Literature Review

The challenges for organic farming can be categorized in to three main fields: certification of
farmers, developing markets for organic products within the developing countries and connecting
them to export markets. It is worth noting that many, but not all, traditional agricultural systems
are organic by default and would thus meet organic certification standards as they are or with some
improvements. Thousands, if not millions, of farmers in this situation could possibly take
advantage of organic markets if they had proper access to them. Consumers are increasingly
willing to pay a premium for organic products especially in Tier 1 and 2 cities with the growing
awareness towards healthy and nutritional food growing. Boron, S. (2006), suggests in Building
resilience for an unpredictable future: how organic agriculture can help farmers adapt to climate
change that organic farming offers opportunities for increased resilience of the farming system
and the self-reliance of households.
Although organic farming requires more human labour, cost of cultivation has been found lower
due to savings on chemical fertilizers, irrigation, seeds and agrochemicals. The yields have been
observed to be relatively lower on organic products but are more than compensated by the price
premium fetched by them. K.G. Kshirsagar (2006), suggests for Organic Sugarcane Farming for
Development of Sustainable Agriculture in Maharashtra that organic sugarcane farming has been
found to conserve the soil and water resources, increases farmers’ income, thereby enhancing their
economic well-being and livelihood security. Thus, organic farming can also be viewed as an
important contributor in achieving the goal of sustainable agriculture. It seems therefore in order
to achieve full potential in profitability as well as addressing sustainability, organic farming should
receive prime attention from all the stakeholders.