This scholarly work provides a comprehensive and application-oriented understanding of organic farming, emphasizing sustainability, soil health, and climate resilience within the Indian agricultural context. It presents organic agriculture as a holistic production system that integrates ecological principles with practical management strategies to enhance long-term productivity and environmental stability. The volume explains the foundational concepts of soil management, highlighting the importance of organic matter, biological activity, and climate-resilient practices in maintaining soil fertility. It discusses the suitability of crops and varieties for organic systems, stressing adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Considerable attention is given to nutrient management strategies, focusing on organic nutrient sources and their role in improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial diversity, while offering a balanced comparison with conventional fertilizer-based approaches. Eco-friendly management of pests, diseases, and weeds is explored through preventive, biological, and cultural methods that align with organic standards and minimize ecological disruption. The regulatory and institutional framework governing organic farming in India is clearly explained, including certification systems, quality assurance procedures, and compliance mechanisms essential for market credibility. The text also addresses post-harvest processing, labelling, and value addition to maintain product authenticity and consumer confidence. Economic viability, marketing strategies, and market linkages are analyzed to support informed decision-making by farmers and entrepreneurs. The export potential of organic products is examined alongside challenges related to standards and logistics. The role of government agencies and non governmental organizations in promoting organic agriculture is highlighted, underscoring their contribution to capacity building and policy support.
Dr. Pushpa Krishna is a distinguished agronomist with an outstanding academic and professional record. She earned two gold medals during her M.Sc. (Agri.) and subsequently completed her Ph.D., laying a strong foundation for excellence in teaching, research, and extension. Currently serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, she is actively involved in academic instruction and the training of future agricultural professionals. Dr. Pushpa has made significant contributions to human resource development by guiding several M.Sc. (Agri.) students and serving as an advisory committee member for numerous post-graduate scholars. Her scholarly achievements include more than 60 research publications, over 100 popular articles, and three textbooks, reflecting her commitment to advancing agronomic science and knowledge dissemination. She has actively participated in national and international conferences and serves on the editorial boards of reputed scientific journals. Her sustained contributions have established her as a respected academician and thought leader in the field of agronomy.
Prof. R. Krishna Murthy is an eminent soil scientist presently serving as a Professor and Scheme Head of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Soil Test Crop Response at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, Karnataka. He commenced his academic career in 2007 as an Assistant Professor at the College of Forestry, Ponnampet, UAS, Bangalore, and has since gained over 15 years of valuable experience in teaching, research, and extension in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry. He has played a significant role in human resource development by guiding four Ph.D. and twelve M.Sc. (Agri.) students and serving as an advisory committee member for 35 post-graduate scholars. Professor Murthy has an impressive record of scholarly contributions, including 181 full-length research publications and seven books. He has presented his research findings at several national and international conferences and symposia. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple reputed scientific journals. In recognition of his contributions, he was conferred the Fellowship of the Hind Agri-Horticultural Society in 2010. Under his leadership, the Soil and Water Management Centre was recognized as the Best AICRP Centre in 2015 by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, for excellence in soil and water management research in rice.
1. Introduction to Soil Management and Climate Resilience......................1
2. Principles and Scope of Organic Farming in India................................23
3. Selection of Crops and Varieties Suitable for Organic Farming............45
4. Nutrient Management Strategies in Organic Farming...........................65
5. Organic Sources of Nutrients and Their Role in Soil Fertility...............85
6. Comparison of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers for Major Crops.........................................................................................107
7. Pest Management in Organic Farming: Eco-friendly Approaches.......133
8. Disease Management under Organic Farming Systems.......................151
9. Weed Management Techniques in Organic Cultivation.......................169
10. Understanding the Operational Structure of NPOP.............................185
11. Certification Standards and Procedures in Organic Farming...............203
12. Processing and Labelling of Organic Products....................................223
13. Economic Viability and Marketing of Organic Produce......................241
14. Export Potential of Organic Products: Opportunities and Challenges............................................................................................259
15. Government and NGO Initiatives in Promoting Organic Agriculture in India..............................................................................275
