Organic farming like regular agriculture is highly fragmented and lacks mature players with scale. With global demand set to quadruple in the next decade, this sector could well offer a few hidden treasures
Organic farming is not a new concept. It is based on a traditional approach to sustainable agriculture that relies on natural products and organisms to do the job of what fertilizers and synthetic chemicals have been doing for quite sometime now.
Organic farmers use a combination of naturally occuring manure, vermicompost and good soil practices to produce food that is not only greener, safer and fresher but also tastes better. The combined worth of the global organic market, which stands at $40 billion today is expected to hit over $100 billion by 2020! The shift from chemical to organic has been a marked one, attested a 15% growth of the worldwide organic market. India’s share in the global organic pie has been around $300 million and it is the 33rd largest producer of organic products in the world.
| US Department of Agriculture Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 |
| Standards for organic production |
Most organic farmers took to it more as a passion than as a business opportunity. With the world turning its attention to issues like climate change and wellness, organic farming and organic labels may just be at a take off point.
Given the current variety of organic businesses, to many the scenario would seem rosy, which is not exactly so. Agriculture in India has been organic by default for ages; probably for the sheer lack of access to resources! Given the default factor, it’s a pity that we are still not amongst the top ten organic producers of the world. That missing link is probably the same that has held back the agriculture sector in the country for ages – fragmented holdings and lack of organization. India currently has around 2.5 million hectares of land under organic cultivation, around 200 million small-time organic farmers and only around 1,500 official organic farms! The operative word being “official”, or rather “certified”.
An organic farm, quick and dirty
Typically, Orgainic farms tend to be self contained, producing almost all their inputs themselves, partly by choice and partly due to the lack of options. Land obviously is the first major investment. And it takes time for the land to be converted to fully organic. Most organic experiments in the country have been done on barren or waste land and it takes anywhere from three to five years or more to have the organic cycle fully going.
Manure can be produced on the farm from compost pits and storing a mix of mulch, dung and water for three months. Vermicompost is prepared from earthworm beds. Mix mulch with soil and release the earthworms into it. Spreading the mixture out on a close-knit net keeps the earthworms from escaping into the ground. The worms eat through the mulch and produce their own wastes. After a certain period of time, this waste is collected and the earthworm bed remade. The waste so collected is diluted with water, and you have your vermicompost ready.
| Organic Cafés |
| Imagine having your regular cuppa in an organic equivalent of Barista. Jayshree and Ganesh Eashwar of Dubden Healthy Living, an organic farm in Bangalore, have recently opened their first retail outlet in Shahpur Jat in Delhi and are soon to open an organic café to serve organic coffee, tea, fruit juices, pastries, bread, cookies, pizzalets and quiches among other things. While they source their in-house brand products from their farm in Bangalore, a few other products such as cereals and pulses are sourced from small-time farmers spread across the country. Dubden Healthy Living’s Organic Bounty store tucked away in Shahpur Jat, Delhi has in addition to their own produce, several other brands. |
| Fashion Organic |
| Satya Jyoti Trust, a women-oriented co-operative society, had started a line of organic clothing and fashion-wear, relying solely on fibers produced organically and dyed in vegetable dyes. Currently they have a single outlet in Gurgaon and have just teamed up with Numanu – the Label of Love, a French fashion house emphasizing on ethical and fair trade practices, for retail. |
| Brand Organic |
| Biotique has launched an entire line of organic tea with blends like Gotokola, Marshmallow, Tulsi,Gooseberry, Cumin and Winter Cherry, to name a few. Organic India, based in Lucknow, has introduced a variety of organic herbal supplements in addition to their line of Tulsi Organic tea. These supplements address a variety of maladies, ranging from those related to stress, obesity and gastro-intestinal problems to general health and well-being. Well-known hotel chains have also picked up the organic trend. Pure at Taj, the Grand Delicatessen at InterContinental, The Grand and the Gourmet Shoppe at the Hilton are a few of the big names in the business. |
| Organic Holidays |
| Adventure tours, heritage tours, religious tours are rather passé. How about an organic tour? Or rather a holiday in a fully organic resort? The trend has already started in India. Organic resorts are the newest offerings from Incredible India. Saharia Organic Resort and Farm in Jaipur, Rajasthan is one such name. The farm was acquired in 1992, which was a barren wasteland back then. Binod Saharia, the owner, pooled his resources together and planted thousands of amla trees on the land to create a mini-forest. It was an organic farm till 2003, when excited by the enthusiastic response he received from volunteers who visited his farm from all over the world, he decided to put up 9 cottages for the visitors. The rooms have been done in earthy style with mud and clay, with attached restrooms. However, as Binod Saharia says, some tourists preferred to use the bushes to experience rural India in the truest sense besides the uncontaminated joy of doing it in the woods! The food is purely organic and obtained from their farm. Besides this farm in Jaipur, they have organic tea farms in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as well. The tea leaves obtained from these farms are served to the guests in the resort and also supplied under the brand name “Abali Organic Tea” to major coffee chains such as the Café Coffee Day. |
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written by Nagz, June 03, 2011
written by Coffee Lovers USA, March 01, 2011
growing up in anItalian family. They brewed a pot daily.
