Organic farming in india

Organic Farming-A Key for Women Organic Farming-A Key for Women Led Sustainable Rural Development Led Sustainable Rural Development

of Indiaof India

Dr. R.T. PatilDr. R.T. PatilFormer Director, CIPHET, LudhianaFormer Director, CIPHET, LudhianaChairman & ED, Benevole for PHT, Chairman & ED, Benevole for PHT,

BhopalBhopal

We need to recognize our We need to recognize our weakness and should weakness and should

work to strengthen our work to strengthen our strengthsstrengths

DefinitionDefinition“Organic agriculture is an ecological

production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”-Gold Mary

DefinitionDefinition“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”

Strengthening Livelihood in Strengthening Livelihood in Inorganic Agriculture Inorganic Agriculture

Requires Access to:•Good farming practices and knowledge, •Quality seeds and other production inputs,

•Post-harvest and agro-processing technologies,

•Food safety systems, •Markets and Credit.

Advantages of Organic Agriculture Advantages of Organic Agriculture

Protecting soil quality using organic material and encouraging biological activityIndirect provision of crop nutrients using soil microorganismsNitrogen fixation in soils using legumesWeed and pest control based on methods like crop rotation, biological diversity, natural predators, organic manuresRearing of livestock, availability of milk and basket of vegetation due to intercrops helps maintain good healthCare for the larger environment and conservation of natural habitats and wild life

Distribution of Land Holdings and Distribution of Land Holdings and Area Operated in India, 1995-96Area Operated in India, 1995-96

Size group Average area per holding

Percentage of holdings to

total holdings

Percentage of area operated

to total areaMarginal(Below 1.0 ha)

0.40 61.58 17.22

Small(1.0 – 2.0)

1.42 18.73 18.81

Semi-medium(2.0 – 4.0 ha.)

2.73 12.34 23.85

Medium (4.0 – 10.0ha.)

5.84 6.14 25.34

Large(10.0 ha. & Above)

17.21 1.21 14.79

All holdings 1.41 100.00 100.00

Role of Women in AgricultureRole of Women in Agriculture

•Women own less than 3% land despite sharing 70% activities•The traditional agricultural methods heavily utilized by them are environmentally friendly features, such as seed preservation, natural fertilizers and crop rotation techniques that do not exhaust delicate soil. •In reaction to the health and monetary costs of inorganic farming many women are turning to organic farming practices. •On a micro level women are organizing into collectives to exchange knowledge, organize organic seed sharing, to pursue organic and sustainable agricultural practices.

Why Organic Agriculture is Suitable for Why Organic Agriculture is Suitable for IndiaIndia

•Eighty percent of our farm holdings are small and marginal and resource poor- for them organic agricultural is attractive system•Organic farming requires 30% less input cost and gets minimum 10% more price for produce and has 90% productivity of conventional agriculture.•Organic farmer maintains animals for organic inputs like compost which also provides additional income from milk•Organic farmer is more involved in the farming systems hence easily adopts milk farming like poutry, goatry, piggery etc.•The Indian organic farm does not provide only main crop, but also high value intercrops and rabi organic produce•Proper collection, value addition and marketing of this extra produce will increase the income substantially

Organic AgricultureOrganic Agriculture

Badgley et al. 2007 compiled research from 293 different comparisons into a single study to assess the overall efficiency of the two agricultural systems.

• The researchers also found that while in developed countries, organic systems on average produce 92% of the yield produced by conventional agriculture,

• Organic systems produce 80% more than conventional farms in developing countries, because the materials needed for organic farming are more accessible than synthetic farming materials to farmers in some poor countries.

Role of Women in Village Level Role of Women in Village Level (SHG) Food Processing(SHG) Food Processing

• Making pickles • Preparing Jam, Jellies• Making variety of papads• Dehydration of exotic vegetables• Producing polish free dal• Production of hand pounded rice• Production of Ghee and joint marketing• Sale of such produce through Bhopal

Haat/Farmers MarketDevelop a Brand for Each Village for

Better Marketing

Components of Model Organic FarmComponents of Model Organic Farm

Facilitation of Organic Farming by Facilitation of Organic Farming by Corporate SectorCorporate Sector

• Work for healthy, ecologically balanced and sustainable lifestyles of marginal farmers and their community by providing end to end solutions in the organic foods sector by acting as a facilitator between the producer and end customer

• Play a stewardship role in empowering farmers by providing advisory services, training, infrastructure, processing facilities, quality control, marketing and branding.

• In partnership with organic farmers, produce high quality organic products for feed/fodder, cotton lint and dry groceries. The products will be outcome of sound ecological farming systems and socially accountable supply chain.

Thank youThank you

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