This a presentation done in 2005 at a conference on organic agriculture in 2005

1. Understanding growth of
Organic Farming in India
D. Narasimha Reddy
Member, IFOAM-Asia Board

2. Present Scenario
• Crisis in Indian agriculture
• Suicides by farmers - Punjab and Andhra
Pradesh
• Modern farming has become an unviable• Modern farming has become an unviable
proposition
• Scarcity in natural resource inputs – reforms
in water
• Broken traditions
D. Narasimha Reddy

3. Optimistic Scenario
India is rediscovering organic
agriculture
Big scale in
• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• Corporate sector
• Individual farms• Karnataka
• Kerala
• North East
• Tamil Nadu
• Punjab
• Madhya Pradesh
• Individual farms
• Small Farmers
• Consumers
D. Narasimha Reddy

4. Organic production
• TeaTeaTeaTea (Orthodox, CTC, Green), CoffeeCoffeeCoffeeCoffee (Arabica,
Robusta), SpicesSpicesSpicesSpices (Pepper, Cardamom,
Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Garlic, Ginger,
Turmeric, Fenugreek, Fennel, Cumin,
Coriander, Sesame), CoconutsCoconutsCoconutsCoconuts, FruitsFruitsFruitsFruitsCoriander, Sesame), CoconutsCoconutsCoconutsCoconuts, FruitsFruitsFruitsFruits
((((Apples, pears, peaches, Mango, bananas,
pineapple, papaya, Apricots), DryDryDryDry FruitsFruitsFruitsFruits
(Chestnuts, Pear, mango, Cashew nuts),
VegetablesVegetablesVegetablesVegetables (Potatoes,Cabbage), Wheat,Wheat,Wheat,Wheat,
MaizeMaizeMaizeMaize andandandand Sorghum,Sorghum,Sorghum,Sorghum, RiceRiceRiceRice (Basmati & Other
varieties), Pulses,Pulses,Pulses,Pulses, Oilseeds,Oilseeds,Oilseeds,Oilseeds, CoarseCoarseCoarseCoarse grains,grains,grains,grains,
Honey,Honey,Honey,Honey, CottonCottonCottonCotton
D. Narasimha Reddy

5. Certified organic production
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Tea
Spices
Cotton
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
ACREAGE
Cotton
Herbal
Cereals
Total
D. Narasimha Reddy

6. Organic Potential
Estimated 20,000 -25,000 hectares
under transition
Non-certified food production - 56
percent of small farmers - less than 1percent of small farmers - less than 1
hectare
Estimated nearly 18 million hectares
of such land is available for
certification in India
D. Narasimha Reddy

7. Challenges
• Modern Organic movement is yet to
take deep, concrete roots in India.
• Policy paralysis
• Policy-level awareness is still lower
• Civil society, NGOs and individuals
D. Narasimha Reddy

8. Challenges
• No encouragement from
consumers
• Insufficient and inadequately• Insufficient and inadequately
developed market infrastructure
• Inherent structural deficiencies in
international organic product
market
D. Narasimha Reddy

9. Challenges
• No proper institutional framework
• Large-scale environmental
degradationdegradation
• There is huge shortage of organic
inputs
D. Narasimha Reddy

10. Indian Organic Movement
High potential for growth
Indian Freedom movementIndian Freedom movement
Bangalore Declaration – women as
focus
D. Narasimha Reddy

11. Indian Organic Movement
“Road to Solidarity”
Stakeholders
Collective thinking
Joint-action programme
D. Narasimha Reddy

12. Working Areas
1. Consumer education on food quality
2. Extension and training of farmers
3. Domestic Market Development
4. Promotion of Research
5. Indigenous knowledge promotion
6. Biodiversity and Natural Resource
Management
D. Narasimha Reddy

13. Working Areas
7. Promotion of Indian standards
8. Development of Educational Material
9. Policies for Organic Input Industry9. Policies for Organic Input Industry
10. National / State Organic Agricultural
Policy
11. Networking of people and association
12. Animal Husbandry, Farm Implements
and Cottage Industry
D. Narasimha Reddy

14. Trends and Strengths
OA gaining importance - Factors
• Environmental
• Socio-economic
• Developmental
• Cultural
D. Narasimha Reddy

15. Trends and Strengths
• Rise in consumer demand in
developed countries and
developing countriesdeveloping countries
• New market opportunities for
farmers and businesses
D. Narasimha Reddy

16. Trends and Strengths
OA as a tradition
• Source for information
• Source for role models
D. Narasimha Reddy

17. Indian Standards
• Institute for
Integrated Rural
Development
Government bodies
• Spices Board
• Tea BoardDevelopment
• IFOAM
membership in
India
• Tea Board
• Coffee Board
• Union Ministry of
Commerce
D. Narasimha Reddy

18. Indian Certification Programme
In June 2001, under the NPOP, a set of 4 volumes,
concerning: Accreditation regulations,
Accreditation criteria, Accreditation procedure
and Application forms were published.
On 12 June 2001, by a Public notice No.19 (RE-On 12 June 2001, by a Public notice No.19 (RE-
2001/1997-2002 government regulation of export
of organic produce. “An agricultural product will
be allowed to be exported as organic product
only if it is produced, processed or packed under a
valid Organic Certificate issued by a certifying
agency duly accredited by one of the four
Accreditation Agencies.”
D. Narasimha Reddy

19. Appointed Accreditation
Agencies in India
• Agricultural & Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA)Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• Coffee Board
• Tea Board
• Spices Board
D. Narasimha Reddy

20. Foreign certifying agencies in
India
IMO
SKALSKAL
ECOCERT
NATURLAND
SOIL ASSOCIATION
D. Narasimha Reddy

21. What is needed?
• National organic networks
• Targeting poor people
• Traditional knowledge systems
D. Narasimha Reddy

22. What is needed?
• Multifunctional rural development
strategies
• Widespread market development• Widespread market development
and avoid dependency
• Encouraging sustainable lifestyles
and technologies
D. Narasimha Reddy