A new hope for Organic Farming in India

The farm sector may have collapsed due to Covid-19, but amidst this unprecedented situation Indian farmers have a chance to Bounce Back. A shifting demand towards ecologically produced agricultural commodities has opened gates for immense agricultural expansion and repurposing of agriculture policies and practices for a healthier population. The ‘Mantra’ for seizing this opportunity and amplifying India’s trade-surplus in agricultural exports, is promoting unconventional organic farming with a stable Agri-exports policy.

A burgeoning population is diversifying its demand. It is a suitable time for farmers to start producing organic food which would help them fetch a high income, but they are still following staple cereals fundamentalism. They believe in taking minimal risks and make low profits. Agriculture for them is a poverty-stricken profession with a low potential for growth. Years of negligence, bad policy implementations, lack of support and infrastructural dearth have been causing constant disruptions in the farm economy, but the post Covid-19 India offers solutions to curb each of these problems: -

·      A new trend shall ensure a stable market and steady growth.

·      Government of India has now increased its focus on nutrition, so the ecological farmers shall benefit upcoming policy incentives, easy institutional loans, tax exemptions and marketing benefits.

·      Start-ups and delivery companies shall now join hands in sourcing fresh food directly from the farmers and deliver it to households.

Organizations such as ‘Greenpeace’, are working closely with the farmers to uplift their livelihoods. Greenpeace aims to establish ‘farmer feed communities’ in which generous donors, farmers and distressed communities form circles of solidarity. Safely grown nutritious food will be purchased at a fair price for the needy and it will ensure a sustainable living for farmers.

All this sounds amazing! Right? To achieve this individuals, agricultural institutes and business need to collaborate and provide farmers with the required infrastructure, expertise, monetary support and most importantly a market. According to ASSOCHAM, roughly a 100-billion-dollar industry awaits us. It’s time to bring back those 140 million smiles and aim for a sustainably crafted healthy future for India. So, let us go organic and grow organic.