It was an unforgettable and pleasantaroma. I could always
tell the difference between regular Java and Espresso.
There was a deeper richer aroma throughout the house,
which, informed mytaste buds that who ever took part in
this special brew was in for a real treat.
There was also a big difference in the brewing pot used.
It was much heavier and had a particular European design to it.
Espresso machines todayare much fancier and better equipped
to give you that perfect cup of Espresso.
The old pot we used wasn't bad and the family enjoyed their
Espresso intwo different ways, two teaspoons of sugar or
some Anisette added to a demitasse cup. Either combination,
along with some Biscotti, turns coffee drinkers into Coffee Lovers.
Start your day with an espresso, enjoy one of the simple pleasures
of life.Take time out and smell the coffee!
www.coffeeloversusa.com
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"
written by Coffee Lovers USA, February 26, 2011
other manufactured chemicals which is not only healthier for you,
but also safer for the farmer who grows it.
By choosing Organic Coffee you are choosing the best
ingredients for all coffee lovers, yourself and your family.
By purchasing this coffee you support the farmers who
decide to grow coffee using these methods, and help them
repay their debt and sustain them economically.
Full Information on our website!
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"
written by Paby, February 16, 2011
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Hope visiting this page will grab your trust, all anyone really wants is a trustworthy supplier who they can count on to deliver on quickly, correctly, and top quality every time!
written by Ria Thompson (Organic Acai Berry), September 01, 2010
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written by Vishal Magar, July 18, 2010
written by Sameer B. Modi, June 25, 2010
I am thinking to develop the organic farm but quite unaware about the exact market and developing strategy for the same. But I have got enough land in Rajasthan to develop it and a good experience of my dad in agriculture.
Hope to hear soon with some good opportunities.
Regards,
Sameer Modi
+91 9941477623
+91 9660707000
written by Harish Tewari, June 07, 2010
To create an interest and understanding for organic and biodynamic ways of living . It does this by producing a list of suitable destinations and making this list available world wide volunteers, thereby encouraging people to travel to other countries and increase their knowledge and understanding of other cultures, peoples and ways of life. We operate on the basis of exchange, board and lodging for help, and so allow our members to accomplish this as economically as possible. The WWOOF India list includes biodynamic and organic farms, small holdings, sustainable land use projects
1. To help organic farmers and increase awareness in the organic movement.
2. To give people the opportunity of being in the country and getting 'hands on' experience of farming and organic production.
3. To make contact with other people in the organic movement
4. To facilitate cultural exchange and sharing and to enable people to travel in a country and get to know the people and culture in a way which is not possible as a tourist.
Get Involved
WWOOF volunteers ("WWOOFers")
give time and energy to helping on the farm. If you are inerested in environmentally sound living, want to have hands on learning about biodynamics, composting, bread, wine, cheese making, building with mud bricks, sustainable energy........ while living in the local community then volunteering with WWOOF might be for you.
WWOOF Hosts
grow food organically, live sustainably and generally try to live a low impact life. If you want to share your knowledge and experience in organic growing, producing organic products and/ or experience in more ecological and sustainable methods of living. If can provide healthy meals and a safe, clean place to stay. If you want to open your home to a diverse range of people, locally and internationally then you may like to become a WWOOF host. Start welcoming WWOOFers from all over the world.
SEWAK Ngo through its initiative of WWOOF-India Willing workers on Organic Farms is gradually involving more and more organic farmers from India into WWOOF. We provide valuable guidance about marketing of Organic products to new organic farmers due to our vast experience in organic farming and knowledge of Indian organic certification system. Through a team of experts, WWOOF India is also giving consultancy to conventional farmers for conversion towards Organic Farming process. If you are interested than contact the undersigned
Harish
WWOOF India National Coordinator
website : WWOOF India www.wwoofindia.org
[email]sewak1@rediffmail.com
mobile : 9406567597
written by oatmealdragon, May 30, 2010
written by DR.R.P.Shukla, January 12, 2010
Respected Sir,
My self Dr.R.P.Shukla a Classical Homeopath .I have invented a Homeopathic Based Organic Input Which is very effective for agriculture ,Horticulture as a Pesticide ,Fungicide and Soil Conditioners Approved by Natural Organic Certification agency Puna under APEDA Government of India,As You Know Synthetic Poisons are used as Chemical Pesticide and Fungicide Which is very much harmful to whole living Creature world over. I have short of financial sources to promote this unique input for human beings. I expect from you the moral support for this noble causes and hope you must under stand my feeling and propagate through your messages. your Positive help will be appreciated .
your good wishers.
Dr.R.P.Shukla,
Shukla Complex,Peer khana Road,
Khanna-141401,
Punjab,India
Web site www.swissorganicspray.com
Email- swissorganicspray@gmail.com
M-0091-93176-20918,
Tel-0091-1628-655873
written by S.Aunandakumar, December 04, 2009
kitchen waste converted into compost then used for organic farming, then the
rest of the world we can feed.
written by S.Giri Kumar, September 28, 2009
written by Pronojit Saha, January 27, 2009
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