INTRODUCTION

Throughout the world, the huge pressure of population forces for the farmers to practice
conventional system of farming with the application of massive agrochemical and
pesticides to meet the demand. But the massive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
are causing ill-health among the people and bringing degradation of biodiversity.
Therefore, there is a need for such type of farming system which can maintain economic
viability and environmental sustainability. Organic farming is the only solution in this
context. But organic products are very costly and difficult to adopt by the poor people.
Therefore, there is a possibility of creation of dual economy in the world.

Organic food is relatively a new concept in India. Also referred to as fresh food or natural
food, you can now find it in common retail stores or food outlets inside malls. India has just
woken up to the importance of eating organic foods which have several benefits to offer.
What is important to that organic food in now available everywhere and the more of
organic food that you have the more benefits you will have.

Organic food can be found all over the country. Whether you are in the cities like Mumbai,
Delhi, Pune, Bangalore etc or whether you are from the hinterlands you will notice that
organic food is easily available. Organic food manufacturers are increasing all across the
country thanks to the great response organic food has got from its set of customers and
clients. Organic product or food have the natural tendency to protect us against all kinds of
toxic and chemical induced diseases and illnesses while nourishing our bodies in order to
make our health better. Non-organic food only appears to be cheaper, but it costs us our
health as well as our environment and the eco system, hence lot of people are now opting
for organic food instead of non organic food.

Organic food is of various types. Right from grains, wheat, jowar, to pea nuts, sugar and
jiggery, all of them fall under organic foods. From the several benefits of organic foods one
benefit is that it does not cause any harm to our eco system. And hence it helps in
preserving the environment. Organic food can easily be found in India since India is a
predominantly agricultural country and the food production of the country is very high
hence there is enough organic food which is available in the country and hence there is no
need to import the organic foods as well.

c
Y
 

Organic farming standards do not allow the use of synthetic pesticides, but they do allow
the use of natural methods of protection from pests, such as those derived from plants.
Organic advocates state that natural pesticides are a last resort, while growing healthier,
disease-resistant plants, using cover crops and crop rotation, and encouraging beneficial
insects and birds are the primary methods of pest control. The most common organic
pesticides, accepted for restricted use by most organic standards, include BT, pyrethrum,
and rotenone. Some organic pesticides, such as rotenone, have high toxicity to fish and
aquatic creatures with some toxicity to mammals including humans.
Critics argue that organic farms can work without using pesticides because pests are kept
under control in surrounding conventional farms and thus do not spread into organic
farms; if they became universal, the "islands" they operate on would disappear and pests
would become a severe issue. Workplace safety is a separate, related issue. Pesticides
create a hazardous work environment. Chemical accidents and the effects of long-term
exposure are both well-known risks faced by many farm workers.

According to food and Agriculture Organization (1999). DzOrganic agriculture is holistic

production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health,
including biodiversity, biological cycles and social biological activity. It emphasizes the use
of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account
that regional conditions require locally adopted systems. This is accomplished by using,
where possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using
synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system.dz Organic production
systems are based on specific and precise standards of production which aim at achieving
optimal agro-ecosystems which are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable.
Therefore, the theme and focus the project is to highlight the socially, ecologically and
economically viable production system through organic farming.

c
 
 


 INDIAN SCENARIO

[enerally, farmers undertake intensive cultivation with the help of fertilizers, pesticides
and other inputs to meet increasing demand for food grains. Though these inputs help
apparently increase farm yield, it contaminates soil, water and environment by which
environment gets polluted and ecological balance gets disturbed. As these inputs decrease
the soil fertility, in long run it will reduce farm production, resulting in difficulty to meet
the demand for food grains for the mass population. On the other hand, health hazards
caused by agrochemicals are becoming a crucial problem for maintaining healthy life.
Therefore, farmers are in a mind of shifting to such type of cultivation which will maintain
both ecological balance and meet the demand for food grain. Organic farming is one such
method. Organic farming is a method of farming that requires farmers to operate a system
based on ecological principles and which imposes strict limitations on the inputs that can
be used in order to minimize damage to the environment and wildlife. Emphasis is given on
natural methods of production and pest control. Therefore, organic farming has become an
important segment in the agricultural sector of many countries. Organic agriculture has
developed rapidly worldwide during the last few years and is now practiced in
approximately 120 countries. The total area of land that was organically managed, either
fully organic or in-conversion, fell by 8.1 % between January, 2005, and January 2006, to
619,000 hectares, having peaked in March, 2003, at 741,000 hectares following several
years of notable increases. The late 1990s and early 2000 saw increase in the area of
organically managed land for various reasons.
Significant factors operating during this period were farmers seeking
alternatives to conventional farming in response to the decrease in farm incomes, the scope
of organic farming being extended by the European Union to include livestock production
in July, 1999 and payment rates under organic farming support schemes being
substantially increased. The market for organic products is also growing rapidly not only in
Europe and North America, but also in many other countries, including several developing
countries.

