Tackling the future challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry - vTI

! Agriculture and Forestry Research, Special Issue No 362 (Braunschweig, 2012) ISSN 0376-0723
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The export figures further rose to US$122 Million in 2009-10 (Figure 1). Also, the certified Indian
organic products have compliance with the EU and NOP standards of USA making it important
country in global agribusiness. This paper, thus, based on SWOT analysis explores the possibility of
organic livestock production and shows a roadmap for development of organic animal husbandry in
India.
To benefit from this emerging system of food production, producers in developing countries must
build their capacity and take into account their natural advantages for organic livestock production
(Chander et al 2011).
Material and methodology
A research project was undertaken by the authors during 2005-2011, to analyse the prospects of
organic animal husbandry in India. Under this project, the data were collected from different categories
of farmers in different agro-climatic regions of India through field surveys using an interview
schedule which contained 40 questions concerning inputs like medicines, fertilizers, feeds, fodder,
prevalence of diseases in livestock etc. Also, intensive case studies of registered organic farmers
were conducted alongside personal interviews in the states where organic farming was being promoted
through policy intervention by the government. Maximum respondents were from dryland
states (1216) followed by hill/mountain states (229) and irrigated states (169). Considering the
suitability of mountain regions for promotion and development of organic animal husbandry, a
focused survey of 180 registered organic farmers (111 Male & 69 female) registered with Uttarakhand
Organic Commodity Board (UOCB), was also undertaken, to know the compatibility of local
livestock production practices with the Organic Animal Husbandry Standards (OAHS). Similar
survey was also carried out in Mizoram state, where, 150 registered organic farmers and 50 officials
involved with organic farming promotion were interviewed for SWOT analysis. These registered
organic farmers were supported for organic crop production activities, but they were not involved
with organic livestock production per se.
Results
The findings revealed:
1. Many farmers across India now produce and sell certified organic Basmati rice, spices, cotton,
tea, coffee, fruits etc. with the assistance of the government agencies, NGOs, buyers and certification
agencies. But the success stories on certified organic animal husbandry are not yet
available, though most of the production practices of farmers were in consonance with the
OAHS. The farmers of hill areas, dryland/rainfed conditions might switch to organic livestock
farming, if they are properly oriented, trained and marketing support is avalable as in case of
organic crop production in Uttarakhand and Mizoram in particular. The farmers see an opportunity
in producing and selling certified organic livestock products alongside organic crop products,
if they were provided training and supported in marketing of their organic livestock products
like milk, butter oil, backyard poultry eggs and meat.
2. The government agencies have done appreciable work in setting up model organic villages, model
organic farms, organic shops, along with substantial efforts made in marketing and capacity
building of trainers and farmers in different aspects of certified organic crop production. The
developments in the area of crops and composting may be seen as precursor to the organic animal
husbandry development in the future, since most of the livestock and poultry rearing practices
in these states were found to be very close to the organic production practices, though by
default.
3. The domestic market is still very weak for organic products, even more weaker for organic livestock
products.Nevertheless, some entrepreneurs have taken up organic production of milk and
its products for local consumption and exports.
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