SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING

S MAKHIJAStrategic Advisor & VP

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, Jalgaon

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING

• Organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc) and rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING

• Organic farming is a farming method that aims to work in harmony with nature rather than against it

• This involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the environment.

• It includes keeping and building a good soil structure and soil fertility, as well as controlling pests, diseases and weeds

• It produces only pure crops without any toxic materials which are harmful to human life, adds value to the crops produced and increases the income of the farmers .

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING

Manure based fertilizer farming system Vs Synthetic chemical fertilizer farming system.

• The fields have more organic carbon. The increased soil health in the organic farms results in considerably lower incidence of disease.

• Soil health indicators such as nitrogen mineralization potential and microbial abundance and diversity are higher in the organic farms.

Organic farming

Key characteristics

Protecting the long term fertility of soils by maintaining

organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological

activity through careful mechanical intervention.

Providing crop nutrients indirectly using relatively

insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to

the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.

Key characteristics

Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and

biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective

recycling of organic materials including crop residues,

livestock manures and even fish excreta.

Weed, disease and pest control by relying primarily on

crop rotations, natural predators, diversity, disease

resistant varieties and limited (preferably minimal)

thermal, biological and chemical intervention

POTENTIAL ORGANIC FARMING

• GROWING NUMBER OF HEALTH CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS.

• DISCERNING CONSUMERS WITH HIGH BUYING POWER.

• HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CLINICS• EXPORT TO EUROPE, USA AND JAPAN FOR

SUPER MALLS, INDUSTRIES MANUFACTURING BABY FOODS, ICE CREAMS, FOOD ITEMS AND ADDITIVES.

ORGANIC FARMING PRINCIPLE

ORGANIC FARMING PRINCIPLE

Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of

soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible

Healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health

of animals and people

Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance through

the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats

and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity.

PROBLEMS

• SMALL GROWERS & SMALL SAMPLE SIZE.• PRE CONVERSION PAIN.• DIFFICULTY IN CREATING BUFFER ZONES• LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.• RELIABILITY.• TRACEABILITY.

WAY FORWARD

• TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT.• MIXED FARMING.• STRICT ADHERANCE TO NPOP AND RELEVANT

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR EXPORT.• FORMATION OF FPOs AND COOPERATIVES.• SHIFTING BULK PRODUCTION OVERSEAS TO

AFRICA etc.

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING

• Those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers

WATER STEWARDSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIC

AGRICULTURE

Thank You