Development of organic farming in India 2003-2007/08

2004/05 (ha) 2005/06 (ha) 2006/07 (ha) 2007/08 (ha)

Total organic 114,037 185,937 432,259 1,030,311

land
Fully 114,037 125,708 339,113 455,568
converted land
Land under 60,226 93,146 595,413
conversion

Source: APEDA 2008

c
-
 

INDIA ORGANIC Ȃ AN OVERVIEW (2004-05)

1. Area under certified 2.5 million ha

2. Total certified product 115.238 metric tone
3. Total project certified 332
4. Number of processing unit 158
5. Accredited Inspection and certifying 11
agencies
6. Number of products exported 35
7. States involved in organic export
a) Kerala 1,232 metric tone
b) West Bengal 937 metric tone
c) Karnataka 476 metric tone
d) Tamil Nadu 471 metric tone
E) Punjab 541 metric tone
F) Himachal Pradesh 521 metric tone
[) Maharashtra 375 metric tone
8. All India total organic export 6,472 metric tone
9. Premium collected against organic export Rs. 80-90 crore
Source: APEDA

c
ü
 

 0ETHODOLOGY

According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (1999), DzOrganic agriculture is

holistic production management systems which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem
health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and social biological activity. It emphasizes
the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into
account that regional conditions require locally adopted systems. This is accomplished by
using, where possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using
synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system.dz Organic production
systems basically aim at sustainable agro-ecosystem environment and its sustainability is
judged through the certification and accreditation bodies. Therefore, in short, it is a system
that depends upon ecosystem management rather than agricultural inputs. It protects the
environmental and community impacts by excluding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and
genetically modified organism.

Historical Perspective of Organic Farming

Ancient Period
Oldest Practice 10,000 years old, dating back to Neolithic
age, practiced by ancient civilization like
Mesopotamia, Hwang Ho basin etc.
Ramayana All dead things Ȃ rotting corpse or stinking
garbage returned to earth are transformed
into wholesome things that nourish life.
Such is the alchemy of mother earth.
0ahabharata (5,500 BC) Mention or Kamadhenu, the celestial cow
and its role on human life and soil fertility.
Koutilya Arthashastra (300 BC) Mentioned several manures like oil cake,
excreta of animals.
Brihad-Sanhita (by Varahmihir) Described how to choose manures for
different crops and the methods of
manuring.
Rig Veda (2500-1500 BC) Mention of organic manure in Rig Veda 1,
161, 10, 2,500-1,500 BC, is [reen manure in
Atharva Veda II 8.3,(1000BC). In sukra
(IV,V,94,107-112) it is stated that to cause
healthy growth the plant should be
nourished by dungs of goat, sheep, cow,
water as well as meat. A reference of
(manuscript,Oxford No-324 B, Six,107-164.
Holy Quran (590 AD) At least one third of what you take out from
soils must be returned to it implying
recycling or post-harvest residue.
Source: Indian Journal of Fertilizers, December, 2005.

c


 

Organic farming is beneficial for the society in the sense that it avoids the use of synthetic
fertilizers and agrochemicals. Under organic farming system, generally renewable energy
resources are used and it also maintains soil and water preservation which helps to
enhance the quality of environment for future.

The benefits of organic farming

3 Organically produced foods are healthy as it avoids using chemical fertilizers.
3 It helps to improve the soil health through the involvement of nitrogenous crops
plantation in rotation.
3 As it employs biologic materials as manure, therefore, the farmer needs less money
to buy farm inputs.
3 Finally it maintains the ecological balance of the environment.

Objectives of organic farming

[eneral objective of organic farming is to produce health hazards free, environmentally
sustainable and economically viable food production without using synthetic fertilizers and
agrochemicals.
3 To produce health hazard free nutritious food.
3 To involve biological cycle with the help of micro-organisms, plants and animals etc.
3 To increase the long term soil fertility.
3 To increase the water conservation capacity of soil.
3 To avoid all types pollution as far as possible.
3 To preserve indigenous system of farming practices.
3 To maintain environmental sustainability and economical viability of food
production.

