Organic Farming in India: A Comprehensive Overview
1. Introduction to Organic Farming
Organic farming is a method of agriculture that avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and
genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
It relies on natural inputs, crop rotation, biological pest control, and organic manure to
maintain soil health and ecological balance.
The demand for organic food has grown due to concerns over health, environmental
sustainability, and soil degradation.
2. Growth of Organic Farming in India
India ranks first in the world in terms of the number of organic farmers and is among the top
10 organic farming countries.
As of 2023, India had around 4.43 million hectares of land under organic cultivation,
including certified and wild harvest areas.
The Indian organic food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~20% in the coming years.
3. Key Organic Farming Practices in India
1. Use of Organic Fertilizers – Compost, manure, green manure, and biofertilizers like
Rhizobium and Azotobacter.
2. Natural Pest Control – Use of neem-based pesticides, biological control agents, and
companion planting.
3. Crop Rotation & Mixed Cropping – Improves soil fertility and reduces pest outbreaks.
4. Use of Indigenous Seeds – Preference for native, non-GMO varieties adapted to
local climates.
5. Government Initiatives & Policies Supporting Organic Farming
1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) (2015)
Promotes cluster-based organic farming (minimum 20 hectares per cluster).
Provides financial assistance to farmers for inputs like biofertilizers and compost.
2. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) (2000)
Sets standards for organic certification in India.
Provides accreditation to organic farms and certifying agencies.
3. Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD-NER) (2015)
Focuses on promoting organic farming in the North Eastern Region (NER).
Encourages farmers to shift from traditional to certified organic farming.
4. Jaivik Kheti Portal
An online platform for farmers to sell organic produce directly to consumers.
5. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
A farming method promoted by Subhash Palekar that eliminates external inputs and
reduces production costs.
Adopted in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh.
6. Major Organic Farming States in India
Sikkim – Became India’s first 100% organic state in 2016.
Madhya Pradesh – Largest area under organic farming.
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand – Significant organic farming
activities.
North-East Region – Government focus on promoting organic farming due to minimal
chemical use.
7. Challenges in Organic Farming in India
1. High Initial Cost & Transition Period – Farmers face a 3-year conversion period
before certification.
2. Certification Issues – Organic certification is costly and complex (requires NPOP,
Jaivik Bharat, or international certification).
3. Lower Yields Initially – Organic farming can lead to temporary yield reductions,
affecting farmer incomes.
4. Lack of Awareness & Market Access – Many farmers struggle to find buyers for their
organic produce.
5. Supply Chain & Storage Issues – Poor logistics, storage, and lack of organic
processing units.
6. Future Prospects & Way Forward
Strengthening certification mechanisms and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Expanding direct-to-consumer markets to improve farmers’ earnings.
Government subsidies & financial support for farmers shifting to organic farming.
Research & innovation in organic fertilizers and natural pest control methods.
Promotion of urban organic farming and rooftop organic gardens.
Conclusion
Organic farming in India has immense potential but faces challenges related to
certification, cost, and market access. Government initiatives, technological innovations,
and increased consumer awareness can help boost organic farming adoption and make
India a leader in sustainable agriculture.
ORGANIC FARMING IN BIHAR
Organic farming in Bihar has gained attention as a sustainable agricultural practice, driven
by both government initiatives and local efforts to improve soil health, reduce chemical
use, and enhance farmer livelihoods. Bihar, with its fertile plains and agriculture-
dependent economy, has significant potential for organic farming, though it faces
challenges.
The Bihar government has promoted organic farming through schemes like the Organic
Farming Corridor along the Ganga River, covering 13 districts such as Patna, Buxar,
Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur, Munger,
Katihar, and Nalanda. Launched a few years ago, this initiative aims to create clusters of
organic farmland, offering farmers financial support of Rs. 11,500 per acre in the first year
and Rs. 6,500 per acre in the subsequent two years, up to a maximum of two acres. The
scheme, initially set to end in 2022-23, has been extended to 2025, targeting 20,000 acres
to meet national organic standards.
Despite these efforts, organic farmers in Bihar face hurdles. Many report lower yields
compared to conventional methods—sometimes dropping from 8 quintals of wheat per
acre to less than 4 quintals—along with high input costs for certified organic fertilizers like
Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM), which can cost Rs. 1,000 for 50 kg versus Rs. 200
in the open market. Limited market access for organic produce and inadequate pest
management solutions further complicate adoption. Farmers also note insufficient training
and infrastructure, such as vermicompost units, which require cattle dung that not all
possess.
On the positive side, success stories exist. Villages like Kedia in Jamui district have
transitioned entirely to organic farming, with all 107 families benefiting from reduced input
costs and healthier produce. Supported by organizations like Greenpeace, they grow
diverse crops—paddy, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables—using natural inputs like
cow dung and neem-based pesticides. Similarly, Sohdih village in Nalanda gained global
recognition for its organic potato farming, mapped via GPS.
The state aims to expand organic farming to all 38 districts under the 4 th Agricultural Road
Map, offering incentives like subsidies for vermicompost units (Rs. 5,000 or 50% of costs)
and commercial plants (up to Rs. 6.4 lakh). However, experts suggest that for sustainability,
Bihar needs better training, certification facilities, and market linkages rather than relying
solely on subsidies. Models like Andhra Pradesh’s, which focuses on knowledge-sharing
over grants, are often cited as a potential blueprint.
In summary, while organic farming in Bihar holds promise for sustainable agriculture, its
success hinges on addressing yield gaps, reducing costs, and building robust support
systems for farmers.
