A Comparative Analysis of Organic Farming in Jharkhand and West Bengal, India

Agriculture plays a crucial role in developing countries like India, meeting the food security of a growing population, thereby accelerating economic growth. The Green Revolution significantly increased agricultural productivity and brought previously uncultivated land into use. However, it exerted huge adverse effects on natural resources, particularly soil, water, biodiversity, and human health. But organic/ecological farming relies on natural processes and materials for food production, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and additives in livestock feed. It also promotes the strength of agro-ecosystems, enhances biodiversity, and supports biological cycles. Worldwide, it is practiced in 191 countries, covering over 76 million hectares and involving 3.7 million farmers. As of 2021, approximately 2.66 million hectares in India were dedicated to organic farming. This study aims to examine the current state of organic farming in drought-prone regions of Jharkhand and West Bengal, where marginal farmers are predominant. This study is based on secondary data published by the FiBL Survey, NPOP, and APEDA. Compound Average Growth Rate has been applied to analyze the data and map it on the GIS platform. It emerged that approximately 71.23 lakh farming families reside in West Bengal, of which 96% are small and marginal farmers, whereas in Jharkhand, the area under organic farming was 51,187.9 ha in 2017-18. This study contributes valuable insights into the current state of organic farming in these regions, serving as a resource for policymakers, farmers, and agricultural scientists to develop strategies that encourage organic practices, ultimately enhancing future food security.