Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Ministry of Commerce. As a Secretariat to NPOP, the various activities of APEDA involved in the implementation of NPOP are:

• Updating the national standards for organic production.
• Evaluation of Certification bodies for accreditation.
• Accreditation of Certification Bodies.
• Surveillance of Certification Bodies to maintenance of uniform system of operations as per ISO 65.
• Bilateral negotiations with the importing countries for recognition of equivalence
• Data Management for Organic Products through web – based traceability system for enhancing the credibility of certification system has been developed and expected to be implemented by March 2010.
• All other activities related to implementation of NPOP (conveying to
• National Steering Committee (NSC), National Accreditation Body (NAB) and Technical Committee (TC).

 UTTARAKHAND POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

In Organic farming,  Uttrakhand  is one of the leading states of India. The state also has a large number of certified organic farmers  who are supported by the promotion of organic farming and with the help of well developed organisational structure for  marketing of organic crop products. The scope of organic farming in Uttrakhand is very bright as farmers use traditional methods of farming  i.e. Rainfed agriculture , without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Currently, with the support of farmers ,Uttrakhand Govt is constantly taking active steps towards the target of ‘ fully Organic State ‘and with it,increase organic production . To achieve this, Govt taking various initiatives.

1.Organic Agriculture Act (2019)

The Govt of the Uttarakhand has introduced India’s first Organic Agriculture Act (2019). The Uttarakhand Govt has approved the Act for promoting prospects and scope of organic agriculture. Through this initiative, Govt has taken official steps towards turning the state fully organic.

2.UTTARAKHAND ORGANIC COMMODITY BOARD (UOCB)

Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB) operates as the nodal agency for organics in the state. It came into existence on 19^th May, 2003.The board was registered under the societies, registration act, 1860 and is acting as the nodal agency to enhance organic activities in agriculture and allied sectors like horticultures, medicinal and aromatic plants and herbs, milk production  and animal  husbandry across the state. UOCB has trained and experience personnels for the production, quality control, marketing and rural development. UOCB plays important role in raising awareness among farmers about the benefits and importance of organic agriculture in Uttarakhand.

3 .UTTARAKHAND STATE ORGANIC AGENCY (USOCA)

The state set up the Uttrakhand state organic certificate agency which is an initiative to provide quality control through certification locally to bringing down cost. farmers federation &  producer Groups, sizable efforts have been put to develop and strengthen the rural institution that plays large role in the market interface, brand visibility as well as implementation of different regimes required for organics like the ICS.

LIST OF CERTIFYING AGENCY IN INDIA  WHO PROVIDE  ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

• Bureau Veritas Certification India (BVCI) Pvt. Ltd.
• Indian Organic Certification Agency (INDOCERT)
• ECOCERT India Pvt. Ltd.
• Lacon Quality Certification Pvt. Ltd.
• IMO Control Pvt. Ltd.
• OneCare Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd.
• SGS India Pvt. Ltd.
• APOF Organic Certification Agency (AOCA)
• Control Union Certification
• Rajasthan Organic Certification Agency
• Uttarakhand State Organic Certification Agency (USOCA)
• Vedic Organic Certification Agency
• ISCOP (Indian Society for Certification of Organic Products)
• Chhattisgarh Certification Society, India (CGCERT)
• Food Cert India Pvt. Ltd
• Tamil Nadu Organic Certification Department (TNOCD)
• Aditi Organic Certifications Pvt. Ltd
•  Intertek India Pvt. Ltd.
• Madhya Pradesh State Organic Certification Agency (MPSOCA)
• Natural Organic Certification Agro Pvt. Ltd.(NOCA)
• Odisha State Organic Certification Agency (OSOCA)
• Gujarat Organic Products Certification Agency (GOPCA)
• Uttar Pradesh State Organic Certification Agency(UPSOCA)
• Biocert India Pvt. Ltd.

SOME ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SYSTEM IN INDIA

Organic Farming is a method of farming system which primarily aims at cultivation of 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 waste, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with the beneficial microbed (biofertilisers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in a eco-friendly and pollution free environment.

 Prevailing systems of Organic Farming in India are Vedic Krishi, Zero Budget Natural Farming, Organic Farming, Biodynamic Agriculture, Yogic Agriculture, Homa Farming, Natueco Farming, Permaculture, The One-Straw Revolution.

Vedic Krishi

Vedic Krishi is to re-enliven Natural Law in agriculutre , bringing farmer, the process of farming and the environment in complete harmony with each other. Natural Law is the unseen intelligence of nature the upholds and nourishes all life.

Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a concept which promote organic farming without the off farm or market oriented inputs with the ecological friendly techniques under which is based on four basic inputs these are :- i) Beejarmruit , ii) Jeevamrut,  iii)Aacchadana (Mulching) and iv) Waaphasa (Aeration).

