Organic farming: This’s how India traditionally grew its food  

Written by M. Manaswini

Edited by: Anuradha Miraji

India, the land of farmers, has modernized farming in the recent decades with the compulsion to feed its growing population. Although the ratio of population and food production differed, India had struggled with feeding ever-increasing mouths with low food production. So, we opted for intensive farming to meet demand and supply.

We looked for shortcuts by adopting modern technology and harnessed populist scientific methods, which increased production and helped us feed more stomachs. But this came with brutal side effects with the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, artificial hormones, and synthetic inputs. Then the need to protect the deteriorating soil, livestock and our own health dawned on us.

Organic farming came as the perfect solution because it uses everything naturally available to grow food. Standard sterilized compost, for instance, is biologically treated with high-temperature decomposed plant and food waste. Recycled organic materials help maintain soil quality and its water-retention.

India, the land of farmers, has modernized farming in the recent decades with the compulsion to feed its growing population. Although the ratio of population and food production differed, India had struggled with feeding ever-increasing mouths with low food production. So, we opted for intensive farming to meet demand and supply.

Also, organic farming uses chemicals existing in nature. Organic farmers avoid use of any lab-made or synthetic chemicals.

Weed management or control of plant-feeders

Many insects and pests feed on plants. Farmers usually get rid of them spraying pesticides. Organic farmers handle it differently such as with mowing and cutting in which they remove the top weed’s top growth. In another method called flame weeding, heat is used to kill weeds. There is also the method called mulching where farmers build a barrier with film and fabric to stop the weed from growing further.

Livestock

A huge part of farming, livestock is forced into adulteration, injection, genetic modification, and drugging. Organic farming ensures that the animals are fed organic food and are pastured.

Is there an organisation to promote organic farming?

All-India Organic Farmers Society (AIOFS) is the leading farming body for organic farmers set up in 2007. It trained 10,000 farmers with right skills and techniques along with implementation of IMM and IPM techniques. They also trained them in latest methods in soil and water management.

AIOFS produces wheat, barley, rice, gram, urud, moong, rajma, carrot, tomato, onion, garlic, and brinjal.

Organic farming is obviously a healthier choice, but why are there fewer takers?

Private players flooded the market with artificial chemicals, fertilizers and seeds   promising significantly greater yield than the organic varieties. Farmers chose the profitable option. Gradually, more farmers went the inorganic way as time went by.

Can we bring them back to organic farming?

As consumers, we have a choice to decide the food that would nourish our body. If more consumers opt for organic farming, farmers will be forced to adopt organic methods.