Emergence
Organic farming is done by the farmers for different reasons. The first reason is the farmers living in low or no input areas, for them organic farming is a way of income source and they were doing it as a tradition. The second reason is the farmers which have newly adopted the organic farming to overcome from results of conventional farming i.e. soil fertility, food toxicity etc. The third reason is to get high income by doing certified organic farming.
Growing area
In 2003-04 year, the certified organic farming is 17,500 acre but in last 5 year it increases vastly. In year 2010, the certified organic farming is done in 1.86 million acre land.
Important features of Indian organic sector
India is the single largest country doing certified organic farming and is highest arable for doing organic farming. India is the largest producer of organic cotton farming with the production of 77,000 metric tonnes.
Future prospects
There is rapid growth in last 10 years, i.e. there is almost 25-30% increase in organic farming. But still the demand is more and therefore needs more growth. Due to increasing awareness about the quality and safety of food among people, the demand of organic food is increasing. Therefore organic farming must be done in more land area.
Principles of organic farming
- According to IFOAM (The International Federation for Organic Agriculture Movement’s), the definition of organic agriculture is based on the principle of health, ecology fairness and care.
- The main principle of organic farming is based on sustainable production of crops by natural processes.
- Organic farming mainly relies on use of renewable resources.
- The key principle is to maintain the fertility of the soil.
- It helps in maximizing the recycling of organic matter and plant nutrient.
- It focuses on not using the pesticides or chemical fertilizers on crop in any way.
- It helps to increase yield in low-input areas, increases income and produces safe and varied food.
