Organic Farming in India
Organic farming in India is gaining popularity day by day. One can get organic certification by strictly following organic farming methods. Organic produces have great market value and demand. Learn what is organic farming and how you can convert your land into a certified organic farm.
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Biologically, it is defined as the process of turning organic debris into worm castings that play a crucial role in increasing the fertility of soil. These castings contain seven times more potash, five times more nitrogen and 1.5 times more calcium than what is found in the topsoil. In addition they have better moisture retention capacity, aeration, porosity and structure than the topsoil. The water absorption capacity of the soil is enhanced thanks to the burrowing action of the earthworm, and the organic content in the castings. Research has shown the castings to hold nine times their weight in water.
Organic Manure
They contain nutrients in small quantities. Hence they are applied in large quantities to the fields. They are of different types but farmyard manure, green manure and compost are the most commonly used forms of bulky organic manure. The advantages of using bulky manure as below: Increase nutrient availability in soil. Act as a medium for plants to absorb nutrients from soil including micronutrients. Improve the physical properties of soil like its porosity, structure, water holding capacity, etc. Since the microbial balance in the soil is altered it indirectly controls the fungi and nematodes present in soil.
Concept of Organic Farming
Organic farming is a very native concept to India. It is based on the following principles:Soil is a living entity.
Nature is the best teacher for farming since it does not use any external nutrients or additional water.
Organic farming is based on understanding the ways of nature. It does not mine the soil of its nutrients nor does it degrade the soil for fulfilling the needs of the common man.
The living population of the soil is protected and nurtures. The natural micro-organisms in soil are not harmed in any way.
The focus in organic farming is the soil itself. The health of the soil and its structure is maintained as it is believed to the most important medium.
Thus organic farming is a system of farming that aims at keeping the soil alive, maintaining its good health, cultivating the land and then raising the crops. This must be done to maintain a pollution-free environment and in an ecological manner.
Concept of Organic Farming
Organic farming is a very native concept to India. It is based on the following principles:Soil is a living entity.
Nature is the best teacher for farming since it does not use any external nutrients or additional water.
Organic farming is based on understanding the ways of nature. It does not mine the soil of its nutrients nor does it degrade the soil for fulfilling the needs of the common man.
The living population of the soil is protected and nurtures. The natural micro-organisms in soil are not harmed in any way.
The focus in organic farming is the soil itself. The health of the soil and its structure is maintained as it is believed to the most important medium.
Thus organic farming is a system of farming that aims at keeping the soil alive, maintaining its good health, cultivating the land and then raising the crops. This must be done to maintain a pollution-free environment and in an ecological manner.
Silent Features of Organic Farming
Some of the salient features of organic farming include:Protecting soil fertility
Maintaining the level of organic matter
Encouraging biological activity in soils
Providing nutrients through the microbial action
Using legumes to fulfill the nitrogen requirements of the soil.
Recycling organic matter like crop residues and manures
Managing diseases, pests and weeds through the use of techniques like natural predators, organic manuring, crop rotation, maintaining diversity, growing resistant varieties, etc.
Effective livestock management by paying special attention to their nutrient requirements, housing, breeding, rearing, etc.
Regulatory Body and Organic Certification
Since India has traditionally been practicing organic farming, there is a regulatory body that ensures quality.National Program on Organic Production (NPOP) is the authority defining the regulatory mechanism. They have two different bodies for regulation in the domestic and export markets.
Under Foreign Trade Development Regulation Act, NPOP looks after the export requirements.
Under Agriculture Produce Grading, Marking and Certification Act, it looks after the domestic market and imports.
Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a regulatory body of NPOP as per FTDR Act. It is also the Agriculture Marketing Advisory under Agricultural Ministry.
Organic Farm Management
Since the entire concept of organic farming revolves around a healthy, living soil crop residue management, effective crop rotation, proper cropping patterns etc. must be practiced carefully. This ensures optimum productivity without any fertility loss. In addition, organic systems also respect the natural ecology of the area such as the weather, flora and fauna of the place, the native animals there etc.One of the first steps in organic farming is to understand the area and basic requirements following which the long term strategies must be addressed. Some of the problems faced by the country are:
Poor soil health due to loss of organic matter and soil microbes.
Increased temperature
Reduced water supply
Costly high inputs as opposed to lower returns.