Organic Horticulture in India

Abstract

During the previous three decades, organic produce has attracted the attention of a growing health-conscious population across the globe. Both international and domestic communities are becoming aware of issues like agrochemical residues, produce quality, and food safety. Worldwide, over 37.5 million ha of land (0.87% of total agricultural land) is being managed organically by 1.9 million producers in 164 countries. In addition, there is another 31 million ha certified for wild harvest collection. Global sales of organic products have reached U.S. $75 billion, with the U.S. and Europe as the largest consumers. The concept of organic farming is not new to the Indian farming community. Several forms of organic farming are successfully practiced in diverse climates, particularly in rain-fed, tribal mountains, and hilly areas of the country. Many of the forest products of economic importance, such as herbs and medicinal plants are in this category by default. The report of the Task Force on Organic Farming appointed by the Government of India noted the vast areas of the country where limited amounts of synthetic chemicals are used, although they have low productivity, but also which could have unexploited potential for organic agriculture. As of March 2014, India had 4.72 million ha under an organic certification process, including 0.6 million ha of cultivated agricultural land and 4.12 million ha of wild harvest collection forest area. During 2012-2013, India exported 165,262 million tons of organic products across 135 commodities valued at $312 million. The domestic market for organic commodities is also growing at an annual growth rate of 15%-20%.

Organic Vegetable Cultivation

“…There is immense scope for organic production of vegetable crops in India since the agricultural sector has enormous organic resources like crop residues, livestock and other bio-products from agro industries. Organic farming is growing at a rapid pace among Indian farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly in rainfed and hilly areas where fertilizer consumption is less than 25 kg/ha/year [13].…”

A Market Study of Organic Food Products Available in Udaipur City, India

“…India is exporting organic products to all the continents of the world of which the largest share goes to EU (44.12%) followed by USA (19.2%). Mitra and Devi (2015) reported that worldwide, over 37.5 million ha of land (0.87% of total agricultural land) is being managed organically by 1.9 million producers in 164 countries. In addition, there is another 31 million ha certified for wild harvest collection.…”

Organic farming: Present status, scope and prospects in northern India

“…Most of the farms in remote and marginal areas are subsistence type. Organic farming is growing rapidly among Indian farmers and entrepreneurs, especially in low productivity areas, rain-fed zones, hilly areas and the northeastern states where fertilizer consumption is less than 25 kg/ha/year (Mitra and Devi, 2016). In fact, North Eastern Region (NER) is considered as home to some niche crops like Assam lemon, Joha rice, medicinal rice and passion fruits which has high market demands and accounts for 45 per cent of total pineapple production in India (Munda et al, 2007).…”

“…In fact, North Eastern Region (NER) is considered as home to some niche crops like Assam lemon, Joha rice, medicinal rice and passion fruits which has high market demands and accounts for 45 per cent of total pineapple production in India (Munda et al, 2007). Uttaranchal and Northeast states have declared themselves "organic-farming states" where as Mizoram and Sikkim declared their intentions to move to total organic farming (Mitra and Devi, 2016). Sikkim has become India's first fully organic state by implementing organic practices on approximately 75,000 ha of agricultural land (Sikkim, 2016).…”