Food production has seen various advancements globally in developing countries, such as India. The production of food within India was insufficient with effect from 1947 to 1960 as there was a growing population, during which a famine was also anticipated. But with the advent of Green Revolution, India transformed to a food grain surplus country from a deficit one. The green revolution led to high productivity of crops through adapted measures, such as increased area under farming, double-cropping, adoption of HYV of seeds, increased use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, improved irrigation facilities, and improved farm implements and crop protection and modifications in farm equipment. There was a significant increase in the usage of pesticides during this period, and India became one of the largest producers of pesticides in the whole of Asia, which in turn resulted in significant economic gains. There was a repetition of the crop cycle for increased crop production and reduced crop failure, which depleted the soil's nutrients. Similarly, as there is no return of crop residues and organic matter to the soil, intensive cropping systems resulted in the loss of soil organic matter. Moreover, to meet the needs of these new kinds of seeds, farmers increased the use of chemical fertilizers which also deteriorated the soil quality.
The application of pesticides and fertilizers led to an increase in the level of heavy metals, especially Cd (cadmium), Pb (lead), and As (arsenic), in the soil. Weedicides and herbicides also harmed the environment. The soil pH increased after the green revolution due to the usage of these alkaline chemicals. The practice of monoculture (only wheat–rice cultivation) also had a deleterious effect on many soil properties, which includes migration of silt from the surface to subsurface layers and a decrease in organic carbon content. Toxic chemicals in the soil destroyed beneficial pathogens, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility. In addition, the usage of tractors and mechanization damaged the physicochemical properties of the soil, which affected the biological activities in the soil. All these practices deteriorated the soil health and ultimately our environment. To restore our environment particularly our soil we need to shift our focus on other options of farming like organic farming, natural farming etc.
Organic farming /ecological farming/ biological farming is a holistic approach which relies mainly on organic sources of fertilizers viz., compost manure, green manure, bone meal, biofertilizers and agronomic practices like crop rotation and companion planting. Besides, biological pest control, ecological engineering, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators is also emphasized. Prohibition of synthetic substances and use of only naturally occurring substances is regulated by organic standards. These organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations, based in large part on the standards set by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), an international umbrella organization for organic farming organizations established in 1972. Organic agriculture is developing rapidly and today at least 170 countries produce organic food commercially.
India produces around 27,132,966 MT of certified organic products including all types of food viz., Basmati rice, pulses, honey, tea, spices, coffee, oil seeds, fruits, processed food, cereals, herbal medicines and their value added products. This production is not just limited to the edible sector; it includes organic cotton fiber, garments, cosmetics, functional food products, body care products, etc. These organic products have a huge demand and can be marketed internationally to EU, US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa and the Middle East. Currently, around 12 states -Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand - have state organic certification agencies accredited by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). About 50,000 hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir is used for organic farming, and it has an organic certified area of 22,316 hectares. The Central Government had given priority to Jammu and Kashmir in promoting organic agriculture. Till now, an area of 1180 hectares has been identified for organic farming and more than 3000 farmers in the state have been given the training in organic farming.
Organic farming advocates sustainability, self-sufficiency, autonomy, health, food security, food safety and also promotes crop diversity in terms of polyculture. Due to inhibition of herbicides and pesticides, a boost in biodiversity fitness and population density is observed. Organic farming not only builds healthy soil but also helps combat erosion, supports water conservation and water health. Food safety is also ameliorated on account of lower nitrogen application, minimal use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers which in turn reduces the incidences of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke. Organic food is healthier, tastier, authentic, natural, free from pesticides, antibiotics and Genetically Modified Organisms, low in nitrate content, safe and certified over non-organic food. Organic farming has the potential to support biodiversity conservation by augmenting the number as well as the diversity of the wild species on farms, maintaining soil health and thus soil flora and fauna, reducing the risk of water pollution and being energy efficient.
The majority of small scale farmers are using poor agro-ecological practices that degrade the environment. There is a need to provide knowledge and service to farmers, who have inadequate knowledge of ecological organic farming techniques, market skills of natural/organic products, and sustainable livelihoods. Organic farming business has a huge potential here owing to its benefit to health, and environment, improved agricultural cycle, reduced imports of pesticides and other foreign fertilizers and Increased employment generation. Before using the organic label, farmers must receive certification that the product complies with applicable standards following third-party inspections of their operations. Soil health is the main foundation of organic systems. Fertile soil will provide essential plant nutrients while supporting an active biotic community that helps the soil resists environmental degradation.
The Government of India provides assistance for promoting organic farming across the country though different schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme, National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM). SKUAST Kashmir is also playing a pivotal role in popularization / adoption of organic farming among farming community by imparting and disseminating trainings and methodologies in every part of Kashmir through its various outlets like KVKs, Faculties. In this context, vermi beds, biofertilizers and other organic sources are also provided to farmers free of cost at various KVKs. KVK Kupwara is also playing a pivotal role in promoting organic farming and about 300 NADP compost pits, 10 woven vermi beds, 2 low cost vermicompost pits and 200 bottles of organic waste decomposers were distributed among farmers till date. Besides, KVK Kupwara has also laid OFT/FLDs on use of bio-inputs to popularize organic farming. Many farmers of district Kupwara are producing organic products but due to lack of marketing they aren’t getting due returns on time. KVK Kupwara helps in creating consumer level awareness among the people and bridges the gap.
Despite all the benefits of organic farming on biodiversity and environmental protection, it also comes with some limitations such as significant costs at the beginning, pest issues, expensive products for the poor families, strict regulatory standards to be met, high certification costs, time- consuming, need of expert knowledge, high variance in yield and may not be suitable for growing on a large scale. Organic farming should not be seen as an isolated technology but as a systematic approach that embodies principles of human ecology and sustainable development.
(Authors are associated with District Agro Meteorological Unit, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kupwara, SKUAST-K)