The word Organic / Natural, means origin from a living thing and farming with the philosophy of Organic is to make production system alive with long life. It is not just to replace fertilizers and pesticide with manure and predators but it is an ongoing dynamic process of making healthy soil, and ultimately a vital living system of the world. Natural farming, Organic farming, Permaculture, Eco farming are similar sustainable farming systems which are based on harmony with nature or near to nature approach. The indiscriminate use of fertilizers. Weedicides and pesticides (insecticides, acaricides, fungicides and nematicides) created a challenge for sustainability of modern horticulture and environment. Natural methods and Organic strategies are thus considered as a movement directed towards the philosophy of “Back to Nature”.
Through “Green Revolution” in late 1960’s India achieved self sufficiency in food production. The “Green Revolution” is associated not only with higher production through enhanced productivity, but also with several negative ecological and social consequences. Intensive farming system warranted the use of high doses of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and plant protection chemicals which have damaged the soil health (soil flora and fauna), productivity and also sustainability. Therefore, lack of sustainability in production in recent years is becoming a major cause of concern.
Those who are already conscious of the problems are now focusing attention on cost effective and nature friendly technologies, partly owing to the reason that in response to the changing consumer preference for farm produce devoid of chemical contaminants. Such farmers are evincing interest in organic agriculture as an alternative farming system. Even the farmers who are inspired by the philosophy of organic agriculture are yet to understand the concept well in its totality. Except for the occasional success stories appearing in publications and , that too, from the developed countries, the local farmers do not have the opportunity to observe and satisfy themselves of the feasibility and economic viability of the system under their farming situations.
In countries like India there are millions of farmers who still follow traditional farming methods. What is required is national level efforts to be launched and sustained through the local self government units or similar organizations created by the people. It has to take the shape of a farmer centered movement with access to research and development information from government and non-government sources.,
In modern society where consumers are becoming increasingly health conscious and environmentally aware, a major market for organic foods has developed and the organic sector, in particular, has sprung back into life to become one of the most dynamic sectors of the international food market.
Much research has been done on these strategies in various crops under controlled experimental conditions, but research is scanty in farmers insitu field conditions, which is actually vital support for promoting the organic farming. Impact of organic farming on crop growth, quantitative and qualitative yield, keeping quality, nutritional quality, soil health, environmental impact etc has to be systematically studied.