What began initially as a farming practice and the outcome was the produce- fruits, vegetables, cereals and others has in no time channelled itself into multiple commodities. A sizeable section of people has different notions on this claiming how can everything be grown purely organic as given our scenario and lack of certain resources, our farming practices lack the resources and understanding to carry out such a large movement. Most of them even question the organic standardisation process being followed to label the food as organic or not. Most often than not adulteration has marred the entire food processing chain in India which has created obvious doubts in people’s minds.
There are different views of people on the subject who say that organic methods of farming will eventually not turn out to be viable in the long run as it is expensive for the farmer to meet the daily requirements of farming. Apart from that the farm produce is also expensive compared to the ongoing agricultural practices. But the need of the hour for countries like India lie in organic farming as it arises from unsustainability of agriculture production and the damage caused to ecology through the conventional farming practices.
The theme of consumer welfare has become central in the economic activities of the developed world. Sustainable agriculture based on technologies that combine increased production with improved environmental protection has been accepted as absolutely essential for the maximization of consumer welfare. The consumer has increasingly become concerned about the quality of the products they consume and the food safety has become a crucial requirement. Science and technology have helped man to increase agricultural production from the natural resources like land. But the realization that this has been achieved at the cost of nature and environment, which supports the human life itself, is becoming clear. On this note we in India have to be concerned much more than any other nation of the world as agriculture is the source of livelihood for nearly 6-7 million of our people. It is the very foundation of the economic development of our country.
On the bright side of adopting organic farming practices, the organically cultivated soils are relatively better attuned to withstand water stress and nutrient loss. Their potential to counter soil degradation is high and several experiments in arid areas reveal that organic farming may help to combat desertification. The organic farming practices in India are being well received in the face of national productivity of many of the cereal crops and horticultural crops continued to be one of the lowest in the world inspite of the Green Revolution. The country’s farming sector had started showing indications of reversing the rising productivity as against the increasing trend of input use.
The growing awareness that organic agricultural practices are based on the maximum harmonious relationship with nature aiming at the self-destruction of the environment. The nations of the world are increasingly concerned about the spreading contamination of poisonous chemicals in food, feed, fodder and fibre. Naturally, organic farming system is looked upon as one of the effective means to remedy these maladies. This growing awareness is here to stay and change people’s conservative notions about organic farming, at least in India which will also help the farmer to be in a better position economically.
