1. Is it possible to scale natural farming (NF)or organic farming (OF)from the present level of less than 1% of cultivated area?

Over the years organisations involved in rural development and livelihoods sector were finding it difficult reconcile their approach on organic farming with ground realities. Multi nationals like DuPont/Pioneer, Monsanto, Bayer, ITC invested heavily in CSR programme in rural development and sustenance of livelihoods. They do feel scaling up organic cultivation is beset with unsurmountable challenges. They have come to believe now that OF/NF could form a part of their overall strategy in crop production. They are more comfortable with sustainable agriculture. Even there , they accept, it’s a different set of challenges. In US with large size holdings organic farming is less than 1% of cultivated area and in EEC with relentless drive and financial commitment over the years it’s about 9%. In India Govt is yet to come with an approach/ strategy on OF at national level.

2. Market economy is the basic philosophy of the Govt. How to reconcile farmers aspirations of higher yields and higher returns with organic/natural farming?

Earlier organic produce used to fetch higher price compared to non-organic produce, giving some compensation for yield loss. Now price difference is not substantial to compensate yield loss. From retailer’ s point of view desire to increase turnover and stock clearance from shelf contributed for slashing of price. Absence of reasonable price difference is critical in organic cultivation. An Indian multi national is promoting organic farming of Chillies in some niche areas for export. There is no local market. Now, export options are also getting limited. The price and stock trends are similar in US and other countries. Further there are lessons to learn from Sri Lanka and Sikkim.

3. How to proceed with sustainable agriculture and produce more food with minimum damage to the ecosystem?

Term Sustainable agriculture looks more pragmatic and relevant. However, as an adjective the word sustainable is left to as many interpretation as the types of cultivation based on landholdings, socio-economic conditions, crops grown etc. USDA definition of sustainable agriculture broadly looks to farming as a profitable enterprise with increased food production in a sustainable environment enhancing quality of life of farming communities. Though we have not signed the COP26 our approach cannot be different on sustainable agriculture. Some of the fertiliser companies today are more worried about rapid depletion of Organic Carbon in soils in all most all fertile belts of crop production from north to south and east to west. This is affecting Fertiliser uptake as well as crop yields. DuPont/Pioneer market specific Maize varieties for different agro-climatic regions as well as resource management capacity of farmers. Perhaps OF and NF could fit in to sustainable agriculture. But the objective of all stakeholders in farming is to Increase productivity and profitability. How OF/NF fits in to this approach is a billion dollar question.