NEED OF ORGANIC FAR0ING

Organic farming is an age-old concept in India. Which changed during the 1st Green
Revolution. During the last few decades, approach & outlook towards agriculture 7
marketing of food has seen a quantum change worldwide. The focus is now more on
quantity and outer appearance rather than intrinsic or nutritional quality. Pesticides &
other chemical residues in our food & overall reduced quality of food have led to a marked
increase in various diseases, mainly various forms of cancer & reduced body immunity.
This commercialization of farming has also had a very negative effect on the
environment. The use of pesticides has led to enormous levels chemical buildup in our
environment, soil, water, air, animals and even in our own bodies. Fertilizers have a short
term effect on productivity but a longer term negative effect on the environment where
they remain for years after leaching & running off, contaminating ground water and water
bodies. In the name of growing more to feed the earth, we have taken the wrong road of un
sustainability. The effects already show Ȃ farmerǯs committing suicide in growing numbers
with every passing year, the horrendous effects of pesticides sprays (endosulphan) by a
government owned plantation in Kerala, India, some years ago & other parts of country. the
pesticide-contaminated bottled water and aerated beverages are only some instances. the
bigger picture that rarely makes news, however, is that millions of people are still underfed

c
Î
 

and where they do get enough to eat, the food they eat has the capability to eventually kill
them. Yet the picture painted for the future by agrochemical & seed companies and
governments is rosy & bright. Another negative effect of this trend has been on the fortunes
of the farming communities worldwide. Despite this so-called increased productivity,
farmers in practically every country around the world have seen turn in their fortunes.
This is where organic farming comes in. Organic has the capability to take care of
each of these problems. Besides, the obvious immediate and effects organic farming has on
the environment and quality of food, it also greatly helped a farmer to become self-
sufficient in his requirements for agro-inputs and reduce his costs.

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FAR0ING:-

3 Organic farming recognized that the use of chemicals in agriculture does great
damage to us and the environment. Chemical based farming produces large
quantities of crop at high speed by using the economies of scale offered by
monocropping and by using chemicals to rapidly provide nutrients to crops. These
rapidly produced crops lack the nutritional of naturally raised plants, whilst the
chemicals slowly seep into the land, water table and food chain. Natureǯs
biodiversity, which is the major source of most medicine, is also threatened by
monocropping. This approach to farming is totally unsustainable in the long run and
is hazardous to the environment, rural communities and the consumer.

3 Organic farming takes a different approach. It recognizes the qualities and systems
within nature that allow things to grow, and works with them rather than against
them. Sunlight,air,water and nutrients are the requirements for healthy strong
growth. Rather than forcing crops to grow quickly, Organic farmers work with
nature by supporting and maintaining a healthy bio-diversity.
3 The soil is of great importance to Organic farming. To produce strong healthy tasty
crops full of vitamins in a natural way, the farmer feeds the soil with organic and
green manures. This combined with systems of crop rotation, and intercropping of
different species feeds the soil in a totally non toxic environmentally and farmer
friendly way.
3 Organic farming aims to control pests and diseases without relying on chemicals.
Rather than using chemicals to cure disease and kill pests when they become a
problem, Organic farms are carefully planned out so as to discourage these diseases
or pest infestation from happening in the first place. Companion planning recognize
certain plantsǯ innatability to repel certain pests and diseases. Those plants are then
grown next to crops that are vulnerable. Most diseases and pests prey on specific
plants the threat to a biodiversity system is therefore minimal compared to an
intensively farmed mono-crop with chemical application as its only line of defense.
If diseases do occur, environmentally friendly pesticides and herbicides are used.
3 Animals are reared in a natural way to produce the best products. Fed on organic
food and pasture and given their fill of fresh air and open spaces they live a content
life. Steroids and other growth harmones are banned, and where possible, illness is
treated with Ayurvedic and homeopathic remedies.

c
å
 

 3 Traditional knowledge is vital to Organics. Over thousands of years, farmers
developed verities of crops that suited their local conditions. Farming was done
naturally. For about 30 years, large seed companies have pushed farmers to grow
just a handful variety. These are often not suitable to a local area and have needed
chemicals to force them to grow. Organic farming, on the other hand promotes
traditional varieties. The result is a huge range of varieties to choose from. As
consumers, we have forgotten the range colors, textures and tastes that rice, for
example, can come in. All that is left for us to do is to reawaken our taste buds and
open ourselves up to a host of exiting Ǯnewǯ flavors and textures.

HOW IT WORKS?
G0OǯS
[enetically Modified Organisms ([MOǯs) have no place in organics. Their reported benefits
in terms of increased yield and decreased need of chemical application have not been
proven despite the producersǯ claimsǯ. More worryingly, it seems certain that [M crops will
cross pollinate with the wider ecosystem, and it is a matter of debate as to whether that is a
cause for concern. Whatever the potential risks, Organics believes in the Ǯprecautionary
principleǯ which states that it is always better to err on the side of cautioning. Whilst any
risk to the environment remains, [MOǯs are disallowed.

