INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the primary source of food for India's rapidly expanding population, accounting for 67 percent of the population and 55 percent of the total workforce. To reach a double-digit GDP growth rate in India, it has been projected that an agricultural growth of roughly 4% is necessary. India's economy relies heavily on agriculture. Many of the country's agricultural land has been converted to non-farming purposes despite its high growth potential. Investment possibilities are still available in the sector, as demand for high-quality and value-added products continues to grow.
Environmentally-friendly production methods that support biodiversity, as well as soil microbial activity, are called organic. According to USDA standards, "ecological harmony" is achieved by minimum use of off-farm inputs as well as management approaches that restore, maintain, and increase "ecological harmony" on the farm.
Here, it is worth noting that in the manufacture and marketing of organically produced agricultural products, quality criteria must be met, but this is not the case with the product itself. Instead, the emphasis is on the finished product's quality when it comes to manufacturing and marketing most industrial goods.
Pesticide residues in food, eutrophication of surface and groundwater, and an increase in nitric oxide emissions that disrupt the ozone layer are just a few of the problems that have prompted environmentalists to call for a more sustainable approach to farming in recent years.
Organic farming should be given a boost in rain-fed areas and in the northeastern states where fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals are not widely used, according to a steering group created by the task force on organic farming of the ministry of agriculture and cooperation. Organic states have already been established in Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Sikkim. However, these places are by definition organic. There are roughly0.5 million acres in Maharashtra alone. Organic farming is not going to be helpful in any way. To be able to sell organic goods at a premium price, it is essential to get the correct certification.
MD BIOCOALS is spreading awareness about Organic Farming farmer to farmer village to village across the nation
Organic farming
Over the past few decades, farming and food marketing has undergone a dramatic shift in perspective. Today, rather than relying solely on the seasons and the environment of a location, the "market" dictates what crops should be planted and when. There is a shift in emphasis from"vitality" to "quantity" and "outer" quality (presentation) in the food industry. A considerable increase in numerous diseases, notably various types of cancer and decreased bodily immunity, has been caused by pesticide and other chemical residues in food and an overall decrease in the quality of food.
Agriculture's commercialization has had a devastating impact on the environment, as well. Pesticide use has resulted in a massive buildup of chemicals in our environment, including soil, water, air, animals, and even our bodies. In the short term, fertilizer has an impact on productivity, but in the long term, it harms the environment, which is contaminated for years after leaching and running off. There is a serious threat to local and indigenous variations because of the use of hybrid seeds and the practice of monoculture."Productivity" is the reason for all of this.
We've taken a wrong turn in our efforts to feed the world in the name of growth. Farmers are taking their own lives in increasing numbers as a result of pesticide use; a government-owned plantation in Kerala, India, used pesticides on a large scale several years ago; and bottled water and aerated beverages have been found to be polluted with pesticides. Many people are still underfed and the food they eat has the potential to kill them even when they are nourished. Rarely do stories like these make headlines. According to companies and governments, the future is a bright one. This is in contrast to reality.
The finances of farming communities around the world have taken a hit as a result of this tendency. However, despite the alleged rise in production, farmers in nearly every country have seen their incomes plummet. Large, multi-national food companies, particularly those that deal in foodgrains, appear to be the only ones to benefit from this new perspective on food and agricultural production: agrochemical companies, seed companies, and -though unrelated to agricultural chemistry but part of the "big money syndrome" responsible for farmers' difficulties - these companies.
Organic farming comes into play here. All of these issues can be addressed by organic farming. Farmers who practice organic farming benefit immensely from their ability to become more self-sufficient in their agro-input needs and lower their costs, as well as from the immediate environment and food quality benefits.
There is a symbiotic relationship between agricultural and food distribution systems and chemical agriculture that affects each of us in various ways.
25 years back when no one knew about Organic Farming then MD BIOCOALS has decided to spread awareness across the country. And the journey still goes on. To know more about "Organic Farming in India" you can call our Helpline or Toll-Free Number: +91 94160 47627
Organic farming adheres to a fundamental principle:
In organic farming, the following are the most important principles:
Organic farming is based on four pillars, which are:
India's rural economy is based on organic farming.
