In the aftermath of the pandemic, two epiphanies have emerged for our modern world: how to tackle the issue of climate change and how to enhance the health and immunity of the population. The fitness industry has been booming over the past few years, and social media has been an impetus for people to be more active, yet without proper nutrition, one cannot be healthy.

Organic farming addresses this by promoting the production of healthy and nutritious foods while preserving the environment; this shifts the focus from the concept of food security, which is mainly concerned with the availability of carbohydrates, to the quality of the diet that is consumed i.e, nutritional security. Studies have revealed that organically cultivated fields are associated with 30% more abundance of wildlife and plant species as compared to the conventionally farmed ones. This is because the crops are grown without the use of chemical pesticides and with minimal use of chemical fertilisers which is a better thing for the environment.

Organic fruits and vegetables also carry higher levels of antioxidants and other micronutrients, besides tasting better, as they are not treated with harmful chemicals in the process. India, with a wide and diverse range of agro-climatic zones, has huge potential and possibilities to promote organic farming. The organic market in India is growing at a fast pace to meet the demand of the urban consumers’ new-found love for farm to table products, however the sector is still in its infancy with only 2.30 million
hectares of land being cultivated organically which is 2% of the country’s net sown area.

Although Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have been leading in organic farming, Sikkim is the first and the only state in India that has fully transitioned to organic farming. Encouragingly government programs like the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Regions (MOVCDNER) and the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) are driving organic adoption. These programs provide valuable support to farmers, including subsidies, training, and certification assistance. However, several challenges persist, including low productivity, high input costs, and limited market access, particularly for farmers in remote and hilly regions.

Organic yields are often 10-15% lower than those from conventional farming, with a higher input cost; however, this is offset by higher margins and profitability as the consumers are willing to pay premium prices for organic produce. This not only tackles nutritional security but enables an environment of entrepreneurship, decreases emigration in rural areas and uses existing local resources to promote farm productivity With higher market premiums and reduced synthetic input costs, organic farming can be 22–35% more profitable than conventional methods.

Certification takes three years of synthetic- free soil, making the transition labor-intensive but supportive of rural stability by providing more employment opportunities. Flexible, market-driven pricing reflects the true value of organic produce without MSP constraints. Despite having policies in place for a number of years, some states have not been able to cover much of their land in organic farming.

Contract farming and Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) can empower farmers by providing collective bargaining power, better market access, and infrastructure for primary processing. Additionally, promoting state-branded organic products like MP Organic and Naga Organic can increase consumer trust and demand.

On the supply side, access to credit, cold storage and transportation needs to be enhanced while simultaneously improving region-specific technology, and investing in research and development along with improving processing facilities and market infrastructure. On the demand side, widespread awareness campaigns need to be conducted about benefits of organic food and responsible consumption.

Organic farming is not just an agricultural practice; it is a movement toward profitable agriculture due to better pricing ,better soil health, sustainable living, better health, and ecological preservation. By supporting organic farming, we can invest in a future where food systems are not only productive but also sustainable and equitable.