Policies for Organic Farming

The rapid population explosion has increased the demand for consumption of food, which led to the Green Revolution. The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers led to increased crop production. The modern methods of farming led to the soil, air, and water pollution affecting the lives of people. The degradation in the environment led to decreasing the fertility of the soil, which enabled the consumers to accept eco-friendly methods of farming. Organic farming methods are considered sustainable methods, which have health and nutritional benefits as well. 

Concept of Organic farming

The concept of organic farming emerged in 1940 and was founded by Northbourne. The process involves farming by natural compounds such as animal or plant waste.

Types of organic farming

Organic farming is of two types- “ pure organic farming” and “integrated organic farming”. “Pure organic farming” is done purely based on natural sources. The integrated method focuses more on nutritional standards and meeting the economic demands.

Principles of organic farming

Organic farming methods consist of four principles- health, ecology, fairness, care.

Organic farming must focus on improving the quality of the soil thereby sustaining life on earth. The method should maintain the relationships between nature and its living beings by supporting the cycles of nature. Organic farming is done with the utmost responsibility of supporting the environment and keeping in mind the future outcomes.

Organic farming policies and schemes

The government to promote organic farming has implemented certain policies in the country and gained economic benefits.

“Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” (PKVY)

The organic farming policy was launched in the year 2015 and adopted organic villages. The PKVY scheme focuses on soil health management, which is the most crucial project of NMSA. The use of chemical fertilizers needs to be reduced from the rain or hilly areas. Organic farmers are also provided with subsidies.

“Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana”

The organic farming policy includes methods that are boosted in the states through this scheme. Agricultural plans are formulated in the districts to provide maximum return benefits to the organic farmers. The mission aims to gain nutritional benefits from organically yielded products. The organic policy focuses on improving the health of the people, especially the marginalized sector.

“Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region” (MOVCDNER)

The organic farming policy was launched by the ministry to promote organic farming in the northeastern states of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim. The focus is to ensure a developmental value chain in the market. The scheme also devises market link strategies and storage of organic products.

“National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm” (NMOOP)

The organic farming policy aims to promote the production of edible oils and increase oil palm plantations. 

“Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) Under Soil Health Management Scheme”

The scheme has the objective of developing agriculture production by developing soil health. The organic farming policy ensures environmental safety thereby reducing the use of chemical synthesizers.

“National Horticulture Mission”

The government focuses on training farmers under this scheme. Organic farmers are also distributed land for farming which is a part of economic organic farming.

“One District- One Product” (ODOP)

The ODOP policy on organic farming enhances to promotion economics of organic planning increases the sale of indigenous products in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

“Zero Budget Natural Farming”

The process involves drawing inspiration from traditional Indian agricultural practices by avoiding synthetic fertilizers. This organic farming policy is crucial for the economy of organic farming.

“Agri-Export Policy”

The policy was launched in 2018, which is responsible for promoting organic farming and creating an impact on the market. This deals with the economic planning of organic farming.

“National Project on Organic farming” (NPOF)

The project focuses on improving the organic production units, biopesticides, biofertilizers thereby reducing the dependency on chemical fertilizers. The scheme also provides certification programs and encourages organic farming. The scheme has the recognition of Switzerland and the European Union.

Conclusion

The process of organic farming involves farming by using natural fertilizer, which is eco-friendly and has nutritional value. The government is focusing on organic farming by implementing various organic farming policies.