Organic change

Donald Soubam *

Lamlong Keithel as seen on September 11 2016 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

The need for change in our existing food production system to secure a sustainable future is increasingly being felt. India is unique with its large number of farmers and consumers and holds promise in achieving a food system which is socially just, economically feasible and environmentally sound.

Organic Farming is the most suitable and viable form of food production and is different from the conventional agriculture which emphasizes on maximising food production by using agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. The result of continuous use of such inputs has been devastating on our health, soil, water and biodiversity.

Many of the poor farmers also gained little because of their lack of access to agricultural inputs and technologies which were mostly tailored to the rich farmers.

Resource-poor farmers with small landholding and limited access to agricultural technology who didn’t benefit from the Green Revolution stand to gain the most in this new transition.

Organic Farming is the system of producing food without using agrochemicals. It sustains the health of soils, biodiversity and ecology and involves practices like crop rotation, composting, use of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

It is also climate smart meaning that it mitigates global warming by not using fossil fuel based agrochemicals and also helps in recycling carbon from the atmosphere back into the soil.

Crop diversity in organic farms are high and makes the farm resilient to incidences of pest and diseases and strengthens food security of poor farmers.

The critics assume that Organic Farming cannot feed the billions of people in the world. They emphasize that it will lead to reduction of yield as compared to conventional farming and claim that it would make the precarious food situation even more unstable.

However, we must realize that it will be impossible to feed the ever growing population if we continue to unsustainably use the soil and water resources which is needed for growing food.

It is important to note that many parts of the world is facing food scarcity not because of less food production but because of low purchasing power and lack of access to food.

With increased policy support, research and technical assistance, the yield gap can be narrowed down or eliminated. Focusing only on high yields while neglecting the environment, health and social condition of the farmers is unsustainable and risky.

Tremendous economic and social benefits can be realized as the high price of the organic produce and low investment required in organic cultivation will improve the financial condition of the farmers.

By organizing farmers into groups like Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), they will have better bargaining power of their produces, gain access to new markets and even influence policy.

The entrepreneurial avenues of marketing organic produces will also increase given their high demands. Traditional and local knowledge of farming community are used and hence protects this invaluable heritage and wisdom of our forefathers from loss. Organic Farming is mostly skill-based which helps in building capacity and promote innovation among farmers.

Determined to make farming sustainable, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India has initiated schemes like Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) and ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana (PKVY).

It is critical that the State Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, especially now at this early stage of diffusion of knowledge, should promote awareness of the importance of Organic Farming.Manipur can gain a lot from these new initiatives as the farmers of the state uses minimal agrochemicals and high value export oriented commodities like Chak-hao, Pineapple, Ginger, Turmeric , Tamenglong Orange, Kachai Lemon and King Chilli are cultivated.

The success of Organic Farming depends on accessibility, affordability and availability of organic inputs like organic fertilizers and organic pesticides.The certification process which is essential in declaring the farm and its produce as organic needs to be farmer friendly, cheap and simple.

Public policy which encourages organic vegetable gardening and composting of kitchen wastesin homes of urban areaswill also complement other on-going schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyanand benefit individuals and community.

Sustainable Agriculture is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals and the potential of Organic Farming are immense in achieving it. This natural progression to a more responsible farming will also be given strength and support by the farming community , consumers and stakeholders as they will keep on accepting the endearing values and ethics present in Organic Farming. Let us sow the seeds of change. No answers can be immediate but the harvest looks green.