The Rise of Organic Farming: A Global Trend

Organic farming is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Organic farming, also known as ecological farming or biological farming, is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal, and emphasizes techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting.

At a recent event in New Delhi, India's Agriculture Minister, Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasized the growing importance of this sustainable farming technique.

During the event, the Union Agriculture Minister highlighted the detrimental effects of excessive nitrogen use, including:

• 1- Climate change
• 2- Land degradation
• 3- Pollution
• 4- Deforestation
• 5- Fertilizer
• 6- Water pollution
• 7- Biodiversity
• 8- Irrigation

These effects reduce the productivity of farming and pose dangerous impact on the environment further affecting quality of life. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture also harms crop health making them toxic.

Considering the above factors Mr. Shivraj Sinha Chouhan underscored the urgent need for a shift towards organic farming to address these critical issues.

Organic farming is today’s need," the Minister stated, noting that the Indian Government is actively working on six key dimensions to promote this practice, considering the risks associated with chemical fertilizers.

The Minister praised Maharashtra's efforts in advancing organic farming. He pointed out that adopting organic methods not only increases farmers' incomes but also helps mitigate global warming and climate change, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact.

Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, supporting agriculture and assisting farmers is a primary government duty, which the Minister described as a form of worship rather than mere work. He stressed that while many products can be imported, food must be produced by local farmers.

The Prime Minister envisions increasing farmers' incomes and achieving self-reliance in agriculture, goals towards which the ministry is diligently working. The government is committed to the upliftment of agriculture, farmers, and food security, aiming to make India the "food basket" of the world.

The Union Agriculture Minister's observations addressed the latest agricultural challenges, proposing solutions for food security, climate change, and the environmental impact of farming. Adopting organic farming on a priority basis is crucial for curbing the adverse effects of intensive farming on natural resources and the environment.