Biodynamic Agriculture

Biodynamic Agriculture is a method of Farming to treat the farm as a living system which interacts the environment, to build healthy, living soil and produces food that nourishes and vitalizes humankind. In this system energies from cosmos, mother earth, mother cows and plants are systematically and synergistically bathnessed. The principle of biodynamic is making life giving compost our of dead material. Till now nine (9) biodynamic preparations have been developed named as formulation BD 500-508.

Yogi Agriculture

Yogic Agriculture or “Sashwat yoga Kheti”/ Gou Mata Kheti/ Vaishnav kheti, Ahinsa farming, Adhvoot Shivanand farming, and rishi krishi are the other names. This is a process that includes seed empowerment (through mediation), mind and heart development of farmer (through mediation) and integrated organic farming (through cow products, crop rotation and integrated pest management).

Homa Farming

Homa Farming has its origin from Vedas and is based on the principle that “you heal the atmosphere and healed atmosphere will heal you”. The basic aspect of homa farming is the chanting of Sanskrit mantras (Agnihotra puja) as specific times in the day before a holy fire. No specific agricultural practice associated with homa farming. The ash that result from puja is used to energies composts, plants, animals etc.

Natueco Farming

Natueco farming emphasis ‘Neighbourhood Resource Enrichment’ by additive Regeneration’ rather than through dependence on external commercial inputs. The three relevant of Natueco farming are Soil enrichment of soil by recycling of the biomass by establishing a proper energy chain. Roots Development and maintenance of white feeder root zone for efficient absorption of nutrients. Canopy Harvesting the sun through proper canopy management for efficient photosynthesis. amrit Jal, Amrit Mitti and Ganggamma Chakra/ or Mandal are used in this system.

Permaculture

Permaculture is a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture of horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem. An innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere. Permaculture is a word orginally coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren In the mid 1970’s to describe and “integrated evolving system of perennial or Self perpeluating plant and animal species useful to man”.

The One-Straw Revolution

“Fukuoka’s do-nothing approach to farming is not only revolutionary in terms of growing food, but it is also applicable to other aspects of living, (Creativity, childrearing, activism, career, etc.). He found ways that food could be grown in a non-polluting, sustainable manner. After a number of years, he had rebuilt the soil on his family farm and proved that he could equal or better the yields of the “Petroleum farmers” with his no chemical, lazy man’s way of natural farming.

PROCESS OF ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA (NCOF)

Growing Crops Under Organic Management

What is the Organic Farming Management:-

Organic farming management is an integrated approach, where all aspects of farming systems are interlinked with each other and work for each other. A healthy biologically active soil is the source of crop nutrition, on-farm biodiversity controls pests, crop rotation and multiple cropping maintains the system’s health and on-farm resource management with integration of cattle ensure productivity and sustainability. Organic management stresses on optimization of resource use and productivity, rather than maximization of productivity and over exploitation of resources on the cost of resources meant for future generations.

Organic management Principles :

A living soil is the basis of organic farming. A live, healthy soil with proper cropping patterns, crop residue management and effective crop rotation can sustain optimum productivity over the years, without any loss in fertility. Organic farming envisages a comprehensive management approach to improve soil health, the ecosystem of the region and the quality of produce. It aims to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and environment. A living soil can be maintained by continuous incorporation of crop and weed biomass, use of animal dung, urine-based manures (FYM, NADEP, vermicompost), biofertilisers and bioenhancers, special liquid formulations (like vermiwash, compost tea etc.) during a crop’s duration.

The compost can be further improve by incorporation of biofertilisers, microbial inoculants, etc. Special composts like biodynamic compost, cowpat pit compost, biodynamic preparations such as BD-500 and BD-501, special formulations like Panchgavya, Dashgavya, Biosol etc. are also useful and maintain optimum productivity.

IMPORTANT STEPS

During turning towards organic it is essential that the some basic requirements of the system and the area are properly managed. To solving the agriculture problems of most of area of country like-

• Poor Soil health
• Low productivity
• Shortage of water supply
• Increasing temperature
• Cost-Intensive farming with low returns

To address these issues ,there is need to develop a system which is not only productive and low cost but also resource conserving and sustainable for long time.

Following parameters should be followed in first stage

1. Enrichment of soil – Abandon use of chemicals, use crop residue as mulch,

use organic and biological fertilizers, adopt crop rotation and multiple cropping,

avoid excessive tilling and keep soil covered with green cover or biological

mulch.

2. Management of temperature – Keep soil covered, Plant trees and bushes on

bund

3. Conservation of soil and rain water – Dig percolation tanks, maintain contour

bunds in sloppy land & adopt contour row cultivation, dig farm ponds, maintain

low height plantation on bunds.

