Organic Food and Farming: Regulations, Challenges and Market Evolution in India and Worldwide

Rahul Eknath Kamble; Vidhya Baban Wadmare; Kishor Kashinath Anerao; Prasad Sridharrao Gangakhedkar; Pratyush Kumari Rath; Gopal U Shinde

Rahul Eknath Kamble College of Food Technology, VNKMV, Parbhani, India
Vidhya Baban Wadmare College of Food Technology, VNKMV, Parbhani, India
Kishor Kashinath Anerao College of Food Technology, VNKMV, Parbhani, India
Prasad Sridharrao Gangakhedkar College of Food Technology, VNKMV, Parbhani, India
Pratyush Kumari Rath College of Food Agriculture, VNKMV, Parbhani, India
Gopal U Shinde College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology

Keywords: Organic farming, certification, regulatory framework, market dynamics

Abstract

With root causes ranging from environmental sustainability to food safety to consumer health, organic farming has become a proven alternative to conventional agricultural practices. The study focusses to give a brief overview of organic agriculture at a glance, a historical perspective, regulatory and market forces, and challenges in adoption, with focus on Indian and International markets. It also sheds light on the Green Revolution's contribution to contemporary agricultural practices as well as the growing global organic farming movement in the context of soil degradation, biodiversity reduction and health concerns related to chemical agricultural practices. It eventually addresses regulatory stakeholders in India, such as the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), and relevant international certifications like USDA Organic, EU Organic, and IFOAM-accredited certifications. Although Organic India holds tremendous potential for export but local policy gaps have reduced this potential. An international comparative analysis recommends measures such as strengthening financial support mechanisms, streamlining various certification processes, and improving consumer awareness to reinforce the growth of this sector. Given the higher GDP per capita in developed countries, promoting organic agriculture through inclusion in national policy planning and execution of supply chains (and further separated from traditional scientifically researched agriculture) can potentially strengthen food security, support environmentally sustainable agricultural growth, and most importantly, provide India with an upper hand as a leading player in the international organic produce market.