Organic agriculture

Organic agriculture is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate external agriculture inputs, especially synthetic ones. Organic farming is not a new concept to India Indian farmers have distinction of using organics in agriculture from time immemorial.

Potentials


1. Potential organic producers
2. Organic by default
3. Research on traditional varieties
4. Links to markets
5. Certified organic agriculture
6. National organic certification
7. Protecting Indian farmers from foreign competition
8. Rising input prices
9. Reducing risk through diversification
10. Traditional foods
11. Rehabilitating watersheds

Constraints


1. Bias towards chemical farming
2. Misappropriation of local varieties
3. Hazardous chemicals
4. Certification of organic farming
5. Bias in incentives
6. Lack of research and extension support
7. Poor marketing
8. Misinformation and market power- Pesticide industries provides  misleading information to farmers.
9. Lack of awareness

Many areas in India are farmed in traditional way, untouched by chemical farming, so are" organic by default". Most of them are subsistence farms in remote and marginal areas.