Soil Health:
Organic farming significantly improves soil health and nutrient availability by enhancing soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Practices like adding organic manures, using legumes, crop rotation, residue recycling, and biofertilizers improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. It is particularly beneficial for semi-arid and arid dryland soils by improving water retention and nutrient supply.
Water Management:
Organic farming reduces the potential for water runoff and erosion through conservation practices like rotation crops, cover crops, intercrops, and compost, which improve soil quality and encourage water infiltration. However, more systemic studies are needed on its impact on water use efficiency in India.
Biodiversity:
By avoiding synthetic chemicals and promoting diverse cropping systems, organic farming enhances biodiversity, including beneficial insects and microorganisms, contributing to a more balanced ecosystem.
Despite the benefits and government support, organic farming in India faces several challenges:
Certification Process:
The certification process can be cumbersome and expensive, especially for small farmers, hindering their ability to access premium markets.
Market Access and Linkages:
A significant bottleneck is the lack of assured market support for organic products. Farmers often struggle to find buyers willing to pay premium prices and are forced to sell in conventional markets.
Yield Variability and Transition Period: Initial yield reductions during the conversion period (2-3 years) can be a deterrent for farmers.
Input Availability and Cost:
While reducing synthetic inputs, the availability and cost of quality organic inputs and bio-pesticides can be an issue if not produced on-farm.
Labor Intensity:
The higher labor requirement for tasks like weeding and manure preparation can be a challenge in areas with labor shortages or high labor costs.
Knowledge and Capacity Building:
There is a need for better knowledge dissemination and capacity building among farmers regarding organic practices and standards, especially for uncertified farmers.
Investment:
Farmers, particularly women, face a lack of investment for the transition, including costs for transportation to distant markets, water reserves, and certification.