10% organic farming can save Rs 25,000 crore: Scientists

Agriculture scientists have opined that if just 10 per cent farming in the country is turned organic, it will lead to net saving of about Rs 25,000 crore in the country. The saving will be in terms of savings on farm inputs like fertilisers and pesticides and subsidies given on these by the Union Government. The scientists are attending a two-day national symposium-cum-brainstorming workshop on organic agriculture at Palampur Agriculture University. Around 150 scientists, planners and farmers from all over the country are participating in the workshop jointly organised by the Organic Agricultural Society of India, Department of Agriculture, HP, and the National Centre of Organic Farming.

Local and organic food, farming: Here's the gold standard

More and more consumers and corporations are touting the benefits of "local" foods, often described as "sustainable," "healthy," or "natural." According to the trade publication, Sustainable Food News, "local" as a marketing claim, has grown by 15 percent from 2009 to 2010, and it's likely that number will increase in the coming year. (1) Even supermarket giant and junk food purveyor Wal-Mart, with total sales in 2009 of $405 billion, has jumped on the bandwagon. It has pledged to reduce food miles and increase its purchase of "local" fruits and vegetables to include 9 percent of its produce by 2015.

Support Organic Farmers

By buying organic, you support the small-scale family farms that produce organic foods, which not only supports their livelihood but also benefits local economies. Organic methods, which are more labor-intensive than conventional farming, create job opportunities for rural communities. This in turn increases tax revenues, which can be invested in funding schools, hospitals and other public works. Researchers have also found that by practicing organic farming methods, these farmers reduce their production costs by more than 25%. This is as a result of eliminating the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and increasing their crop yields up to five-fold in less than 5 years. This explains why organic farms have consistently been found to be more profitable than conventional farms.

Global Organic Food & Drink Sales Approach US$ 60 Billion

The global market for organic food & drink is recovering from the economic slowdown, with revenues projected to approach US$ 60 billion this year. Although growth has slowed from previous years, revenues have expanded over three-fold from US$ 18 billion in 2000. In its new Global Organic Food & Drink Market report , Organic Monitor finds that global sales increased by just 4.7 % in 2009, compared to previous years of double-digit expansion. The European market was the most affected by the financial crisis; major food retailers rationalised their organic product ranges as consumer purchasing power declined. The UK organic products market contracted last year, whilst the German market stagnated. In contrast, the market in some countries – including Sweden and France – showed resilience, reporting growth rates in excess of 15 %.

Budget 2011-2012 Speech of Minister of Finance (India)

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture 60. While the need to maximize crop yields to meet the growing demand for food grains is critical, we have to sustain agricultural productivity in the long run. There has been deterioration in soil health due to removal of crop residues and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, aided by distorted prices. 61. To address these issues, the Government proposes to promote organic farming methods, combining modern technology with traditional farming practices like green manuring, biological pest control and weed management.