Shift to Organic Farming: Amit Shah Advocates for Health Benefits and Economic Growth

Shift to Organic Farming: Amit Shah Advocates for Health Benefits and Economic Growth

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Agri

Why This Is in the News

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has emphasized the health risks associated with chemical fertilizers and promoted organic farming as a solution.

This announcement highlights the government’s commitment to enhancing public health and boosting the organic farming sector.

The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Co-operative Organics Ltd. (NCOL) and the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB) marks a significant step in this initiative.

Health Risks of Chemical Fertilizers

Health Impacts: Union Home and Cooperation Minister highlighted that chemicals in fertilizers are linked to various health issues including hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cancer.

Organic Farming: He stressed that organic farming is crucial for the health of India’s 140 crore citizens.

Government Initiative and Collaborations

MoU Signing: An MoU was signed between NCOL and UOCB to promote organic farming.

Government Officials Present: The event was attended by Minister of State for Cooperation Krishna Pal Gurjar, Uttarakhand Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi, and Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation.

Role of Cooperatives and Market Expansion

Importance of Cooperatives: He emphasized the role of cooperatives in making India a leading producer of organic food.

Global Market: There is a significant global demand for organic products, and increasing India’s market share can boost farmers’ income.

Addressing Quality Concerns

Quality Assurance: The Modi government established NCOL to address issues with organic product quality. NCOL and Amul will set up international-level laboratories to test organic products and land.

Consumer Trust: Reliable organic products will be marketed under the ‘Bharat’ and ‘Amul’ brands.

National Co-operative Organics Ltd. (NCOL)

Establishment: NCOL was established by the Government of India in 2021 as a cooperative entity aimed at revolutionizing the organic farming sector in India.

Headquarters: The organization’s headquarters is located in New Delhi, India.

Objective: To enhance the quality and marketability of organic products through a structured certification process and quality assurance systems.

Financial Benefits for Farmers

Profit Distribution: NCOL will ensure that profits from organic products are directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts, a process facilitated by the cooperative setup.

Future Outlook: In the next 2-3 years, ‘Bharat’ brand products will encompass a wide range of vegetarian foods.

Fertilizer Industry in India

Second Largest Consumer: India is the second-largest consumer of urea globally, after China.

Production Rank: India is the second-largest producer of nitrogenous fertilizers.

Core Industry: The fertilizer industry is classified as one of the eight core industries in India.

Subsidy Impact: Fertilizer subsidies represent the second-largest subsidy expenditure by the Indian government, following food subsidies.

Import Dependency: India meets its demand for potash primarily through imports.

Usage of Fertilizers in India:

Soil Deficiencies: Indian soils generally suffer from low organic carbon content and widespread nitrogen deficiency. Phosphorus and potassium levels are typically low to medium, and sulfur deficiencies have become more common over time.

Growth in Consumption: Fertilizer consumption in India has surged from less than 1 million tonnes of total nutrients in the mid-1960s to nearly 17 million tonnes in recent years. This growth is largely attributed to the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties in the 1960s.

Import Dependency: Currently, India imports about 25% of its urea requirements, 90% of its phosphate requirements, and 100% of its potash requirements.

Regional Disparities: Fertilizer consumption intensity varies significantly across regions, with consumption rates ranging from 40.5 kg/ha of total nutrients in Rajasthan to 184 kg/ha in Punjab.

Composition: Urea constitutes 82% of total nitrogen consumption, while di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) accounts for 63% of phosphorus consumption.

Organic Farming in India:

Organic Farming Areas: India has seen significant growth in organic farming areas, with states like Sikkim being a pioneer in becoming the first fully organic state in India.

Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched several schemes to promote organic farming, including the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF).

Certification Bodies: The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) provides certification for organic products in India, ensuring they meet national and international standards.

Organic Products Export: India is a major exporter of organic products, including tea, spices, and fruits. The country ranks among the top exporters of organic products globally.

Soil Health Management: The Soil Health Management (SHM) program aims to improve soil health through organic farming practices and the use of organic fertilizers.

Organic Farming Benefits: Organic farming helps improve soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, and reduce chemical pollution in the environment.