Benefits
- Increased nutrition content in food.
- Free from poisonous content (no chemical pesticides/fertilizers).
- Better and original taste.
- Longer storage life.
- Revives traditional farming practices.
- Saves soil and agricultural produce from contamination.
Challenges
- Supply Chain: Underdeveloped, difficult for small/mid-sized farmers to access market.
- Shortage of pack houses, refrigerated vehicles, leading to spoilage.
- Need for separate storage to avoid cross-contamination.
- Certification: PGS-India certified products cannot be exported (require third-party NPOP certification).
- Yield Loss: Risk of yield loss during conversion from chemical to organic farming.
- No specific subsidy for yield loss during conversion period in India.
- Input Shortage: Serious shortage of good quality organic inputs (fertilizers, seeds).
- Authenticity: Many brands claim organic, but not all are strictly compliant.
- Scalability: May not be practical for large-scale cultivation needed for India’s population.
- Cost: Organic products are often sold at premium prices, unaffordable for common man.