For decades, fabindia has been committed to retailing craft prothrough collaboration with
artisans in rural areas. We have now extended this partnership to farmer from rural areas
to bring you a range of Organic food.
Modern day Organic farming took many of practices from traditional Indian systems.
Supporting Organic agriculture is therefore a natural step for us at fabindia to take. Our
policy of fair trade makes traditional organic farming a viable modern economic option. We
believe in giving farmers a fair price for their, and in supplying the very highest quality of
food products to our customers. Many small farmers subsist on low incomes, despite the
fact that thousands of crores of tax payersǯ money is spent on farm support.Low farm
incomes continue because much of the money pumped into rural agriculture returns big
business in the form of the farmersǯ costs on:
3 fertilizers (petrochemicals)
3 Pesticides
3 Seeds (genetically modified or mass produced)
3 Electricity (for pumping water to hungry cash crops)
3 Interest on loans (often at exorbitant rates from money lenders as many banks
would not deal with small farmers)
3 middleman
By adopting Organic farming, many of these costs can be removed altogether or reduced.
Organic chemical free fertilizers and pesticide can be home produced, and local varieties of
seeds can be saved from previous seasons. Farmers may therefore keep a greater
proportion of the money we spend on their produce. Organic farming may therefore offer,
to some extent, a step out of poverty without the need of government support.

c
‰
 

CERTIFICATION

Indiaǯs certification process is based on the standards set by the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture (IFOAM) and the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
Once a farmer decides to go Organic, an application is logged at one of Indiaǯs accredited
certifying agencies (e.g.S[S,IMO,SKAL,etc).The farmerǯs adoption of Organic practices from
that moment onwards is regularly checked the agency. This period of time is known as
being Ǯin conversionǯ. The status of full certification is only given once the soil and
ecosystem have fully recovered from any previous chemical damage. This can take
anything from 1-3 years, depending on the history of the farm. For many of Indiaǯs poorer
farmers, certification is expensive.

ASSOCIATES WORK

The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) is the country's only organization of
grassroots organic farmers. Since Indian agriculture continues to remain a source of
livelihood for mostly small farmers and peasants, OFAI membership reflects this ground
reality as well.

OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making

structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the
organizationǯs bye-laws.

The association - which is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act - was
formed three years ago. Its memorandum of association was written and approved after a
wide consultation with organic farmers.

The primary objective of the association is to promote organic farming within the country
and to take all such means that are available to achieve this purpose. OFAI's labeling
scheme is meant to provide an assurance of guarantee of organically grown produce
exclusively for domestic consumers. The organization has rejected, at the outset, any
preoccupation with organic farming for export purposes.

Unlike other organic farm certification systems, OFAI farm certification is done through the
agency of trained organic farmers themselves. OFAI does not accept farm inspectors who
do not themselves practice organic agriculture.

As OFAI farming is based on natural principles, it is firmly opposed to the introduction of

[enetically Modified Organisms ([MOs) in agriculture and will actively campaign against
such agriculture.

The ultimate objective of the association is to produce poison-free food for Indian
consumers and to achieve this by maintaining the living fertility of Indian soils.

c
Ñ
 

OFAI was set up by the Indian organic farming community, environmentalists and social
activists in order to promote organic farming, lobby for its official adoption by the Indian
government, assist farmers dependent on chemicals to convert to organic systems, help
organic farmers with marketing their organic produce and advise its members on how to
educate their children outside the urban-oriented school system so that they could be
excellent stewards of the lands they inherit.

0ission and goals

The Organic Farming Association of India has been formed with the following objectives:

3 To promote nature-friendly, scientific farming systems and practices that are

economically viable, energy efficient, climate-friendly, oriented towards the
conservation of the environment and the empowerment of rural communities and
building upon indigenous and traditional knowledge, skills and practices. The
association aims to help organize farm-households and families engaged in organic
farming and connected activities into a recognizable entity that will effectively
represent their interests at local, state, regional and national levels.
3 To enable farm-households engaged in organic farming to create the necessary
infrastructure and facilities for them to select, save and exchange seeds and
rootstock of various crops with each other in situation.
3 To lobby with the State and Central [overnments to install and follow policies
geared towards the promotion of organic farming in India including the provisions
of subsidies, price support, markets, legislation on organic seed regulation, farmer
driven certification and other related needs.
3 To lobby with the Food Processing Ministry and other concerned [overnment
agencies in order to enable farming families to process, package and label organic
produce and sell value added products within the law. To lobby specifically against
[M seeds and [M farm inputs from being permitted for use within the Indian
agricultural and food system including animal feeds.
3 To advocate in favour of courses on organic agriculture in agricultural and other
related institutions and for these institutions to take up need based research and
study on topics as identified by organic farming families (land to lab) and implement
promotional activities in organic farming and sustainable lifestyles;
3 To work for the special educational needs of children from farm house-holds, the
next generation of organic farmers. Such work will include networking among
farming families, apprenticeship opportunities, workshops, enabling children from
farm-households to have a special priority link with national open school, preparing
a special organic farming programme within National Open School and other such
opportunities;
3 To assist families engaged in transitional organic farming to access practical know-
how from experienced families or farmers through various means such as
organizing regional workshops on need-based themes as expressed by the
transitional farming families.
3 To create awareness among all sections of consumers about the detriments of
conventional chemical agriculture and consequences of the [reen Revolution and

