
Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley announced a number of measures to help the drought struck farming sector in the Union Budget 2016-17. A Long-Term Irrigation Fund will be set up to help farmers in the drought-prone areas. Organic farming will be encouraged in those areas that are rain fed and which make up almost 55 percent of arable land. To promote organic farming the government has launched two important schemes one is the ‘Parmparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana’. Through this scheme, 5 lakh acres of land will be brought under organic farming over the next three years. The second scheme is called the ‘Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region.’ This scheme hopes to add value to the organic produce that is grown in the North East region of India so that they can find a ready domestic as well as export market. A sum of Rs.412crore has been allocated for the two schemes.
Besides the two schemes at least 5 lakh farm ponds and wells and 10 lakh, compost pits will be dug in the rainfed areas. Compost pits will be used to produce organic manure. More farmers will be brought under the Soil Health Card Scheme so they can make informed use of fertilizers as they will be able to get information about the nutrient level of the soil. The government has also approved the conversion of city waste into compost and fertilizer companies will market city compost which will help to increase crop yield along with judicious use of chemical fertilizers.
Organic farming is something that is being encouraged all over the world because it not only helps local farmers market their produce but also balances the ecology in a way that helps retain soil fertility and control pest problems. Organic farming prevents the problems from occurring and so it conserves the agro-ecosystem. Damage to the environment is discerned only after it has occurred but with organic farming, the natural resources are prevented from degrading, the soil remains stable and nutrient-rich, waste is recycled, natural pollination is encouraged and the habitats of animals remain intact which is important for the eco-system to survive. The biggest advantage of organic farming is that it reduces dependence on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Agriculture is conducted on the principles of crop rotation, organic ‘green’ manure, biological pest control and natural soil formation.
The organic farming body called the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) defines organic farming as “Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved…”
All over the world, the use of chemicals in agriculture is being discouraged as it has encouraged pollution and climate change. Organic farming on the other hand
- encourages the well-being of the soil, plants, animals, humans and the entire earth
- food is healthier and more nutritious and encourages good quality of life
- resources can be preserved for future generations
- organic farming methods work on the cycles of nature
While organic food could be a little costlier it is healthier and full of nutrients. Research has shown as compared to conventionally grown foods organic foods have more antioxidants or polyphenols as compared to inorganic produce. There is a lower incidence of detectable pesticide residue in organic foods whereas in inorganic foods it is four times higher. Organic crops also have lower concentrations of cadmium and nitrogen.
Organic food products are marketed under a certificate that marks the foods as being organic. In India standards for organic products were established in 2000 when the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) was established. The NPOP standards for production or organic foods and accreditation system are recognized by the European Commission and Switzerland and the USDA as being equivalent to standards in their countries. These countries are willing to import Indian organic products if they are certified by the accredited Certification Bodies of India.
RAJESH says
eop licence are neccesary after having fssai licence ?