India positions first in number of organic farmers and ninth as far as Area under organic farming

The growth story of organic farming is unfolding with increasing demand not only in India but also globally. during a world battered by the COVID pandemic, the demand for healthy and safe food is already showing an upward trend and hence this is often an opportune moment to be captured for a win-win situation for our farmers, consumers and therefore the environment.

India ranks first in the number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming. Sikkim became the primary State within the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets. North -East India has traditionally been organic and therefore the consumption of chemicals is the way but the remainder of the country. Similarly, the tribal and island territories are being nurtured to continue their organic story.

With the aim of assisting farmers to adopt organic farming and improve remunerations thanks to premium prices, two dedicated programs namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) were launched in 2015 to encourage chemical-free farming. With the simultaneous thrust given by the Agri-export Policy 2018, India can emerge as a serious player in global organic markets. the main organic exports from India are flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses, which were instrumental in driving rise of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs 5151 crore. Modest commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland to UK, USA, Swaziland, and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations because the demand for health foods increases.

Certification is a crucial element of organic produce to instill customer confidence. Both PKVY and MOVCD are promoting certification under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) respectively targeting domestic and exports markets. The Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 are supported the standards of NPOP and PGS. the buyer should search for the logos of FSSAI, Jaivik Bharat / PGS Organic India on the produce to determine the organic authenticity of the produce. PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years.

About 40,000 clusters are being assisted under PKVY covering a neighborhood of about 7 lakh ha. MOVCD has brought in its fold 160 FPOs cultivating about 80,000 ha. For these clusters to become sustainable, it's important that henceforth market led production starts during a contract farming mode, in order that there's a ready marketplace for the produce and industry also gets the specified quality and quantity when required. this is often being pursued in right earnest with bulk buyers including the phtyo extracts industries. The commodities with highest potential include ginger, turmeric, black rice, spices, nutri cereals, pineapples, medicinal plants, buckwheat, bamboo shoots, etc. Supplies have started from NER including for Mother Dairy from Meghalaya, Revanta Foods and large Basket from Manipur. Number of instances of farmer groups fixing markets in RWAs and selling directly is increasingly becoming common especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka where fresh organic produce is lapped up by the urbanites and farmers get a far better bargain with no intermediaries. The presence of aggregators is imperative to cause economies of scale for the tiny and marginal farmers. Hence the concept of market led One district - One product is being encouraged, as also development of more clusters within the vicinity of larger towns where the appetite for organics are going to be far more .

When the pandemic struck India, access to quality food was as high on priority for the country the maximum amount as health. Advisories to States on supporting marketing so as to decongest mandis led to number of States issuing orders and amending legislations, thereby opening up market options to farmers. Working within the constraints posed thanks to disruption in logistics, access to regular markets, decrease in demand, number of States and clusters innovated and converted this crisis into a chance . The Green Caravan of Kohima created market linkages from all villages of Nagaland to urban areas for vegetables, handicrafts and handlooms (www.instamojo.com). There was online sale of fruits and vegetables by FPOs in Maharashtra and doorstep delivery in specially designed electric vans in Punjab. Manipur Organic Agency (MoMA) mobilised all the 15 FPCs of MOVCD to gather produce and transport to 2 organic wholesale centers at Sanjenthong and Chingmeriong in Imphal for onward delivery to consumers.

The organic e-commerce platform www.jaivikkheti.in is being strengthened for directly linking farmers with retail also as bulk buyers. Infusion of digital technology during a much bigger way has been a serious takeaway during the pandemic period and may be a welcome norm here to remain , saving in expenses on travel, logistics, etc while not compromising in any way on the standard of data sharing. In fact, video conferencing and webinars makes possible outreach with more within the field, with minimum disruption in their works too and which wasn't possible in physical meetings. The NER States also participated during a webinar on Integrated Organic Farming models developed by ICAR, for increasing productivity, integrated nutrient and pest management and hence increase in farmers’ income. Video conferences are being held to know the problems being faced by companies and strengthen the conversations with States and Regional Councils liable for handholding clusters and within the process new partnerships are being forged for direct procurement from the farmers/farmer groups.

Natural farming isn't a replacement concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the utilization of chemicals - largely counting on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc since time out of mind . The philosophy underlying organic farming of integration of the weather – soil, water, microbes and ‘waste’ products, forestry and agriculture is that the correct recipe for sustainable use of natural resources, which are coming under severe stress thanks to ever increasing requirement of food and feedstock for agri based industry. this is often also in sync with the Sustainable Development Goal 2 targeting ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’.

Hence with greater awareness and capacity building of the producers on compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global Agri trade.