Organic farming is an age old practice based on organic manure and biopesticides, a combination of which has worked well to produce sufficient quantity of food for the population.

In the1950's the total food production in India was 55-60 million tonnes and the crop yield was between 300-700 kg/ha, which was considered as below normal. With the increase in population, the demand for food increased but food production did not do so proportionately, leading to food shortage. During the early 70's, introduction of hybrids/high yielding varieties, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides resulted in the green revolution which fulfilled the demand for food considerably. Today the food production has crossed 200 million tonnes. 

As per the latest census, the Indian population has crossed one billion and to feed this huge population, the food production should increase proportionately. For achieving that, a second green revolution is required. Organic farming now seems to be the best way out to achieve that because it avoids the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides. 
Yet, according to Dr Norman, E Borlaug, Nobel laureate in Agriculture, “It is impossible for India an the world to produce the required quantity of food without the use of inorganic fertilizers.” Evidence to this fact is that crop yields in developed countries like Japan, USA and UK are quite high as compared to that in India, which is due to the judicious use of agrochemicals like fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides. It is also true that the use of chemicals is packed with unwanted gifts of pollution and other related problems. Excess use of agro chemicals can cause, air, water and food contamination resulting in health hazards.

To overcome this problem, some farmers in developed countries have begun shifting to organic farming in a phased manner. Although the quantity of yield is less, the developed countries have counteracted this problem by selling organically grown food products at higher prices. To strengthen this system new Agricultural Research Stations have been set up in these countries to carry out research on organic farming.

The agricultural scenario in India is quite different from that in the developed countries. Shortage of nutrients and inadequacy of plant protection measures are the major constraints. Hybrids and high yielding varieties demand more fertilizers for better yields. Rice, Jawar, Ragi require about 20-29 kg nitrogen, 11-13 kg phosphorus and 30-39 kg potash to produce one tonne of grain. 

The nutrient requirement of any crop is measured on its yield potentiality and therefore in reality it is not possible to meet the heavy nutrient demand of the crops through organic sources alone. Organic manures like FYM, compost, green manure account to only 0.5-0.3-0.4 per cent of NPK. The nutrients in organic manure are released to the crop very slowly and over a very long period of time. Yet, organise manure improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and also provides micronutrients which are essential for plant growth.
In spite of realising the importance of organic manure, shortage of raw materials have prevented many farmers from using it in the proportion that is recommended by the Agricultural University and State Department of Agriculture. 

In the dry areas, the biomass production is limited due to scanty rainfall. Even the biomass got by harvesting crops is used as fodder or fuel. However in greener areas of Malnad and Coastal belts, biomass production is high due to high rainfall which leads to higher availability of organic matter in soils. In these belts the farmers grow plantation crops which are perennial in nature and therefore can sustain the slow release of nutrients. Coffee, tea, cardamom and arecanut planters however require large quantities of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides in addition to organic manures for higher yields.

Post the green revolution, farmers in India have opted for hybrids and high yielding varieties. This has also necessitated farmers to take up chemical control methods because of their quick action. The quantity of pesticides used in India during 98-99 was 49,150 tonnes. Although this is negligible when compared to the quantity used in the developed countries, to overcome the pollution problems due to indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides a new approach is needed which is eco-friendly and cost-effective and minimises the ill effects of chemicals.

Called the ‘Integrated nutrient management (IPM)’ and ‘Integrated pest management (IPM)’ systems, they employ both organic and inorganic manuring to meet the nutrient requirements of the crop. In integrated nutrient management, compost, green manure, vermicompost, bio fertilizers, crop residues, neem and other oil seed cakes, are given importance, while the integrated pest management (IPM) employs cultural, biological and chemical methods. Priority is given to pest-resistant varieties of crop.
Since it is relatively new concept, organisations which advocate organic farming should lake up INM and IPM to the farmers and impart training to them harvest to get maximum benefit.

S M Shanthaveerabhadraiah