ORGANIC FARM PRODUCTS : POLICIES, POTENTIAL ANDCONSTRAINTS

摘要

With the exponential population growth of India, health consciousness and the extent of malnourished people has provided the scope for organic farm products. Furthermore, the overuse of plant growth inhibitor, pesticides and unbalanced use of fertilizers for faster growth of agricultural produce is detrimental to human, soil health and the environment as a whole. Organic farming offers a solution for sustainable agricultural growth and safeguarding the ecosystem. Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovationand science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. With rapid industrialization of rural States of India, there has been a crunch for farmland. The Trade, Climate Change and Environment Programme of the International Trade Centre (ITC) supports the organic sector through the provision of market information, training in standards compliance and trade promotion; by supporting policies favorable to organic agriculture and trade; and byfacilitating business contacts. In India, efforts are being made for organic crop production through contract farming. Organic farming through contract basis would bring about favorable changes in the present conventional agriculture to make it sustainable and commercial and consumers would also get certified organic products at reasonable price. The effort was made to examine the present situation, review the policies and analyzing constraints, future prospects for organic crop production in Bihar. The results revealed that the major constraints are related to marketing viz, no segregated market for differentiated organic product and lack of premium price. Among economic constrains, the poor availability and high cost of organic inputs are impeding the growth of organic farming in the state. It is suggested that through proper certification and brand creation the market for organic products should be developed.