Time to Switch – Organic Farming
“The health of soil, plant, animal and man is one and indivisible”
-Sir Albert Howard
It refers to the minimal use of off-farm inputs and maximizing on-farm management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Way back in 1960’s due to Green Revolution aspect of maximizing production, there was an immense usage of the chemical’s which led to degradation of the living environment. But the results are hereinafter in the present scenario. Those chemicals had a short-term impact on productivity including a long-term negative effect on the environment even as far as entering into the food chain. At the positive end, we were in surplus of food grains by 1990’s yet on the darker end emerging of unfertile lands and fertilizer hungry lands increased.
The time has come to shift from synthetic era to the organic era with sustainability in production and environmental health.
Organic Farming Well- Being
• Low investment
• Premium prices for final goods
• Environmental safety
• Micro and macro environment protection
• Synergy with life forms
• Back to traditional knowledge with advanced modern approach
• Reduce pollution
Organic Farming Certification
In Indian scenario National Program for Organic Production and its regulatory body APEDA (Agricultural and processed food products export development authority) have laid down the guidelines for organic certification displaying the ‘India Organic’ logo.
In 2006, India’s organic certification process under NPOP has been granted equivalence with the European Union. It has also been recognized for conformity assessment by USDA’s NOP.
Principal of Standards
- NPOP has laid down some principals to be followed to validate for certification
- Change of land for Organic Farming must be finished.
- Uprightness of all procedures (physical, natural, mechanical) must be kept up constantly.
- Sustainable practices must be followed.
- All contributions to the ranch ought to be regular.
- No defilement from adjacent ranches or different means must be available.
- No Genetically Modified information sources or Irradiation innovation ought to be utilized.
Wild Harvest Organic Certification
- Wild reaps likewise can be affirmed as natural and no transformation period is required for wild terrains. Here are a couple of pointers on the affirmation of wild reaps.
- Just items and not the woods is ensured.
- Applies to characteristic woods as it were.
- Gathering not to surpass maintainable yield of any species and it must not undermine neighborhood biological community. Around 40% deliver ought to be left in the backwoods itself.
- The deliver must be gotten from a steady and supportable developing condition.
- Deliver accumulation exercises ought to decidedly add to the upkeep of regular legacy.
Process of Organic Certification in India
The harvested produce is certified not the soil on which crop is taken up. Large-scale farmers or small size farm holder’s groups (25 – 500 farmers having lands in the same geographical area) can apply for Organic certification of their produce.
Recently APEDA offers an internet-based e-service called Tracenet to collect, record and report data on organic certification and also used to trace any organic produce all the way to the farm from anywhere in the supply chain.
Time period and expenditure for Organic Certification in India
For Individuals – ₹ 25,000 – 40,000
For Groups – ₹ 40,000 – 1,00,000
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Type of agricultural unit
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Typical time period for
organic certification
(months)
|
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Farm
|
24
|
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Fruit Orchards
|
36
|
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Dairy unit on certified land
|
3
|
|
Food Processing units
|
1 day
|
|
Unused land
|
36 – 48
|
Market of Organic Food Products
According to reports published by ASSOCHAM, The Associated Chambers of Commerce of India and TechSci Research 2016 organic food market is $ 0.5 billion which may go up to $ 1.36 billion in 4 -5 years. The IT Hub of India, Bengaluru is an emerging hub for organic food markets.