c
Y
 

 the looming threat of the [ene Revolution and the benefits of organically produced
foods.
3 To formalize and operate credible, scientific and publicly trusted systems for the
recognition and registration of organic farms.
3 To work with other organic farming associations in India and internationally in
order to strengthen the organic farming movement.
3 To undertake programmes that will increase farmers awareness of their rights; legal
rights vis-à-vis right to protect organic character of an organic farm such as for e.g.
air quality, water quality, etc.

PGS CERTIFICATION

OFAI offers its members two different procedures for organic farm certification:
ǮParticipatory [uarantee Systemǯ (P[S) and the ǮThird Party Appraisalǯ (TPS).

Participatory Guarantee System

In the Ǯparticipatory guarantee systemǯ, local groups of farmers conduct the farm
appraisals themselves and maintain groups watch to ensure that all follow the
standards and the rules. OFAI is a founder member of the P[S Organic India Council.

This method of appraisal is best suited for rural communities, villages, special focus
groups organized by N[Os, etc.

Third Party Appraisal

In the Ǯthird-party appraisalǯ system, trained and experienced organic farmers (who
are members of the association) appraise farms as third party appraisers and
submit their independent reports to the association. This kind of farm audit is
suitable for individual farms, small or large, especially where there is little scope for
group activity.

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

OFAI Farm Appraisers:

OFAI Farm Appraisers are selected only from the organic farming community and
must be practicing organic farmers. Any organic farmer who can write and fill in a
form in his own mother tongue can offer himself/herself for training and an
examination prior to selection.

c
YY
 

Organic Labeling Scheme:

OFAI offers its members a choice of opting for or following one of two certification system:
TPS (Third Party System) and P[S (Participatory [uarantee System).

3 Of the two, P[S is simpler and cheaper and its operation is controlled by the organic
farming community itself. In fact, P[S is recommended for organic farmers who
work as a group or who can come together as a group at the village or taluka level.
P[S is also designed mostly for small and marginal farmers and will be extremely
useful in situations where such communities are serviced by N[Os or self help
groups (SH[s). Those opting for the P[S system should inform either the state
secretariat or the central secretariat accordingly.
3 Those opting for TPS would be largely isolated farmers, or farmers living in remote
areas and who are unable to form a local group under P[S because their numbers
are too small. (For the P[S, minimum membership in the local group is five).
3 This website provides the entire documentation for OFAIǯs TPS and P[S procedures.
These are also available in booklet form from the secretariat.
3 It is important to emphasize and to clarify that both TPS and P[S are based on OFAI
organic farming guidelines which are themselves in harmony with IFOAM 2005
organic standards and the NSOP ([overnment of India).

c
Y 
 


S. No Name of certifying & inspection Agencies Address
1 Association for Promotion of Organic Farming Bangalore
2 Indian Society for Certification of Organic Products Coimbatore
3 Indian Organic Certification Agency Cochin
4 Skill inspection and Certification Agency Bangalore
5 IMO Control Pvt.Ltd. Bangalore
6 Ecocert International Aurangabad
7 Bio-inspectra Cochin
8 S[S India Pvt. Ltd. [urgaon
9 LACON Chunanagardi
10 International Resources for Fair Trade Mumbai
11 One Cert Asia Jaipur
12 National Organic certification Association Pune

Source: Indian Journal of Fertilizers.

BENEFIT TO FAR0ER

Critics condemn agribusiness practices for putting small, independent farmers out of
business, destroying rural communities in the process, and causing the "art of farming" to
be lost. According to these critics, small-scale organic farming encourages local economies,
and provides social and employment alternatives to concentrated, energy-dependent urban
living, thus improving the quality of life for everyone. The entry of large-scale businesses
into production of organic food undermines the belief that a preference by consumers for
organic food will necessarily translate into a substantive change in the nature of
agribusiness. This is where the distinction between organic farming, organic food, and
organic certification becomes tricky. If the strong consumer trend represents simply the
desire for an "organic" stamp on their food, then the trend to large-scale, global, corporate
farming certified organic or not, will continue. If consumers embrace a broader concept of
"organic", which includes fresh, local food, substantial changes in the food industry would
have to follow to meet this demand.

c
Y-
 



ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FOOD

What can you get from Organic?

