Courses › … › agronomy › agro107 principles of organic farming
Lesson
01 of 8

🌱 Introduction to Organic Farming

Core concepts, principles, history, and Indian status of organic farming.

Organic farming is not simply farming without chemicals. It is a full production philosophy in which soil life, biodiversity, nutrient recycling, and ecological balance are treated as the foundation of crop production.

Definition and Scope

Organic farming is a holistic production system that sustains the health of soil, plants, animals, ecosystems, and people by relying on ecological processes and locally adapted management rather than synthetic inputs.

Its scope includes:

  • soil fertility management,
  • biological nutrient supply,
  • ecological pest regulation,
  • residue recycling,
  • safe food production,
  • premium and niche market opportunities.
In exam language, the simplest definition is: organic farming is ecology-based farming with minimal or no synthetic external inputs.

Principles of Organic Farming

The widely accepted IFOAM principles are:

  1. Health: maintain the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet
  2. Ecology: work with natural cycles and living systems
  3. Fairness: support justice in livelihoods, trade, and environment
  4. Care: follow precaution and responsibility toward future generations

These principles show that organic farming is both a production system and an ethical framework.

History and Indian Milestones

Important milestones include:

  • Sir Albert Howard’s work on composting and soil health,
  • formation of IFOAM in 1972,
  • India’s NPOP launch in 2000,
  • operationalization of NPOP in 2001,
  • PKVY launch in 2015 for cluster-based promotion,
  • Sikkim becoming India’s first fully organic state.

These milestones are important because they show how organic farming moved from philosophy to formal policy and certification.

Current Status of Organic Farming in India

India is among the leading countries in terms of number of organic producers. Organic farming is prominent in:

  • spices,
  • basmati rice,
  • tea,
  • coffee,
  • cotton,
  • pulses,
  • oilseeds,
  • niche horticultural crops.

Leading regions and states are associated with favorable policy support, export orientation, or low-input traditional systems.

Organic farming in India includes both certified commercial systems and traditional low-input systems that are moving toward formal recognition.

Why Organic Farming Matters

Organic farming is often promoted because it may:

  • improve soil organic matter,
  • reduce synthetic residue concerns,
  • support ecological balance,
  • create market differentiation,
  • fit smallholder recycling-based systems in many regions.

At the same time, it also requires careful management of nutrient supply, weeds, certification, and market access.

Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic Exam-Focus Point
Meaning Ecology-based farming with avoidance of synthetic inputs
Core principles Health, Ecology, Fairness, Care
India’s regulatory base NPOP
Promotion scheme PKVY
Famous Indian example Sikkim as first fully organic state

References

2 sources • [1] [2]

Lesson Doubts

Ask questions, get expert answers