Organic Farming in India

1. Organic Farming in India

Organic farming in India refers to a system of agricultural production that avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and artificial growth hormones. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), organic farming focuses on creating a balanced agricultural ecosystem where natural inputs such as compost, farmyard manure, crop rotation and biological pest control are used to maintain soil fertility and crop health.

The objective of organic farming in India is to produce food in an environmentally sustainable manner while preserving soil fertility and biodiversity. With increasing awareness about the harmful effects of chemical-based agriculture, organic farming in India is gaining importance as a method that promotes safe food production, sustainable agriculture and ecological balance. For UPSC and BPSC aspirants, these Organic Farming Notes are useful for understanding the agricultural, environmental and economic dimensions of organic agriculture.

Organic Farming in India Benefits include improved soil health, reduced dependence on chemical inputs, protection of biodiversity and opportunities for sustainable agricultural development.

2. Status of Organic Farming

Organic farming in India has been expanding steadily due to rising awareness about health, environmental sustainability and demand for organic food products. India is among the leading countries in terms of the number of organic farmers, and several regions have adopted traditional chemical-free farming practices.

• Sikkim became the first fully organic state in the world in 2016, converting its entire agricultural land to organic farming.
• The North Eastern region of India has traditionally practiced organic farming, as the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been relatively low in these areas.
• Many tribal and island regions of India have also followed natural farming methods for generations.

Organic agricultural products from India are increasingly gaining importance in international markets. Major organic export products include flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses. India’s organic exports increased by nearly 50% in 2018–19, reaching about ₹5151 crore, reflecting growing global demand for organic products.

The growing adoption of organic farming in India also highlights the Organic Farming in India Benefits associated with sustainable production, environmental protection and access to expanding domestic and international markets. These developments are important for understanding Organic Farming Schemes in India and their role in supporting farmers.

3. Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming

The Government of India has launched several schemes and policy initiatives to encourage organic farming in India, promote sustainable agriculture and increase the export potential of organic products. These Government Schemes for Organic Farming aim to support farmers through organic production, certification, training, infrastructure development and market linkages.

3.1 Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER)

The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) was launched in 2015 as a central sector scheme under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). The scheme focuses on developing certified organic production in the North Eastern states such as Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

It aims to create a complete organic value chain from farmers to consumers, including production, processing, marketing and export of organic products. As one of the major Organic Farming Schemes in India, MOVCD-NER focuses on building an integrated system that helps farmers move from organic production to better market access.

3.2 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) was launched in 2015 to promote organic farming through a cluster-based approach. Under this scheme, farmers are encouraged to form organic farming clusters and adopt natural farming practices.

The scheme supports Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification, training of farmers and financial assistance for adopting organic farming methods. It is one of the important Government Schemes for Organic Farming designed to encourage farmers to shift towards sustainable agricultural practices.

PKVY is also an important component of organic farming in India, as the cluster-based approach enables farmers to collectively adopt organic methods, obtain certification and improve their access to markets.

3.3 Certification Systems: PGS and NPOP

To maintain quality standards, the government has introduced certification systems for organic products. These certification mechanisms are an important part of organic farming in India, as they help establish consumer confidence and ensure that organic products meet prescribed standards.

• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is mainly used for domestic organic markets and certifies chemical-free produce produced through community-based verification.
• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) provides third-party certification for organic exports, ensuring that Indian organic products meet international standards.

These certification systems are important while studying Organic Farming Notes because certification helps distinguish genuine organic products from products that are merely marketed as organic. They also support the development of organized markets and strengthen the credibility of organic farming in India.

3.4 Agri Export Policy 2018

The Agri Export Policy 2018 focuses on promoting agricultural exports by developing export-oriented clusters and improving marketing infrastructure. The policy encourages the branding and promotion of organic products under the label “Produce of India.”

The policy is relevant to organic farming in India because better export infrastructure, branding and market access can help Indian organic producers benefit from growing global demand. It also complements other Organic Farming Schemes in India aimed at improving the value chain and market opportunities for farmers.

3.5 One District One Product (ODOP)

The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative promotes the development of specialized agricultural products at the district level. The scheme supports the marketing and promotion of local organic products, helping farmers gain better market access.

ODOP can contribute to organic farming in India by encouraging district-level specialization, value addition and branding of agricultural products. It also supports the broader objectives of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming by creating better opportunities for farmers to connect with consumers and markets.

3.6 PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)

The PMFME scheme, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, supports small food processing entrepreneurs with credit access, modern technology and market linkages. It helps promote the processing and marketing of organic agricultural products.

The scheme can strengthen organic farming in India by supporting value addition and processing, allowing farmers and small enterprises to move beyond the sale of raw agricultural produce. Such initiatives are relevant to the Organic Farming in India Benefits because processing and better market linkages can improve the economic returns from organic agricultural products.

3.7 Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) promotes chemical-free agriculture using natural inputs such as cow dung, cow urine and organic residues. The method focuses on reducing input costs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

ZBNF is relevant to organic farming in India because it emphasizes the use of locally available natural resources and seeks to reduce farmers’ dependence on external chemical inputs. It is also important from the perspective of Organic Farming Notes, particularly for understanding sustainable agriculture, low-cost farming practices and environmentally friendly agricultural methods.

4. Benefits and Challenges of Organic Farming

Organic farming offers several environmental and economic benefits, but it also faces certain practical challenges in large-scale adoption. Understanding both aspects is important for promoting organic farming in India.

Benefits of organic farming

• Improves soil health – Organic farming uses natural inputs such as compost and farmyard manure, which improve soil fertility and microbial activity. Studies show that organic practices can increase soil organic carbon and biodiversity.
• Environmentally sustainable agriculture – By avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, organic farming helps reduce soil degradation, water pollution and ecological damage.
• Growing export potential – Global demand for organic products is increasing rapidly, creating new export opportunities for India. India’s organic exports reached around ₹5151 crore in 2018–19, showing strong growth in international markets.
• Health benefits for consumers – Organic food products are free from harmful chemical residues, making them safer for human consumption.

The Organic Farming in India Benefits extend beyond farm-level production to include soil conservation, environmental protection, consumer safety and export opportunities. These benefits make organic farming in India an important topic for understanding sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Challenges of organic farming

• Lower initial productivity – In the early years, organic farming may produce lower yields compared to chemical-based farming, which discourages some farmers.
• Certification and compliance costs – Obtaining organic certification under systems like PGS and NPOP can be costly and time-consuming for small farmers.
• Limited market infrastructure – Many farmers face difficulties in accessing organized markets and proper pricing for organic products.
• Lack of awareness and training – Farmers need proper training and technical guidance to adopt organic farming methods effectively.

These Challenges of Organic Farming in India can limit the large-scale adoption of organic agricultural practices, particularly among small and marginal farmers. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing the full potential of organic farming in India and ensuring that farmers receive adequate technical support, certification assistance and market access.

5. Conclusion

Organic farming in India offers a sustainable pathway to improve soil health, protect biodiversity, reduce chemical dependence and meet growing demand for safe food. However, challenges related to productivity, certification, market access and farmer awareness remain. Strengthening government support, value chains, technology, certification and consumer awareness can make organic farming in India more viable and beneficial for farmers and the environment.

BPSC Mains Practice Question

“Organic farming in India can promote sustainable agriculture, but its large-scale adoption faces several challenges.” Discuss the major benefits and challenges of organic farming in India and suggest suitable measures to make it more viable for Indian farmers.

Learn More: Organic Farming in India

Organic farming in India promotes sustainable agriculture through natural inputs, soil conservation and reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Learn more about Organic Farming and the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) through the official NPOP portal.