Vitamins & Organic as Areas of the body Where to find high

0inerals compared to non- that rely on these levels of these
organic substances substances
Vitamin C 27% higher Brain, blood vessels, Fresh vegetables,
immune system, fruit and fruit juices
skin.
Calcium 25% higher Bones, teeth, Pulses, nuts, soya,
muscles, nerves & tofu, Jaggery
blood
Iron 21% higher Attracts oxygen to Whole-grains, Tofu,
the blood, builds Pulses, Millet, Nuts,
blood, immune Dry Fruits
systems.
Phosphorous 14% higher DNA, proteins, red Whole-grain, Pulses
blood cells
Magnesium 29% higher Nerves, energy Soybeans, Cashew
production & nuts, Almonds,
transmission, Whole-grains
protein &
metabolism enzymes
Anti-oxidants 10%-50% Removal of free Herbs, Black & [reen
radicals and other Tea, [reen leafy
toxins which slowly vegetables
poison the body

The long term effect of chemical based farming is that it lowers important trace minerals in
fresh fruit and vegetables. The experience in the UK and US has been a fall of 76% in trace
minerals from 1940-1999.

c
Yü
 

0EDICINAL I0PORTANCE OF ORGANIC FOOD

Chemicals and 0anmade substances Health dangers and effects

Pesticides Cancer (including breast & prostate), foetal
abnormalities, reduced Male fertility,
Parkinsonǯs disease
Food additives (incl tartrazine and Heart disease, cancer, skin disease, asthma.
hydrogenated fats) stunted grow, hyperactivity in children ,
allergies, headaches
[MOǯs Unknown effects on humans, however
[MOǯs have been shown to pass into the
human gut lining after just one meal of [M
food. Most of the testing on [M has been
funded by vested interests
Nitrates [ullet cancer

Children suffer from pesticide residues to a greater extent than adults. Their relative body
size is small in comparison to the amount they ingest and their immune systems are
weaker. In children eating a non organic diet pesticide residues are found to be 6 times
higher than kids on an organic diet.

c
Y

 

ORGANIC vs. CONVENTIONAL FAR0ING

´ Certified organic products are more expensive than their conventional counterparts
and their supply is nowhere near the demand. Moreover their production cost is very
high because of labour intensive inputs.
´ The post harvest handling of relatively small quantities of organic foods results in
higher costs particularly for processing & transportation. In short, an achieving
economy of scale is very difficult.
´ The marketing & distribution front, as the volume of organic food production is very
less it leads to relative inefficiencies and higher costs.
´ Organic farming has been found to be more profitable and productive in small farm
holdings conventional farming gives better results in the case of bigger farm holdings to
enhance crop production. However there are several adverse effects associated with
conventional farming.
´ The originally cultivated soil has appreciably superior organic matter content, thicker
topsoil, higher polysaccharide content lower modulus of rupture & less soil erosion
than the conventionally cultivated soil.
´ The long term, organic farming is more efficient than conventional farming in reducing
soil erosion & consequently, in maintaining soil productivity.
´ Organic farming provides more employment to rural people through replacement of
costly chemical inputs with composting, weeding & intercropping.
´ The farmers donǯt need to buy costly fertilizers, pesticides & herbicides that were
normally used in conventional farming.
´ Organic farming also symbolizes a new fangled opportunity for small farmers who lack
the resources to do conventional farming.
´ [lobal hunger and poverty are the focal issues behind organic farming.
´ Cultivation by means of organic farming is the foremost solution to eradicate global
starvation.
´ Farmers are finding that they can cut their inputs of costly pesticides and fertilizers
substantially varying from 20-80% and be financially better off. Yields to fall to begin
with, but there is compelling evidence that they soon rise & go on increasing.

c
YÎ
 

0AJOR 0ANUFACTURERS OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

3 Bhawira Jams Pvt. Ltd.
(Himachal Pradesh)

3 Organic India Pvt. Ltd.

3 Astra Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd.

(Mohali)

3 Sunstar Organics Pvt. Ltd.

(New Delhi)

3 Ncl Agro Foods Pvt. Ltd.

(Rajkot)

3 NSK Foods Pvt. Ltd.

([haziabad)

3 Cee-Dca Organics Pvt. Ltd.

(Rampur)

3 Apurva Organics Ltd.

(Kolkata)

3 Naturellement Pvt. Ltd.

(Tamilnadu)

c
Yå
 

0AJOR 0ARKETING CO0PANY

FABINDIA OVERSIES PVT.LTD.

New Delhi

Except these all companies the one organization is working very good in all over India. the
organization name is Fabindia Overseas Pvt. Ltd. This company provides you a quality and
rich contained organic food @ your door. Fabindia is a one of the biggest Fabric brand of
India. also they are working with Organic farming sector. Their aim is to collect organic
products from reputed manufacturers across India, and they are selling the products from
their retail outlets to high class consumers. They have special systematic retail market
chain in every big town of India. They are selling their Organic products in several
countries.
Fabindia has stores in more than 95 locations across India. The stores include the
premium, regular and concept stores. It is trying to increase coverage in order to make sure
that the products are available at the largest number of places possible.

