Organic Farming; The Present Need of Era

Agriculture is considered as the backbone of Indian Economy. It plays a strategic role in the process of economic development. Growth in agricultural sector may be well judged by the increase in the agricultural production over time. India is expected to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling farm income by 2022.

It is well said that, “Agriculture is an art of growing crops”.

As we know that plants require water, sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients for their growth and development, but there are some factors which we provide to plants are harmful for their health, hence there is need to avoid those factors.

Yes, it is nothing but the synthetic fertilizers which we provide to plant as plant nutrient are harmful for their health. So there is need to find an alternative for these synthetic fertilizers. The only solution for this problem is use of organic fertilizers, which is called as “Organic Farming “

It isn’t a new concept of farming , it is been practiced in India since thousands of years. Agriculture was practices by using organic technique, where the fertilizers, pesticides, etc., were obtained from plant and animal products.

Concept of organic agriculture:

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Organic farming works in the harmony with the nature rather than against it. This involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it.

Organic agriculture combines traditions, innovation and science to benefit the environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality life for all world. Rather than using chemical materials it uses biological materials and maintains ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage.

It includes various processes like crop rotation, green manure, organic waste management, biological pest control, etc.

Scope in India:

India’s rich heritage agriculture traditions make it suitable for designing organic production system. Many courses have been started by, Agronomy division of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) which include package and practices for organic farming which can promote great career opportunities in organic farming.

Growth of organic farming in India:

As the India is becoming modernized day by day the requirement of organic products is increasing, the certification and regulation of the organic sector come into being and thrived.

In order to satisfy the increasing demand of organic products the organic farming sector in India has substantially increased over the course of year.

India ranks 33^rd in world in terms of area under organic farming.

India rank 88^th in terms of the ratio of agriculture land under organic crop to total farming area.

Madhya Pradesh has highest area under organic farming (1.1 mha or 52%)

Maharashtra is at second (0.96 mha or 33.6%)

Orissa is at third (0.67 mha or 9.7%)

Uttrakhand and Sikkim is recognized as the organic states.

Methods/ techniques of organic farming :

Crop Rotation: A technique to grow various kinds of crops in the same area, according to different seasons, in a sequential manner

Green Manure: Refers to the dying plants that are uprooted and stuffed into the soil in order to make them act as a nutrient for the soil to increase its quality.

Mulching: It is a process of covering the soil and making more favorable condition for the growth, development of the plant.

Bio-fertilizer: There are the substances which contain living microorganisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.

Vermi-compost:

Vermicompost is the product of the composting process using various species of worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast.

Aim of organic farming:

To provide the population with quality and nutritional stuff.

Effective utilization of natural resources

Reduce/ avoid all types of pollution that occurs due to agriculture

To reduce it input cost

To maintain long term fertility of soil.

Advantages of organic farming:

Less/ no depletion of soil nutrients, maintain better health of soil.

Helps in reducing toxic substances in the environment

Creates job opportunities for the peoples.

It helps in preserving agriculture.

It leads to reduction in farm waste as the farm waste is recycled and used form making organic fertilizers out of it .

Disadvantages of organic farming :

It requires knowledge of making and using effectively organic manures.

More time is required to obtain results of organic farming

Reduction in crop yield.

It requires more workers for managing the organic farming.

At last we can conclude that there is real need to go forward for organic farming in order to maintain plant, environment and human health. “Let’s get on organic farming and food, which gives us a healthy and prosperous life……”

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