A Journey from Tradition to Transformation
Agriculture in India has a long and storied history that stretches back thousands of years. All agriculture in the early 18th century is what is characterized as 'organic' or 'natural' today. Early farming practices revolved around natural pest control, composting, crop rotation, and the preservation of indigenous seeds, ensuring the sustainability of soil fertility and biodiversity. However, the advent of colonialism, followed by the industrialization of agriculture, would soon introduce dramatic changes to this system, setting the stage for a century-long battle between traditional farming methods and the lure of agrochemicals.
This journey, from colonial-era chemical interventions to the rise of the organic farming movement in the 21st century, highlights the power of grassroots activism and the importance of sustainable agriculture. Over the past 100 years, the Indian agriculture landscape has witnessed a tug-of-war between chemically intensive practices and the revival of natural, organic, and biodynamic farming systems. With mounting ecological and health concerns in recent years, India has emerged as a global leader in organic farming, thanks largely to the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals and organizations. This transformation, however, has been neither linear nor easy.
The Early 20th Century: From Traditional Organic to Agrochemical Dependency
In the early 20th century, agriculture in India remained largely untouched by modern farming methods with high inputs (of agrochemicals). Farmers relied on crop diversity, natural pest management, and composting to maintain soil fertility and ensure food security. It wasn't until after World War I that chemical fertilizers and pesticides began to infiltrate Indian agriculture. British colonial interests, particularly in plantation crops like tea, rubber, and spices, introduced chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to boost productivity.
These chemical inputs became more widespread in India following World War II as industrialized farming methods developed globally. As the world recovered from the devastation of war, the focus shifted to food security, which prompted a surge in industrial agriculture. This era saw the gradual transformation of India’s agricultural system from naturally organic to increasingly dependent on external chemical inputs. Chemical-free farming became synonymous with antiquated practices, while chemical inputs were hailed as tools of modern agriculture.
Starting in the 1960s, the Green Revolution further cemented India's dependency on agrochemicals. Introduced with the promise of improving food production and ensuring the nation's food security, the Green Revolution brought high-yielding hybrid seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and chemical pesticides to India's agricultural fields. While the program successfully addressed the immediate issue of hunger by boosting crop yields, it left behind an ecological and health disaster. Over time, the intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides degraded soil health, reduced biodiversity, and caused many health problems for farm workers and rural populations.
The Rise of Sustainable Farming Pioneers
In the shadow of the Green Revolution, a counter-movement began to emerge. This movement was largely led by individuals and grassroots organizations who advocated for a return to sustainable, chemical-free farming methods. These early pioneers in the organic farming movement were primarily driven by a deep concern for the environment, public health, and the preservation of traditional agricultural practices.
Prominent figures such as Dr. R.H. Richharia, Bhaskar Save (often referred to as the "Gandhi of Natural Farming"), and G. Nammalwar worked tirelessly to preserve indigenous seed varieties, promote natural pest control methods, and educate farmers about the importance of biodiversity and soil health. These individuals emphasized the need to shift away from chemical-intensive agriculture, highlighting the long-term consequences of such practices on both human health and the environment.
Bhaskar Save, in particular, became an influential voice in the natural farming movement. His work in the 1970s and 1980s demonstrated that natural, chemical-free farming could be both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Save's farm, a permaculture and natural farming model, inspired a generation of farmers to adopt organic practices long before the term "organic" became part of the global agricultural lexicon.
During the 1980s and 1990s, several important meetings, workshops, and conferences were held across India to promote organic farming and sustainable agriculture. This period saw the formation of various organizations that would later play pivotal roles in the organic farming movement. The Association for Propagation of Indigenous Genetic Resources (APIGR) and Agricultural Renewal in India for a Sustainable Environment (ARISE) were two such organizations that emerged during this time. These groups sought to raise awareness about the environmental and health hazards of chemical farming and worked to preserve India's rich biodiversity of crops.
The Development of Organic Farming Infrastructure
By the early 1990s, the organic farming movement in India had begun to gain momentum. However, its growth was not entirely driven by concerns for health or the environment. Instead, European markets, particularly the demand for organic Indian tea, played a significant role in pushing the Indian government to formalize organic farming practices. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established in 1985 to manage and promote the export of organic products, with a particular focus on addressing the pesticide contamination issues faced by Indian tea producers.
In 1993, Padma Shri TGK (Kutty) Menon, a prominent environmentalist and Gandhian, invited New Zealander Peter Proctor to India to promote biodynamic farming principles. Proctor, who had extensive experience with biodynamics, played a crucial role in spreading these methods across India. Together with his partner, Rachel Pomeroy, Proctor helped establish the Biodynamic Association of India (BDAI) in 1999. Despite facing organizational challenges, BDAI played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of biodynamic farming in India.