WHAT IS FABINDIA?

DzFabindia was founded with the strong belief that there was a need for a vehicle to market
the vast and diverse craft traditions of India and thereby help fulfill the need to provide and
sustain rural employment.dzDzOur Endeavour is to provide customers with hand crafted
products which help support and encourage good craftsmanship.dz

In 1958, John Bissell left New York, to work as a consultant for the Ford Foundation. Highly
impressed with the Indian handloom textiles, he decided to exhibit this craft to the outside
world. This led to the genesis of Fabindia in 1960, primarily as an export house, in order to
provide equitable employment to traditional artisans and to fuse the best aspects of East-
West culture. In 1975, the first Fabindia retail outlet was opened in [reater Kailash, New
Delhi. By the early eighties, Fabindia had forayed into the production of garments made
from hand-woven and hand block printed fabrics. Fabindia started dealing in a wide range
of upholstery fabrics, durries, home linens, furniture, lights and lamps, stationery, home
accessories, pottery and cutlery. In 2004, their food products range and in 2006, Fabindia
Sana, their authentic body care products range was launched. Recently, they have also
ventured into the jewellery segment. However, the major chunk of Fabindiaǯs product
range is textile-based.

c
Y‰
 

The company has continued to focus mainly on the artisans and sources its products from
over 15,000 craftsperson across India. With a strong foundation, as stated above, the
company has been successful in increasing their presence all over India. They have also
opened some international stores in Italy,UAE,Qatar and China.

Strengths
The product mix available at Fabindia can be easily differentiated by the customer. The
uniqueness of the fabric or styling has created a new category as identified by the customer
as ethnic wear. This leads to a very high brand recognition and connects with the customer
value. It has an enviable presence in diverse product lines as garments, furniture,
furnishing and upholstery, body care, organic foods and the very recently introduced
jewellery line. Due to its variety of stores, it can reach to different categories of customers.

Weakness
This absence of promotions strategy is believed to be resulting in sales below its potential
levels. The sourcing strategy followed for accepting raw materials is heavily supplier
centric. In the past there have been incidences when due to delay in sending supplies for
winter garments manufacture, inventory was carried over to the next year and suppliers
were not made to share the damage. It operates through its own stores and that too fed by
a centralized hub model of supply chain management.

Opportunities
Merchandising within stores is still in a rudimentary stage. The shopper navigation can be
greatly enhanced by focusing on the store layout and appropriate merchandising
techniques which succinctly create individual product areas. There is great opportunity to
grow along with the fast growing organic foods department. Out of the total customer base
for Fabindia, a high percentage comprises repeat customers. This leads to an inference that
Fabindia can focus on customer acquisition strategies.

Threats
Already many firms have tried to recreate the model of Fabindia. Hence, .Fabindia needs to
innovate and diversify into different product categories. It should be nimble and responsive
to changing tastes of its customers. Also as it is suppliers are mostly artisans and
manufacturing is labour driven, controlling costs can be a challenge. Also it needs to ensure
that the customer service provided and the quality of products is consistent.

c
YÑ
 

 Future of Organic Foods

The organic food craze has gotten a solid footing and has spread across the world like an
errant wildfire. While more people are switching to healthier, organic versions of their
favorite fruits, vegetables, meats and other products, does this mean that traditional food
and farming will become a thing of the past? Will organic food be as popular in ten or
twenty years as it is today or will the organic food craze fade away, leaving people to revert
back to traditional food? Chances are high that traditional agriculture is here to stay as it is
much more profitable than organic agriculture and it has worked well for more than 300
years. Since commercial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides increase yields and decrease
losses, they increase profits; therefore, as long as farmers work the land using traditional
methods and means, commercial farming will exist.
At some point in the future, people might be forced to choose between the
easy option and the environmentally friendly option. However, as the world's population
increases, the need for larger amounts of food increases, too. Were we only employing
organic farming methods, we would quickly run out of space for crops. Will the organic
food craze fade into the background and join the myriad of other health food fads gone by
the wayside? Since organic agriculture has been around for many years and continues to
gain mainstream acceptance and popularity, the answer is a solid 'no'. Once, not so long
ago, you had to look everywhere to find organic produce. Now, some of the world's largest
supermarket chains stock a large variety of organic products. Organic agriculture will likely
become more common and popular as people become more aware of the negative
environmental and physical effects of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, hormones and
other chemicals. In developing countries, studies have shown that families that employ
organic agricultural actually make more money than traditional farmers in the same areas
and have a higher standard of living. As organic food and product consumers raise their
children on organic products, they are creating an automatic market share, ensuring that
the future of organic foods is bright. If children are not exposed to traditional foods and
products they will not use them, instead opting for their organic counterparts. The organic
agriculture industry will continue to grow as the trend toward buying local sustains itself,
as happens periodically and as local businesses continue to support each others' industries.
Organic agriculture may not be able to take over the world and solve every
environmental and dietary problem but it is and will continue to impact the world. As
people continue to be concerned for their family's safety and that of the world around
them, it is a safe assumption that the future of organic foods is a bright one.

