Organic Farming

Organic Farming

Agriculture is the main occupation in India. Two-thirds of the population is dependent on agriculture directly or indirectly. It is not merely a source of livelihood but a way of life. It is the main source of food, fodder and fuel. It is the basic foundation for most of the Indian population’s economic development. Unfortunately, farmers didn’t get good returns for the conventional produce they cultivate on their farms. The reality of the agricultural sector is that even if the production increases by 5%, the prices fall by 50%. However, organic produce is attracting better prices. Healthy, nutritious and safe food products are in great demand all over the world even from sub-districts and rural villages. But it seems like farmers are less likely to make such concentrated efforts. Many farmers are interested in organic farming; however, there are several obstacles and the major Challenges are as follows: 1. There is no assured system or buyer as well as no fair price for the organic produce. 2. Lack of standard technology and best practices used in organic crop production. Few farmers have tried on their own with little success. 3. National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) has approved organic seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides but they are out of reach for the farmers. 4. There is a low response from farmers to change cropping patterns immediately as they feel financial, they will make a profit with existing crops instead of trying organic crops. All these challenges are being addressed in an eco-friendly way at "MANAVLOK’s Organic Farming Program" to increase farmers' profits by reducing production costs along with ensuring safe, healthy and nutritious food for our people. This project is being run by MANAVLOK’s own fund and we succeeded in completing the three external Certification Body external audits for about 2500+ acres of land being converted into organic. 1000+ farmers from 48+ villages took active participation in the said project in the very first year. We plan to go for 4 ICS with about 2000 farmer families over 5000 acres of organic certified area in the coming 1-2 years.