4. Harvesting of sun energy – Maintain green stand throughout the year through combination of different crops and plantation schedules.

5. Self reliance in inputs – develop your own seed, on-farm production of

compost, vermicompost, vermiwash, liquid manures and botanical extracts.

6. Maintenance of life forms – Develop habitat for sustenance of life forms,

never use pesticides and create enough diversity.

7. Integration of animals – Animals are important components of organic

management and not only provide animal products but also provide enough

dung and urine for use in soil.

8. Use of renewable energy – Use solar energy, bio-gas and bullock driven

pumps, generator and other machine.

Developing organic farm

As organic management is an integrated approach, manipulation and adoption of one or few steps may not yield significant results. For optimization of productivity all the essential components need to be developed in a systematic manner. These steps include:

• Habitat development and farm infrastructure.
• on-farm facilities for input production
• cropping sequence and combination planning,
• Development of agriculture biodiversity to all life forms
•  3-4 year rotation plan and
• growing of crops suiting to the region, soil and climate.

Conversion of Soil to Organic

Soil management – Soil management is the primary technique of organic farming in India. After cultivation, soil loses its nutrients, and its fertilizer goes down. The process in which soil is recharging with all the necessary nutrients called soil management. 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. Soil Management is first in the organic farming methods list.

  Banning of chemicals- Some biological processes of  plants which involved  consisting nutrients such as nitrogen e.g. N2 fixation are generally inhibited by adding Nitrogen fertilizer. Soil scientists generally caution against non-judicious fertilizer use and encourage use of organic compost otherwise it may lead to deficiency of micronutrients. Therefore in organic farming systems there is no place for chemicals.

Low input alternative – In first year simultaneously sow three different types of legumes in strips, first of 60 days (like moong), second of 90-120 days (Cow pea or soybean) and third of more than 120 days (red gram) in strips. Apply mixture of Compost and vermicompost (2:1) about 2.5 ton per acre enriched with 4 kg Azotobacter and 4 kg PSB biofertilizers at the time of sowing preferably in furrows below the seeds. Seeds of legumes should be treated with crop specific strains of Rhizobium biofertilizer. Mulch the entire surface with a thick layer of biological mulch and drench the biomass with Jivamrut  200 lit per acre. Seedlings will emerge from this layer. If soil is poor in phosphorus then apply 300 kg of low grade mineral rock-phosphate along with the compost. Apply second dose of Jivamrut after 25-30 days of sowing with irrigation water or during rains.

To add to diversity 100 plants/ acre of marigold or Hibiscus subdarifa or any other suitable plant effective as trap crop/plant may be planted randomly through out the field. Few seedlings of vegetables such as chillies, tomato, brinjal, etc. and rhizomes of turmeric, ginger etc. can be planted randomly for home consumption.

Harvest the pods/ fruits and use remaining biomass for mulch. Collect the crop biomass at the end of strips in the form of heaps and drench with Jivamrut. Sow short duration leafy vegetables (such as fenugreek or spinach) in the space vacated by the first and second crop and mulch the surface with treated biomass. Harvest leafy vegetable and grains and incorporate remaining biomass in the soil at appropriate time.

In next season apply compost-vermicompost mixture 2.5 ton/ha and sow cereal crop with legume as inter or companion crop. After harvest use entire legume and remaining part of cereal crop as mulch. If irrigation facilities are there, take summer legume with some vegetable crop. Recycle entire residue as mulch. Use 3-4 application of liquid manure (such as Jivamruta) during each cropping season for soil application. Now the soil is ready for high value horticultural crops.

Crop Production Management :

Mix Cropping: Mix cropping is an important feature of organic farming in which variety of crops are grown simultaneously or at different time on the same land. In every season Care should be taken to maintain legume cropping at least 40%. Mix cropping Promotes photosynthesis and avoids the competition for nutrients because Different plants draw their nutrients from different depth of soil. The legume fixes Atmospheric nitrogen and make available for companion or succeeding crops. Deep rooted plants drew nutrient from deeper layer of soil and  bring them to the surface of soil through their leaf fall. So the nutrients leached down to lower strata are further brought back to upper layer by these deep rooted plants. Also help in protecting soil from soil erosion. Farmers should select the crops combination according to their needs and season. In selecting crop combinations, it is also to be kept in mind that plants also have their feelings, likes and dislike e.g. maize gets along well with beans and cucumber, tomatoes go well with onions and marigold. On the other hand beans and onions do not go well with each other. Entire farm should have at least 8-10 types of crops at all the times. Each field/ plot should have at least 2-4 types of crops out of which one should be legume. In case if only one crop is taken in one plot then adjacent plots should have different crops. For maintenance of diversity and pest control randomly plant 50-150/acre vegetable seedlings for home consumption and 100 plants/acre of marigold (Genda) in all crop fields.

Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the succession of different crops cultivated on same land . Crop rotation is the back bone of organic farming practices. To keep the soil Healthy and to allow the natural microbial systems working, crop rotation is must.. Follow 3-4 years rotation plan. All high nutrient demanding crops should precede and Follow legume dominated crop combination. Rotation of pest host and non pest Host crops helps in controlling soil borne diseases and pest. It also helps in Controlling weeds. It is better for improving productivity and fertility of soil. Crop Rotations help in improving soil structure through different types of root system. Legumes should be used frequently in rotation with cereal and vegetable crops.

Green manure crops should also find place in planning rotations. High nutrient

Demanding crops should always be followed by legume crops and returned back

To soil.

Some important benefits of crop rotations are:

1. Not all plants have same nutritive needs
2. Soil structure is improved through different types of roots
3. Pest build up is avoided and
4. Rotations help against the build up of weeds.

Under Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF of ICAR) important cropping

Systems, which were found economically better compared to conventional system

at different experimental places in the country are as follows:

• Soybean – Berseem/ Mustard/ chickpea at Raipur, Chattisgarh
• Tomato/ Cabbage – cauliflower – pea and maize – garlic at Bajaura,

Himachal Pradesh

• Rice – wheat/ potato/ mustard/ lentil at Ranchi, Jharkhand
• Groundnut – rabi Sorghum, soybean – durum wheat, potato – chick pea,

          Chillily+ Cotton and maize – chick pea at Dharwad, Karnataka

• Soybean – durum wheat/ mustard/ chick pea/ isabgol at Bhopal, M.P.
• Rice – durum wheat/ berseem, rice – potato – Okra and rice – garlic,

         Sorghum – berseem, maize – berseem – maize + cowpea and sorghum

         + cluster bean – oats-cowpea at Ludhiana, Punjab

• Maize – cotton, chillies – onion and brinjal – sunflower at Coimbatore
• Sorghum – pea – okra at Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh

• Carrot/ rice (pre kharif) – rice (kharif), potato/rice (pre kharif) – rice

      (kharif), tomato/ rice (pre kharif) – rice (kharif), French bean/ rice (pre

         Kharif) – rice (kharif) at Umiam, Meghalaya

Status of rich and live organic Soil

A fertile and live organic soil ideally should have organic C between 0.8-1.5%. At any point of time it should have adequate quantity of dry, semi decomposed and fully decomposed organic matter for the use of micro-flora and fauna. Total microbial load (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) should be above 1 x 108 /gm of soil. There should be at least 3-5 earth worms/cubic ft of soil. There should be enough quantity of small life forms and insects such as ants etc.

Manuring and soil enrichment

During conversion period, soil fertility can be improved and maintained initially through use of organic inputs like well decomposed organic manure/ vermicompost, green manure and biofertilizers in appropriate quantity. These organic inputs are used for feeding the soil. Well fed healthy soil rich in microflora and microfauna takes care of the crop nutrient requirement. Plant biomass, FYM, Cattle dung manure, enriched compost, biodynamic compost, Cow-pat-pit compost and vermicompost are key sources of on-farm inputs. Among off-farm inputs, important components are non-edible oil cakes, poultry manure, biofertilizers, mineral grade rock phosphate and lime etc. Lopping from Glyricidia and other plants grown on bunds, on-farm produced compost and vermicompost, animal dung and urine and crop residue should form the major source of nutrient and concentrated manures such as crushed oil cakes, poultry manure, vegetable market waste compost and other novel preparations such as biodynamic formulations etc. can be used in appropriate quantity. Use of high quantities of manures should be avoided. Changing crop rotations and multiple crops ensure better utilization of resources. Depending upon the type of crop and requirement of nutrients for different crops, the quantity of externally produced inputs is determined.

Application of liquid manure (for soil enrichment) is essential to maintain the activity of microorganisms and other life forms in the soil. 3-4 applications of liquid manure is essential for all types of crops. Vermiwash, compost tea, cow urine, Pachgavya and Biosol etc. are excellent growth promoters when used as foliar spray. 3-5 sprays after 25-30 days of sowing ensure good productivity. Use of Biodynamic preparations, such as BD-500 and BD-501 as foliar spray has also been found to be effective in growth promotion ensured at all time.

The following products are permitted for use in manuring/soil conditioning in organic fields:-

• Farm yard manure, slurry, green manures, crop residues, straw and other mulches from own farm
• Saw dust, wood shaving from untreated wood
• Calcium chloride, lime stone, gypsum and chalk
• Magnesium rock
• Sodium chloride
• Bacterial preparations (Bio-fertilisers), e.g. azospirillum, rhizobium
•  Bio-dynamic preparations
•  Plant preparation and extracts, e.g. neem cake
•  Vermicompost

Article By -: Team Kalyan Institute

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