Providing Sustenance for Everyone- Substitutes for Organic Agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture stands as the primary source of employment across the nation, employing a significant portion of the population. Nearly 43 percent of India's land is dedicated to agricultural endeavors, sustaining livelihoods for approximately two-thirds of its people. Historically, prior to Independence, India grappled with consistent food shortages. Following Independence, the country pursued a path of rapid agricultural modernization, yielding substantial benefits. However, the pace of agricultural advancement is now displaying signs of stagnation, presenting challenges such as food security, profitability, sustainability, and the distressing issue of farmer suicides.

In recent decades, there has been a forceful push towards post-modern agricultural practices, particularly organic farming, which is portrayed as superior to conventional methods and as the solution to India's agricultural woes. This has fostered widespread beliefs among the public that organic crop production is paramount. Consequently, activists and public figures have fervently advocated for this approach. For instance, in 2010, the Government of Kerala formulated a policy aimed at transitioning annual crops, including grains, fruits, and vegetables, to organic farming within five years, and extending this initiative to perennial crops within ten years (GOK, 2010).