Organic Input Production and Marketing in India: Efficiency, Issues and Policies

A big step towards institutionalization of organic farming in the country— India launched its National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) during 2004. Besides its other objectives, NPOF aims at setting up of organic input producing units across different parts of the country. Providing an overview of the current status of organic farming in India and at the global level, the present work is an evaluative empirical study of the progress made so far by the country in production of organic input, through a detailed case study of 8 units set up under NPOF. Various constraints in establishment of such units, marketing of organic inputs, and usage of organic inputs by farmers have also been identified in the process, besides assessing the economics and efficiency of organic farming across different states of the country. The findings of the study and its policy oriented recommendations should be of high value to all those concerned with development and promotion of organic farming over the world.