Organic Farming: The New Cash Crop for Indian farmers
September 6, 2007 at 10:51 am (Green Food, Greening India)
Organic farming seems to be the new growth area for Indian farmers.
So what exactly is a Cash crop?
In agriculture, a cash crop is a crop which is grown for money. The term is used to differentiate from subsistence crops, which are those fed to the producer’s own livestock or grown as food for the producer’s family. In earlier times cash crops were usually only a small (but vital) part of a farm’s total yield, while today, especially in the developed countries, almost all crops are mainly grown for cash. In non-developed nations, cash crops are usually crops which attract demand in more developed nations, and hence have some export value.
The Mint reports that 9 India states have applied to the “Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), a government-run export promotion body, asking for accreditation to do the same.”
In the seven years since the National Programme for Organic Production was notified by the government, only 11 accreditations have been issued by Apeda, of which only one is to a state government organization, the Uttaranchal State Organic Certification Agency. The rest are international private agencies.
“Now, nine states, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, have submitted proposals for approval (for accreditation),” says K.S. Money, chairman, Apeda.
[...]
According to a study by the US department of agriculture, consumers in the US and the European Union account for 95% of the world’s retail sales of organic foods, estimated at more than $25 billion (Rs1.03 trillion).In 2005-06, India exported organic products worth $228 million.
Currently, India ranks 33 in the world in terms of total land under organic cultivation and 88 in terms of the ratio of agricultural land under organic crops to total farming area. With an eye on the market, a few states have begun to take organic farming seriously.
Interestingly, the state of Orissa, which has no policy for Organic farming has the largest organic farming production. Why?
“If you see, organic farming is working out in states which have a higher percentage of smaller farmers. It is difficult to push farmers, who own large tracts of land, to go organic. These farmers have been using pesticides for years and years,” says Arun Chandra, executive director, Chetna Organic Farmers Association, a group representing 7,500 organic farmers across five states.
The market is clearly there for the taking.
Organic farming in Kerala « World is Green said,
September 11, 2007 at 10:11 am
[...] Previously we reported that 9 Indian states are looking at organic farming to tap into the $37 billion global market. That is good. The Mint reports that Kerala is planning to get into the field by converting all its cultivable land into organic farms in 5 years. “The policy will be ambitiously aimed at freeing Kerala of all chemical fertilizers and pesticides in five years. This is with a long-term vision of ensuring that future generations here do not consume food contaminated by toxic pesticides and fertilizers. The strategy is clear: Convert 20% of the cultivable land to organic farming using biofertilizers and biopesticides every year so that total conversion can be achieved in five years,” adds Vijayan. Currently, there are around 7,000 certified organic farmers covering a minuscule area of 5,750ha, when the net sown area in the state is 2.13 million hectares. [...]
Osbert said,
September 18, 2007 at 11:52 pm
[...] The market is clearly there for the taking[...]
Need to be aware of the rising concern about ‘food miles’ among ethical consumers. People are now asking themselves - which is better for the environment, local non-organic food, or organic food which has travelled a long distance.
See Soil Association on this:
http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/b0062cf005bc02c180256a6b003d987f/b14d337e65e2dcfa8025731c0059461f?OpenDocument
And this article on local food:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/9/11/155054/969
Regards
Osbert.org
Suhit Anantula said,
September 24, 2007 at 9:41 am
Osbert:
Yes, there is a rising concern on food miles. However, this concern may not always be true.
For more check this: http://worldisgreen.com/2007/07/26/food-miles-and-sustainability/
Cheers,
Suhit
rajesh said,
October 4, 2007 at 1:26 am
sir,
I want new technology for organic fertiliget wihch come form research center. please provide it .
Dilip Dhaker said,
October 18, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Sir
Those who want to go for organic Agriculture can contact me ,I will help in all means from Input recomendation,Organic farming trainings,Organic Certification,procurement linkages,etc.I m working with 3000 Organic farmers
nitin bhati said,
December 17, 2007 at 1:33 pm
it’s good to read this page on organic produts but more happy to see comment from mr. dilip dhaker. who are ready to help people who want to do something related 2 organic oroducts. dilip sir,i’ll b more happy if u give me your contact no.because i want 2 start my projrct on organic products.and want 2 contribute in indian economy.lps provide ur.mail id
anoop joshi said,
March 30, 2008 at 5:03 pm
i have a good amount of land in dehradun & very interested to tie up with companies promoting cash crops like they should guide us and end of the day they should ensure us of profitability too. kindly help us.
anoop joshi said,
March 30, 2008 at 5:08 pm
we will appreciate if Dilip ji you can guide us or kindly provide us with your contact no. so that we can get in touch with you and take your input.
sangram jena said,
April 14, 2008 at 9:08 pm
hi,
I am qulified professionals working in an MNC
I would like to start farming in Orissa, having 20 acres of agriculture land
doesnot know much about farming
Need help
DEVI LAL DHAKER said,
May 28, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I WANT TO NEW TENCOLOGY FOR ORGANIC FARMING I WANT TO TRAINING FOR ORGANIC FARMING FIELD WORK IN INDIA WHICH CENTER HERE I TRIEING MY TOTAL LAND 180HECTORS
Asif Ali khan said,
June 23, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Dear Mr. Dilip Dhaker,
Sir could u please give me your contact no. I want to start organinc farming and i need your valuable inpts regarding the same