Organic Farming: Meaning, Benefits, Challenges and Future Prospects of Organic Farming

From the experiences of the past years, it is indicated that modern farming methods have overused the natural resources base. Excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides were used, which created the problems of loss of soil fertility, and soil and water pollution. Ordinary farming depends intensely on compound composts and poisonous pesticides, etc., which enter the food supply, degrade water sources, harm animals, and affect the ecosystem. Efforts in advancing technologies which are eco-friendly are necessary, and one such innovation, which is eco-friendly is Organic Farming.

Meaning of Organic Farming

The form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control is known as Organic Farming. The use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and genetically modified organisms are avoided. 

• It is a process of producing safe and healthy food, without leaving any adverse impact on the environment. 
• Organic agriculture is a whole system of farming that resorts, maintains and enhances the ecological balance.  
• In order to enhance food safety throughout the world, there is an increasing demand for organically grown food.

Benefits of Organic Farming

The benefits of Organic Farming are as follows:

• Economical Farming: Organic Farming is economical as it offers a means to substitute costlier agricultural input, such as HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc., with locally produced cheaper organic inputs.  
• Environment Friendly: Chemical fertilizers pollute the groundwater by rising its nitrate content, whereas, in organic farming, environment-friendly manures and fertilizers are used, which discards the use of chemical fertilizers.
• Sustains Soil Fertility: In Organic farming manures and compost are used, which maintain soil fertility.
• Provides Healthy Food: Organic farming offers healthier and tastier food compared to chemical farming. It was observed that naturally developed food is more nutritious than the food from compound cultivation.
• Inexpensive technique Organic farming is an inexpensive farming technology for small and marginal farmers, and unlike, conventional technology, it does not require expensive inputs like HYV seeds, Pesticides, chemical fertilizers etc.
• Generates Income through Exports: Income is generated through exports as there is a high demand for organically grown crops.

Challenges before Organic Farming

The following challenges are before Organic Farming:

• Less Popular: There is less awareness about Organic Farming. It needs to be popularised by creating awareness and willingness on the part of farmers, to adoption of new technology. There should also be an appropriate agricultural policy to promote organic farming.
• Lack of Infrastructure and Marketing Facilities: Organic Farming faces problems of inadequate infrastructure and marketing facilities.
• Low Yield: The yield in Organic Farming is less in the initial years as compared to modern agricultural farming. And because of this, small and marginal farmers find it difficult to adapt to large-scale production.
• Shorter Food Life: The shelf-life is shorter in the case of organic produce as compared to sprayed produce.
• Limited Choice of Crops: There is limited choice in the production of crops in the case of organic farming.

Future Prospects of Organic Farming

The future prospects of Organic Farming is in sync with Sustainable Development’s goal, which targets to ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’. However, only 2 per cent of the net sown area in India is organically farmed, and only 1.3 per cent of farmers in India are registered for organic farming. This number shows the potential in itself.

• Organic food is preferred after the rising domestic market. India is set for quicker development. The development of India’s homegrown business sectors is urgent to the natural development prosperity.
• Organic farming has arisen as an elective means of cultivating that may address quality and sustainability concerns, yet additionally guarantees a loan-free future, with expanding awareness about the security and nature of food.
• The government of India is implementing a new scheme, ‘National Project on Organic Farming‘ for production, promotion and market development of organic farming. The main components of this scheme are:
  (i) Putting in place a system of certification of organic produce.
  (ii) Capacity building through service providers
  (iii) Financial support for commercial production units for the production of organic inputs.
  (iv) Promotion, extension and market development of organic farming.