ORGANIC FARMING IN PUNJAB: ITS STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

In India, organic farming encourages environmentally friendly practices by avoiding synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GM crops. It uses organic methods like composting, crop rotation, and biological pest management. Even while organic farming still makes up a very small percentage of India's total agricultural landscape, its significance is progressively growing as a result of increased health and environmental consciousness as well as the growing demand for organic produce. About 3.7 million hectares, or 2% of India's total agricultural land, are grown organically as of 2023. With government programs like the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which provide farmers switching to organic practices with financial assistance and training, this field is still growing. Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim are among the states that have demonstrated leadership in organic farming; Sikkim was the first to obtain 100% organic classification. The lack of infrastructure, marketing avenues, and reasonably priced organic inputs remain major obstacles to the widespread expansion of organic farming, despite these achievements. But with sustained government backing, market demand, and technology developments, organic farming in India has enormous growth potential and is poised to play a significant role in the country's agricultural landscape going forward.