Organic Farming in Tamilnadu (a State in India) Evidence From the Field

Abstract

Green Economy defined by UNEP as one that results in improved human wellbeing and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Green economy also refers to the resilient economy that provides a better quality of life for all within the ecological limits of the planet. Major countries and agencies are looking towards a green economy that provides path ways for sustainable development and poverty eradication. While discussing the concept of Green Economy it is also important to look at the concept of Green Growth. The key economic indicator that is used to measure the Green Economy’s Growth is referred as Green GDP. The potential economic and social impacts of environmental degradation are particularly important for developing countries in order to tackle many of the growth and development issues without compromising further growth and poverty reduction. The concept of Green growth has emerged as a new approach replacing the conventional economic growth model. The GDP refers to the Gross Domestic product generation Agriculture, Industrial and Service sectors. As on 2019, in addition to ensuring food security, agriculture has contributed 15.9% to the Indian GDP and employed 42.3% of its population despite its dependence on vagaries of monsoon. Agriculture continues to be the largest provider of livelihood in rural India and the livelihood of farmers are influenced by the demand and supply of agriculture products in the country and thereby influence the economy. The organic products are priced with a premium in the market in the country. The demand for organic products across the globe, especially in developed countries, has been growing rapidly. Globally, organic farming is practiced in 162 countries and 37 million ha of land are managed organically by 1.8 million agricultural households. The sale of organic food and drink is estimated to be 63 billion US dollar in 2011 internationally. The organic farm land area had increased by 3 percent when compared to 2010. The countries with large-scale organic farm land are Australia, Argentina and United State in that order. The main contributor of expansion of cultivated area under organic agriculture in Asia is India. The cultivated area under certified organic farming has grown 17 times in the last one decade in the country. In India, certified organic farming is undertaken in all the states and Union territories. States like Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim have been promoting Organic farming. The organic produce is increasingly preferred by major urban centers in India. Huge demand for Indian organic products especially tea, coffee, cotton etc., exists in international market. The organic produces like tea, herbs, and species from Tamil Nadu are widely sought after globally. The Tandon H.L.S et al (2007) have reviewed the fertilizer consumption in Indian Agriculture for the past five decades and concluded that the Integrated Nutrient Management would be the solution for the problems faced by Indian Agriculture. Gahukar R.T et al (2009) in his paper discussed about the Sustainable Agriculture in India at that time and brought up the future needs of Sustainable Agriculture in India with a series of recommendations. Jaganathan.D et al (2012) conducted a sample survey to assess the Knowledge Level Farmers on Organic Farming in India. Amarnath J.S et al (2012) looked at the economic aspects of organic farming in Tamil Nadu. Panneerselvam.P et al (2013) studied the impact of large-scale organic conversion and food production and food security in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. Amarnath J.S et al (2013) developed indicators for comparing sustainability in crop and diary production in Tamil Nadu. Vandana Tyagi et al (2017) discussed in detail the prospects and challenges of Green Economy in India. Kalyani.V et al (2018) concentrated briefly on various issues and prospects for organic farming in Tamil Nadu. Krishnaprabu.S et al (2019) focused on concept, application and prospects on Organic Farming in India. Jothi Sivagnanam.K et al (2019) dwelt on fertilizers’ consumption and soil health status in Tamil Nadu. Dr V. Bail Hans et al (2019) studied the relationship between the sustainable agriculture and economic growth especially in State Governments. Murugan.D et al (2020) studied the greening status of organic farming in wet and try land in Nagapattinam and Erode District of Tamil Nadu under various crops. Hinz et al (2020) concentrated on land consumption dynamics in Tamil Nadu under various scenarios. Amit Khurana et al (2020) studied the challenges and possibility in the organic and natural farming in India. Delabre et al (2021) deliberated on how sustainable food production and consumption will impact post 2020 global Bio Diversity Framework. This paper attempts probably for the first time to examine the data on consumption of inputs for evidence regarding the adaption of organic farming in the State.