c
 
 


 FINDINGS
3 During this project I have met 40 farmers. They are doing their agriculture in
organic manner.
3 I have found lots of new and important things from the farmers.
3 In this project I have got opinions from around 15 high class people who were know
about the organic products.
3 In their language, organic farming is a very good but compare to chemical based
farming it is not beneficial.
3 Also organic fertilizers release very slowly in the root side, compare to chemical
fertilizers. In short period crops the organic fertilizers are not useful.
3 Chemical fertilizers will shows quickly results on plant/crop, but organic fertilizers
do not show quick result.
3 Organic products, fertilizers, pesticides are not known in rural areas.
3 On grass root level awareness about organic products is very less.
3 But now days the organic farming is mandatory for worldwide.
3 Also organic products get higher price than non-organic farm produce.

c
 Y
 


 CONCLUSION
The interest in organic agriculture in developing countries is growing because it requires
less financial input and places more reliance on the natural and human resources available.
Studies to date seem to indicate that organic agriculture offers comparative advantage in
areas with less rainfall and relatively low natural & soil fertility levels. Labour realizes a
good return & this is important where paid labour is most non-existent. Organic agriculture
does not need costly investments in irrigation. Energy & external inputs, but rather organic
agriculture policies have the potential to improve local food security, especially in marginal
areas.

Possibly the greatest impact of organic agriculture is o the mindset of people. It is uses
traditional and indigenous farming knowledge while introducing selected modern
technologies to manage & enhance diversity, to incorporate biological principles and
resources into farming systems & to ecologically intensify agriculture production. Instead
of being an obstacle to progress, traditions may become an integral part of it. by adopting
organic agriculture, farmers are challenged to take on new knowledge and perspectives to
innovate. This leads to an increase engagement in farming which can trigger greater
opportunities for rural employment & economic upliftment. Thus through greater
emphasis on use of local resources and self reliance, conversion to organic agriculture
definitely contributes to the empowerment of farmers & local communities.

3 Large scale conversion to organic agriculture would result in food shortage with the
present state of knowledge & technology, as the yield reductions of organic systems
relative to conventional agriculture average 10-15%, especially in intensive farming
systems. However traditional rain fed agriculture, organic farming has potential to
increase the yield, since 70% of total cultivable land falls in this category. Mere 5-
10% increase in farm production would definitely help achieve the targeted growth
rate of 4-5% in agricultural production in the 11th period.
3 Organic manure is an alternative renewable source of nutrient supply. A large gap
exists between the available potential & utilization organic wastes. However it is not
possible to meet the nutrient requirements of crops entirely from organic sources, if
100% cultivable land is converted to organic farming.

c
 
 


 3 Organic farming systems can deliver agronomic & environmental benefits both
through structural changes & tactical management of farming systems. The benefits
organic farming is relevant both to developed nations and to developing countries
like India.
3 Organic foods are proved superior in terms of health & safety but there is no
scientific evidence to prove their superiority in terms of taste and nutrition as most
of the studies are often inconclusive.
3 Combination of lower input costs and favorable price premiums can offset reduced
yields 7 make organic farms equally & often more profitable than conventional farm.
However studies that did not include organic price premiums have given mixed
results on profitability. Thus it is the premium price on the organic food which
decides the economic feasibility of organic farming. at least at the current rate of
development in organic agriculture.
3 In organic farming systems pest and disease management strategies are largely
preventive rather than reactive. In general pest & disease incidence is less severe in
organic farms compared to conventional farms.

c
 -
 


 ANNEXURE-1
Questionnaire for Customer Survey

1) NAME:

2) SEX: ǥǥǥǥǥ..

3) A[E: ǥǥǥǥǥǥǥ

4) LOCATION: ǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥ...

5) PROFESSION: ǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥǥ

6) What do you know about Organic food?

7) Did you ever have organic food?

Yes/no

8) If yes, which type?

Vegetables/ Fruits/Cereals/Pulses.

9) How was the result?

10) From where did you get that?

11) Is it accessible from your home?

12) Did you know benefits of Organic food?

c
 ü
 


13) Did you heard about Organic Farming?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.pgsorganic.in

www.fabindia.com

www.scribd.com

www.google.com

www.organicindia.com

www.apeda.com

c