STATUS OF ORGANIC FARMING

➢ Organic farming is now practiced in 120 countries and uncertified organic farming practices are also conducted in different countries.

➢ Gehlot D. (2012) reported that more than 37.2 million ha areas are currently managed organically by 1.8 million farms worldwide (IOAFM, annual report, 2012).

➢ It is estimated that about 4.6 % of the total edible food market is covered by organic products and it is increasing by 15–20 % every year in the world.

➢ Currently, the countries with the greatest organic areas are Australia (12.0 million ha), Argentina (3.8 million ha), United States of America (1.9 million ha).

➢ The total organic certifier in the world are 576 upto 2012 and the total affiliated members in IFOAM are 766 upto 1st January, 2013.

➢ The organic farming percentage of Europe is higher as compared with other continents.

➢ In Nepal, around 10,000 ha area is certified for organic agriculture and produced about 20 % of the total food as organic product.

➢ Organic agriculture was first appeared as one of the priority sectors in Nepalese agriculture since the 10th Five Years Plan (2059-064 BS).

➢ National agriculture policy 2061 BS- the promotion of organic agriculture is only for export.

➢Three Year Interim Plan (TYIP: 2007-2010)- earning more money but never seen from the own food and health.

➢ Due to lack of standard guidelines, knowingly or unknowingly practicing organic agriculture, various organic techniques, reach to consumers without labeling, expensive and hard to compete in the market.

➢ Nepalese organic products reach the standard for the Nepalese market only but competing with the international market is too hard.

➢ The major organic products of Nepal are tea, coffee, large cardamom, gingers, vegetables, honey and medicinal plants.

➢ Low crop yield, higher transportation cost from remote rural areas to urban areas.

➢ Jumla is already announced organic district by the government of Nepal. NARC and NARDF give least priority for organic farming.

➢ During the fiscal year 2066/067, Nepal government provides only 24 corores of subsidies in organic manures and certification process of organic products.

➢ National certifying body -Organic Certification Nepal (OCN), National network organization -Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG) and the private sector like Organic World and Fair Future (OWF), Organic Village etc are aggressively involved in promotion and marketing of organic products.

Why OA?

• Healthy soil
• Healthy food (Rising Cancer cases in Nepal: 4500 in 2008 against 800 in 1999)
• Healthy and safe environment (Eutrophification and soil & water pollution)
• Self-reliance (Total nutrient demand of NPK is 584,809 MT and supply is only 2,36375 MT with 56 kg/ha national average & 3,48434 negative balance).
• An annual import of pesticides worth 131 million rupees and fertilizers worth of 4000 million rupees; can we sustain?
• Efficient use of local knowledge and resources.
• International market (tea, coffee, honey, herbs and essential oil).
• Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.