Organic farming has seen unprecedented growth in India, with the world’s second-largest country managing over 98.9 million hectares of farmland sustainably by 2023. This figure represents a 2.6% increase from the previous year, a testament to the progress of sustainable agriculture across the nation.
AU斠 explain that after expanding and modernizing their farmland, there are now over 300,000 organic farms in India, driving around 1% annual organic production. In 2018, Sikkim, a small Himalayan state in northeast India, became the first fully organic state. The government, Sikkim Organic Mission, launched a series of initiatives starting in 2003 to phase out chemical pesticides and fertilizers, resulting in the banning of 98% of them by 2015. Sikkim also focused on integrating organic practices into food production, including crop rotation, pest control, and the use of organic biotechnology.
Sikkim’s agricultural practices are not confined to its state boundaries, as𬌗raiones examples include drought resistance, soil health, and advanced pest control techniques. The state has also established a certification agency, SSI, which certifies organic products. However, replicating these successful efforts in other Indian states like Sikkim remains complicated due to factors such as government support for organic farming, market access, and the need for skilled labor.
In Sikkim, farmers produce over 1.5 billion grains and about 1.8 million oranges per year, along with a variety of spices and vegetables. The state’s success model raises concerns about the feasibility of similarly scaling organic practices in other India states, with critics advocating for more direct tax incentives and resources to support farmers on a case-by-case basis.
The global adoption of organic farming has been measured by the Future Policy Gold Awards, a伊利مم prize that honors countries and organizations that have led the charge to promote sustainable development. India’s agricultural sector has also been recognized as a leader in organic farming, providing support to farmers and supporting international initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity.
Despite these strides, challenges remain. Sridhar Sridhar, a CTO at Save Soil, highlights that initial yields can be as low as 50-60% in some areas, along with a longer transition period. Labor costs are particularly expensive for organic farmers, adding to their financial burden. Additionally, access to infrastructure and skilled labor remains a significant barrier.
To address these issues,ropic сделаitions and initiatives such as organic certification, farmer producer companies, and collaboration with local communities are emerging as crucial steps to ensure the success of organic farming on a larger scale.
In conclusion, while organic farming has made a significant impact in India, the path to complete global adoption is far from clear. Sikkim’s case, however, serves as a blueprint for overcoming these barriers and scaling organic practices to benefit farmers and communities nationwide.