Increasing food insecurity in India can be alleviated by the use of organic farming in the rural economy. There has been a shortage of farmland in rural India as a result of the country's fast industrialization. As the Indian population continues to rise at an exponential rate, the demand for food sufficiency is becoming more and more urgent. There's also a danger to human health and the natural environment from the abuse of pesticides and fertilizers in the production of food crops. India's rural economy could benefit from organic farming as a possible solution to this challenge. Introducing organic farming to the Indian rural economy is a relatively recent development. Organic farming in India's rural economy has been accelerated by the outcry over the abuse of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. As part of organic farming, natural and decomposable matter is utilized for crop growth and disease resistance. Organic farming has a long history in India, going back at least 10,000 years, and is mentioned in a slew of ancient Indian texts.
A primary source of income in India, agriculture has historically relied on the usage of naturally occurring substances for better productivity and disease resistance, as well as pest management. Preservatives and pesticides made from cow dungs, oil cakes, and neem leaves are still widely used in India. From the 1850s onward, the usage of chemical fertilizer for greater productivity began. The first usage of chemical fertilizer in India'sagriculture began in 1906, according to the National Agricultural StatisticsService (Table 1).
Farming organically in rural India offers the following advantages to the economy:
The following are the Indian states that participate in organic farming:
- Organic Farming in Gujarat
- Organic Farming in Kerala
- Organic Farming in Karnataka
- Organic Farming in Uttaranchal
- Organic Farming in Sikkim
- Organic Farming in Rajasthan
- Organic Farming in Maharashtra
- Organic Farming in Tamil Nadu
- Organic Farming in Madhya Pradesh.
- Organic Farming in Himachal Pradesh.
India's organic farming
In India, organic gardening has been practiced for millennia. Organic farming was the backbone of ancient Indian culture, which was one of the world's wealthiest nations until the British Empire took over.
Traditional Indian agriculture relied only on plant and animal products for fertilizers, pesticides, and other necessities. The Indian economy relied heavily on organic farming, and the cow was revered as a deity. Additionally, the cow gave bulls for farming and excrement that could be utilized as fertilizers whereas MD BIOCOALS is consistently making efforts for Organic Farming.
Farming began to use chemicals in the 1960s.
In the early 50s and 60s, India's rapidly expanding population and many natural disasters combined to create a serious food shortage. Foodgrains had to be imported from abroad as a result. The government had to dramatically enhance food production in India to improve food security. In the1960s, the green revolution (led by M. S. Swaminathan) was the most major government program. A large area of land was turned over to agriculture. Introduced were hybrid seeds. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides took the role of organic and locally produced fertilizers and organic and chemical pesticides. There were numerous chemical factories, such as the RashtriyaChemical Fertilizers.
Millions of Indians were expected to starve to death in the1970s before the green revolution. The green revolution, on the other hand, began to have an effect within a few years. Imports, which had been a major source of the country's food supply, have steadily decreased during the last few decades. In the 1990s, India was once again a major exporter of food grains due to a surplus of grain.
The darker aspect of chemical farming has come to light over time. It is becoming increasingly necessary to apply more fertilizer to compensate for the land's decreasing fertility. Pests are growing more resistant, necessitating the use of more potent and expensive pesticides by farmers. Farmers are being exploited to the hilt by predatory lenders as the cost of farming rises, leading many to take their own lives.
In India, both farmers and consumers are gradually returning to organic farming. Many people believe that organic farming is more beneficial to their health than conventional farming. Customers are willing to pay a greater price for organic food even though its health benefits have not yet been proven. Organic food is in high demand both domestically and abroad, and this is prompting many Indian farmers to make the switch to organic cultivation. Many Indian food shipments have been rejected in the past due to increasingly strict criteria for non-organic food sold in Europe and the United States. Because of this, organic farming is a better option than chemical farming.
