Organic Farming “journey to the roots” .

What is organic farming : The introduction of chemicals in farming got many delirious at the start Yields exploded , the soil was healthy , Any damage brought about by chemical fertilizers was hardly noticeable. Pests had not developed resistance to the chemicals. The technology spread across the world as it was considered the revolution in agriculture.

But comes with a curse : come with a host of problems including health related diseases like cancer, pollution, degradation of soil  and water, and impact on domestic animals.

Organic farming is a technique cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing  pollution .

Differences Organic Non organic will not use such chemicals to get rid of the weed problem. Instead, he will physically weed out sprinkling natural based fertilizers such as manure, bone meal or shellfish fertilizer will not soak his seeds in any chemical solution nor irrigate the newly planted seeds using water with added chemicals. use weedicide to exterminate weeds before seeds are sown, will fertilize the soil using petroleum based Chemically will soak the seeds in fungicides and pesticides to keep insects and pests at bay.

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) established in 1972 for organic farming organizations defines goal of organic farming as: “Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved…”

Reasons For Organic Farming Foods from organic farms are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins, enzymes, minerals and other micro-nutrients. Natural and better taste. to prevent pesticides consumed by the population stem from poultry, meat, eggs, fish and dairy . To conserve agricultural diversity of crops which have been wiped out.

Helps us stay healthy: Longer shelf–life: Organic plants have greater metabolic and structural integrity in their cellular structure than conventional crops. Organic farming methods are eco-friendly . Lower prices: There is a big misconception that organic foods are relatively expensive. The truth is they are actually cheaper because they don’t require application of expensive pesticides, insecticides, and weedicides.

Advantages & disadvantages : Low production cost as no need to buy expensive chemical & fertilizer . Healthier farm workers . In long term it saves energy & protect the environment . Slows down global warming. Fewer residues in food . Animals & plant can live in same place in natural way ( biodiversity ). Pollution on ground water is stopped . Disadvantages : Expensive as farmers do not get as much out of their land . Need more workers . Marketing & distribution is not so efficient as food is produced in smaller amounts . Food illnesses may happen more often.

On 18 January 2016 ,Prime Minister narendra Modi declared Sikkim as India’s first and only organic agriculture state.

Sikkim organic a step towards a better future “We don't only think of the produce from our farms. We also think about what we give back to our farms to keep the soil healthy”

Overlooked by Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim has achieved many distinctions in recent years, including that of being the cleanest state in India. The state has also earned praise for making its agriculture free of chemicals, achieving its target in January 2016 , becoming 100% organic after 13 years of sustained efforts.

Dr.Pawan Kumar Chamling’s organic mission in Sikkim is the antithesis of the 1960s green revolution, when the Indian government, desperate to avoid a repeat of the catastrophic Bengal famine of 1943 – in which some 3 million people starved to death – imported grain and farming techniques from the west. These promised year after year of bumper crops. The farming techniques produced dramatic increases in yield, and new prosperity for farmers, especially in northern states such as Punjab and Haryana. India went from being a food-deficient country to a leading agricultural power. Food prices fell, but the farming methods took their toll on the environment – increased water use, soil degradation and chemical run-off – raising questions about the sustainability of such practices.  Dr. Pawan kumar Chamling saw the long-term dangers of relying on pesticides and decided farming in Sikkim was much better suited to being organic. 

The initiative began in 2003 with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling getting a resolution passed in the state assembly The Sikkim Organic Mission was formed in 2010.  With training programmes, awareness campaigns, workshops, capacity building, reducing subsidies on chemical fertilizers by ten percent a year after 2005

The Sikkim government spent Rs 8,400 per ha to get land certified as organic. Most consumers cannot afford these premium prices. The government has set up an exclusive organic food platform in Gangtok’s Lal Bazaar. Efforts are on to cut down layers of middlemen.

Sikkim cannot meet own demand for fruits and vegetables Sikkim cannot meet own demand for fruits and vegetables. It buys non-organic stuff from Siliguri in West Bengal. Cardamom and ginger are in surplus as well as fruits like Sikkim mandarin. Since costs are high, the government gives minimum support prices for select vegetable crops. In 2016, Sikkim’s state government made the use of chemical pesticides a criminal offence, carrying a heavy penalty of 100,000 rupees (£1,170) and up to three months in jail

Prohibited from 31st march 2018: Maize, Beans , bringial , Bitter Gourd , Bottle Gourd , Broccoli, Cabbage , Cauliflower , Capsicum , Carrot , Chayote, Cucumber , Drumstick , Lady s Finger , Leafy vegetables, Spinach, Pea , Radish, tomato, pointed gourd, banana, guava, mango, orange, papaya, ginger, green chilly , turmeric . Prohibited from 31st march 2019: Millet /finger millet , Soya bean ,Rapeseed, Mustard , Onion, Potato, Garlic ,Milk & packaged milk, and Mustard oil . Government to restrict the sale of 27 non organic agricultural & horticulture commodities from 31st March 2018

Surely “health is wealth” What is the use of wealth when you don't have a health...

we may suffer initially, but in the long term, organic farming is better for the soil, better for the farms. So I support the government. I think it is a good thing not only for present but also for the generation to come. Thank you