Agri Roadmap for Organic Farming in Bihar

On the launch of an agricultural roadmap for Bihar, President Droupadi Murmu called for climate-friendly agricultural practices and suggested that the state’s farmers take up organic cultivation.

About Organic Farming:

• Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals - largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. since time immemorial.
• The primary aim of organic farming is to help soil stay in good health through the use of biological wastes, organic wastes and bio-fertilizers.
• Using organic manures help in sustainable crop production along with a pollution-free environment.
• The philosophy underlying organic farming of integration of the elements – soil, water, microbes, and ‘waste’ products, forestry, and agriculture is the correct recipe for sustainable use of natural resources, which are coming under severe stress due to ever-increasing requirement of food and feedstock for agri-based industry.
• This method avoids or excludes use of synthetic inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, etc.

Need for Organic Farming:

• The need for organic farming in India arises from the unsustainability of agriculture production and the damage caused to ecology through the conventional farming practices.
• The present system of agriculture which we call 'conventional' and practiced the world over evolved in the western nations as a product of their socio-economic environment which promoted an overriding quest for accumulation of wealth.
• This method of farming adopted by other countries is inherently self-destructive and unsustainable.
• The unsustainability of Indian agriculture is caused by the modern farming methods which have badly affected/damaged production resources and the environment.
• Other reasons include;
  • Decline in rainfall.
  • Water Conservation through various measures.
  • Climate resilient agriculture to save water.
  • Growing demand for organic food.

Recent government initiatives to promote organic farming:

• With the aim of assisting farmers to adopt organic farming and improve remunerations due to premium prices, two dedicated programs namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) andParamparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) were launched in 2015 to encourage chemical-free farming, said Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. 
• With the simultaneous thrust given by the Agri-export Policy 2018, India can emerge as a major player in global organic markets.
  • The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice, and pulses, which were instrumental in driving an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs 5151 crore.
• Infusion of digital technology:The organic e-commerce platform jaivikkheti.in is being strengthened for directly linking farmers with retail as well as bulk buyers.