In 2004, around 2.5 million hectares of land in India were used for organic farming, according to the International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD). In addition, India is home to approximately 15,000organically certified farms. As a result, India is a major source of organic food for the developed world. Organic farming has unquestionably re-emerged in India.
Promising and creative approaches to agriculture and food production face the WORLD as a whole when it comes to organic food and farming systems. For more than three decades, organic agriculture has sparked dynamic market expansion, contributed to farm incomes, and helped generate jobs. Additionally, it provides benefits to the environment, animal welfare, and rural economic growth. It is also worth noting that the organic sector's inventions have had a significant impact on the evolution of agriculture and food production.
High premium, cheap capital investment, ability to attain better market premium, and the ability to apply traditional expertise are just a few of the advantages of organic farming for small farmers throughout the world. Small farmers in Latin America, China, and India can greatly profit from organic farming, according to a study performed by the International Fund for agriculture Development's (IFAD) Office of Evaluation and Studies (OE). Organic farming is being honed to address the financial challenges of modern farmers, which have resulted in several loans and mortgages on farmland.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used in organic farming, which is referred to as "organic." Organic farming is practiced by many small farmers, but they are unable to benefit from it since they are not aware of the market potential.
For small farmers, there are numerous advantages to being organic, as shown below.
· It's expensive: Organic food is often 20to 30 percent more expensive than non-organic food. For a tiny farmer who makes enough money to feed his or her family just once a day, this premium is critical.
· Less investment: In contrast to chemical farming, organic farming typically does not require as large of an investment. In addition, the farmer's annual expenses are cheap because organic fertilizers and insecticides can be manufactured locally. Climate, pests, and disease are just a few of the many outside influences that have an impact on agriculture. In addition, the majority of small farmers are reliant on rainfall to meet their water needs. Consequently, small farmers that practice organic farming suffer less when there is a crop loss due to natural calamity, pest or disease attack, and erratic rainfall. (It's important to keep in mind that switching from chemical to organic farming may be expensive.)
· Reduced reliance on bank loans: Small farmers all across the world are taking their own lives as a result of mounting debt. Organic farming does not necessitate the use of expensive chemical inputs, therefore small farmers do not have to rely on money lenders. As a result, crop failure does not require an organic farmer to take drastic measures or leave him in a state of financial ruin.
· Farming organically is all about working together with different kinds of organisms. As a result of this synergy, small farmers find it simple to adopt.
· There is a plethora of traditional knowledge held by small farmers and their surrounding communities. Chemical farming can not make use of a large portion of this conventional expertise. As a result, organic farmers have access to the traditional expertise of their predecessors. The tiny farmers of organic farming, on the other hand, don't need the help of experts in chemical farming.
CONSUME OF ORGANIC FOOD IN INDIA
Consumption of organic food in India is increasing
Some individuals assume that organic food is a"concept" that is only prevalent in industrialized countries. They believe that India only exports organic food and consumes relatively little of it. This, however, is not the case. Despite the fact that half of India'sorganic food production is geared toward exports, there are many people who want to eat organic food at home.
More than six out of ten parents prefer organic food to-organic food because they are concerned about their children's health. ManyIndian parents are willing to spend extra on organic food because they believe it is better for their children's health, despite the fact that the price difference is more than 25%.
Many organic food stores are springing up in India as a sign of the country's growing interest in organic food. The number of organic food stores and restaurants in India has increased dramatically since their inception in the early 2000s, and this trend is expected to continue. Considering that Mumbai's first organic food store opened in 1997, this is a significant shift. What are the preferences of Indian organic food buyers? As compared to wealthy countries, organic food consumption in India has a very distinct pattern. Organic marmalade, organic strawberry jam, organic tea, organic honey, organic cashew butter, and a variety of organic flours are all popular choices in India among organic food consumers. The Indian organic food consumer, on the other hand, needs to be taught. The distinction between natural and organic food is not well understood by many consumers. Many individuals mistakenly believe that products labeled as Natural are Organic. Asa result, many consumers are unaware of the certification process. Because domestic retail in India does not require certification, there are a plethora of bogus organic items on the market.
