Organic Farming in Rainfed Agriculture

Abstract

Organic Farming has emerged as an important priority area globally in view of the growing demand for safe and healthy food and concerns on environmental pollution associated with the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals. Though the use of chemical inputs in agriculture is inevitable to meet the growing demand for food in India, there are opportunities in selected crops and niche areas where organic production could be encouraged to tap the domestic and export markets. Keeping this in view, the Government of India initiated the National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) in Xth Five Year Plan under which many promotional and policy initiatives were taken up. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) also initiated a network project on organic farming and data is being generated on the feasibility and economics of organic production of important crops in various agro-ecological regions of the country. Farmers in rainfed areas grow a large variety of crops with negligible inputs. Through proper training and organization of farmers groups, some of the areas and crops with good market potential can be encouraged to go organic. However, there exist several research gaps both in nutrient and pest management in different production systems which need to be bridged to enable farmers to produce crops organically. The main challenge is to evolve a package of practices by using inputs permitted in certified organic farming without compromising on the yield levels. I am happy to note that CRIDA has organized a Winter School on Organic Farming in Rainfed Agriculture during November 1-21, 2007 during which a large number expert faculty shared their experiences. The invited papers from the faculty have been reviewed and brought out in the form of a book by Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, the Course Director and his colleagues. This book contains very useful information on the scope of organic farming in different rainfed crops and cropping systems, opportunities in nutrient management through green leaf manuring, bio-fertilizers, vermicompost and other permitted inputs, role of cropping systems in soil fertility build up; use of bio-pesticides and bio-agents for non-chemical pest management, organic horticulture, dairy farming, policy and promotional activities in different states and certification aspects of organic farming. I am confident that this publication will be useful to researchers, development department officials, extension staff, policy makers and all those interested in organic farming