The Indian government, recognizing the growing demand for organic products in international markets, took significant steps to formalize organic certification. In 2000, APEDA, under the leadership of Sh. SM Acharya formulated India’s first National Policy on Organic Production (NPOP), setting the stage for developing national standards for organic farming. The "India Organic" logo, introduced in 2002 by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, symbolized the government's commitment to promoting organic farming and improving soil and human health.
However, the early years of organic farming regulation were primarily export-driven. The focus on meeting stringent international certification standards meant that smallholder farmers, who could not afford the high certification costs, were largely excluded from the organic farming movement. While large farms and organizations focused on exports were able to navigate the complexities of certification, the domestic market for organic products remained underdeveloped.
The Challenges of Certification and Export Focus
One of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of organic farming in India was the cost and complexity of certification. Organic certification, particularly for exports, required farmers to comply with rigorous standards and undergo periodic inspections to ensure that they were adhering to prescribed practices. The cost of certification was prohibitive for many small farmers, who often could not afford the necessary fees.
This created a situation in which organic farming in India was largely skewed toward exports, with only wealthier individuals and large organizations able to participate in the certified organic market. While this allowed India to become a major player in the global organic market, particularly in tea, coffee, spices, and other export crops, it also limited the participation of smallholder farmers, who comprise most of India’s agricultural workforce.
The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI), established in 2002 by ARISE, sought to address this issue by shifting the focus of organic farming from export-driven certification to the development of the domestic market. In 2006, OFAI collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the National Center for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to introduce the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). PGS offered a more affordable and accessible certification system for small farmers, enabling them to participate in the organic farming movement without the high costs of third-party certification.
In 2013, the Indian government officially adopted PGS-India as a national certification system, providing a significant boost to smallholder farmers and expanding the reach of organic farming across the country.
India’s Growing Organic Agriculture Movement
India’s organic farming sector has grown exponentially in the 21st century. According to a 2021 report by APEDA, India now has 4.7 million hectares of farmland under organic cultivation, making it the second-largest organic land bank in the world. Additionally, India boasts the highest number of organic farmers globally, with approximately 4.43 million as of 2023. Organic products such as wheat, rice, coffee, tea, pulses, fruits, spices, and vegetables are exported to numerous countries, including the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the UAE.
The growth of India’s organic farming movement has been nothing short of remarkable. In the last 20 years, India has increased its organic agriculture land under cultivation by over 145%, producing an estimated 22.9 metric tonnes of organic products. While organic farming was initially export-driven, the domestic market for organic products has expanded rapidly in recent years. Today, India has one of the fastest-growing organic markets globally, and the government is considering launching a National Mission on Natural Farming to further promote sustainable practices.
The Role of Regulation and Export
The Indian government’s efforts to regulate organic farming, particularly for exports, have been a critical factor in the sector's growth. The National Accreditation Policy and Programme (NAPP), created to guarantee the implementation of NPOP, ensures that all organic certification bodies comply with strict standards. Only certified organic products can be exported as "organic," and products must often undergo additional certification to meet the standards of the importing country.
However, the Indian organic certification system remains focused on exports, limiting the development of domestic organic markets. Certification systems like PGS-India have helped address this issue by making organic farming accessible to smallholder farmers, but there is still work to be done to support the growth of local organic markets.
A Grassroots-Led Movement
Despite government efforts to promote organic farming, the movement remains largely grassroots-driven. It has been the work of individuals, farmers, and civil society organizations that has truly sustained the organic farming movement in India through its many setbacks and challenges. Their dedication to preserving traditional agricultural practices, protecting biodiversity, and promoting chemical-free farming has laid the foundation for a sustainable agricultural future in India.
Today, as India continues its journey toward sustainable agriculture, the role of these grassroots pioneers cannot be overstated. Their tireless advocacy for organic and natural farming has ensured that the lessons learned over the past century continue to shape the future of Indian agriculture.
Conclusion
India's journey from traditional, chemical-free farming to the agrochemical dependency of the Green Revolution and finally to the resurgence of organic farming is a testament to the resilience of its agricultural sector. Over the past 100 years, the country has faced immense challenges, from food security crises to environmental degradation. Yet, the rise of the organic farming movement, driven by both grassroots efforts and government support, offers hope for a more sustainable future. Today, India stands at the forefront of the global organic farming movement, with millions of farmers committed to cultivating the land without harmful chemicals, ensuring healthier soils, communities, and future generations.
Further reading
Combine Harvester: History, Types and Uses
What is Glyphosate (RoundUp)? Understanding Its Role, Controversies and Alternatives
Phytotoxicity: Environmental & Health Hazards of Herbicides
Bioherbicides: Sustainable Alternatives to Chemical Herbicides
Understanding Agriculture: Its History, Importance, and Different Types
Best Practices for Collecting Farmer Data in Agriculture
Farming 101 – How to be a Farmer – Step by Step Guide
What is Organic Farming? – Organic Farming Definition and Examples
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