Organic farming: Status and constraints

The success achieved in terms of self-reliance in food production over the last five decades has come at a price in terms of adverse impact on environment affecting physical, financial and general health of the economy. In the wake of various problems and emerging awareness about health hazards due to modern inputs use as well as new avenues in world trade, farmers are turning towards organic agriculture. Adoption of organic farming in Punjab state is lagging behind as compared to national scenario. Punjab comprises only 0.12 percent of total area under organic production in the country. During last five years, production of tea, coffee, spices, fruit and vegetables has shown an increase under organic farming, while of cereals, pulses and oilseeds has declined in the country. But Indian organic exports have shown an increase of 18.5 percent between 2007?08 and 2009?10 and an increase of 15.6 percent in the export value. These products have been well accepted in developed nations of America and Europe. Cumbersome procedure to get organic certification, lack of political will, lack of awareness, initially low yields during conversion period, shortage of organic inputs and supporting infrastructure are the main hindrances in adoption of organic agriculture.