🌱 What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming is an agricultural method in which chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, or genetically modified seeds are not used. It only involves the use of natural resources such as cow dung manure, vermicompost, neem oil, organic pesticides, etc.
Main Objectives:
- Maintain soil fertility
- Pollution-free farming
- Safe food for both farmers and consumers
- Conservation of natural biodiversity
🧪 Types of Organic Farming
- Biological Organic Farming:
- Use of green manure, bio-fertilizers, vermicompost
- Traps and organic pesticides for pest control
- Integrated Organic Farming:
- Crops + Animal husbandry + Fisheries + Beekeeping
- Production through biological cycles
- Permaculture:
- Symbiotic system of plants and animals
- Farming according to the natural system of the land
- Biodynamic Farming:
- Farming according to the position of the moon and planets
- Use of special types of manure and techniques
🧭 How to Do Organic Farming? (Step-by-Step Process)
Step 1: Land Preparation
- Stop using chemical fertilizers (at least 2–3 years in advance)
- Improve soil with green manure, cow dung manure, and bio-fertilizers
Step 2: Seed Selection
- Select indigenous/non-GMO seeds
- Seed treatment with cow urine, neem extract, or Jeevamrit
Step 3: Use of Organic Fertilizers and Manures
- Vermicompost, NADEP compost, Panchagavya
- Cow dung manure, green manure, cow urine-based solutions
Step 4: Pest Control
- Neem oil, garlic-ginger solution, Dashparni extract
- Traps (pheromone, sticky), bird conservation
Step 5: Irrigation
- Drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation
- Special focus on water conservation
Step 6: Crop Rotation
- Do not sow the same crop repeatedly
- Rotate pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, etc.
🧰 Requirements for Organic Farming
- Fertile land – free from chemicals
- Natural resources – cow dung, cow urine, crop residues
- Technical knowledge – organic methods and disease control
- Market linkage – to sell organic products
- Contact with certification agency – for certification
🏢 How to Get Organic Farming Certification from the Government of India?
📜 Why is Organic Certification Important?
- To sell products as “organic”
- Recognition in national and international markets
- To avail government subsidies and schemes
Main Certification Agencies:
- PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System):
- Free for small farmers
- Group-based process
- Website: https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in
- NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production):
- Certification under APEDA
- Required for export
- Website: https://apeda.gov.in
Certification Process:
- Contact the certification agency
- Inspection of land and records
- Monitoring of farming practices (1–3 years)
- Testing of crop samples
- Issuance of certificate
- Annual renewal required
🎯 Government Schemes and Support in India
| Scheme Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) | Support for organic farming under PGS (up to ₹50,000/hectare) |
| National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) | Support for availability of organic inputs and establishment of processing units |
| RKVY – Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana | Grant for training, marketing, and equipment |
| Agri-Export Policy | Promotion of export of organic products |
🛒 Major Platforms to Sell Organic Products
- ApniDukaan / Organic India / BigBasket (Online marketplaces)
- FPOs and farmers’ markets
- Local organic markets and haats
✅ Conclusion
Organic farming is a sustainable, eco-friendly, and consumer-safe agricultural practice. Although it requires some extra effort and time at the beginning, its long-term benefits are positive for health, the environment, and farmers’ income.