Exports of organic food from India
India's organic food exports are on the rise as more farmers switch to organic farming practices. The Indian organic food industry's primary market is the United States and Europe, where local demand is minimal. Now, India is a major provider of organic herbs, spices, organic basmati rice, and so on.
Exports account for 53% of India's organic food output. When compared to the percentage of agricultural products exported, this figure is astronomical. As recently as 2003, just 6–7 percent of India's entire agricultural output was exported; this figure has since decreased (FoodProcessing Market in India, 2005).
India's organic food industry is being fueled by exports.
The Indian organic food business is propelled forward by rising global demand for organic food, as well as government backing and an emphasis on agri-exports in India.
Prices for organic food in India might be anywhere from 20to 30 percent higher than for non-organic food. For the vast majority of Indians, whose average annual income is less than US$800, this is a very hefty premium. Despite rising wages in India, the country's domestic market is unable to consume all of the country's organic food production. As a result, both organic farmers and the government are focused on increasing exports of organic food.
The Indian government has a strong interest in promoting the production of organic food. The Tenth Five Year Plan committed Rs.100 crore(USD 22.2 million) for sustainable agriculture in India.
Organic food exports from India are coordinated by APEDA, the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority. The Ministry of Commerce launched the National Program for Organic Production in India. The country's organic food business is regulated under the program. As a result of these guidelines being based on internationally recognized organic production standards like CODEX and IFOAM, Indian organic foods are becoming increasingly popular in the United States and Europe. A list of organic food exporters in India is also provided by APEDA.
In the future, India's organic food prices are likely to fall, resulting in more exports.
Producing organic food is more expensive in developing nations because of the high labor costs involved. However, in countries like India, where labor is plentiful and inexpensive, organic farming is considered a cost-effective option.
cost-effective alternative to the rising costs of chemical farming. Costs for organic farmers in India are still expensive because they're still in the changeover period. India is predicted to become one of the world's leading producers of organic food as a result of these farmers' continued adoption of organic farming practices (Table 2 and Figure 1). India exports a wide range of organic food products, including the following:
· There are a variety of organic cereals, including wheat, rice, maize, and corn.
· Pulses: Red gram, black gram, and other organic pulses
· Banana, mango, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, cashew nut, and walnut are some of the many organic fruits available.
· The following oilseeds and oils have been certified organic: soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed, groundnut, and castor seed.
· Vegetables: Brijal, garlic, potato, tomato, and onion.
· Chilli, peppermint, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, white pepper, and amla are all included in the Organic Herbs and Spices section. Ginger, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mace are all included.
· Other products include sugar, tea, coffee, cotton, and textiles.
Conclusion
Producing organic food is more expensive in developing nations because of the high labor costs involved. On the other hand, organic farming is considered a cost-effective answer to the rising expenses of chemical farming in countries like India, where labor is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Increased demand in industrialized countries for organic food products, as well as strong government support in India and an emphasis on agricultural exports, are propelling the Indian organic food business forward at a rapid pace.
There are many food crops grown in India, including cereals, pulses, and oilseeds. As a focus of the central government, the government is providing farmers with technical and financial assistance to stimulate diversification in the fields of horticulture, floral and medicinal plants, apiculture (pee-keeping), and sericulture. The government is constantly attempting to improve the agriculture industry by putting a lot of attention on infrastructure and food processing. The country's agricultural infrastructure and technology, on the other hand, can yet be improved to world-class levels. Quality improvement, infrastructural development, and the application of cutting-edge technology are the primary goals.
MD BIOCOALS is one of the top fertilizer companies in India. It plays a significant role in agricultural practices. MD BIOCOALS is an organic products-based company that provides organic manure, biofertilizers, organic fertilizers, biopesticides, plant growth promotors, and insecticides to the whole country.
Call for Enquiries: +91 9416047627