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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organic livestock products. India exports certified organic honey, which may be extended initially
to small ruminants, for organic textile/garments including the materials like hides, leather and wool.
The ITK of farmers may provide effective option for veterinary care through proper validation, as
also the negligible use of agro-chemicals especially in drylands and hilly regions, makes favourable
environment for organic livestock production. Grass based extensive production systems prevalent
in parts of India have good potential for conversion into organic animal husbandry. Moreover, Indian
livestock breeds being less susceptible to diseases and stress, need less allopathic medicines/antibiotics.
With rising literacy and the consumers‘ awareness and concern about animal
welfare issues and health foods, domestic consumption of organic foods including of animal origin
is likely to get a boost.
Threats
The international trade in organic livestock products from the developing world is considered a risky
business due to poor sanitary conditions, existence of diseases, traceability problems as also the
self sufficiency in importing countries, which might discourage producers in India too. But rich
segments among the Indians might offer market niche for organic livestock products, which can be
tapped.
Suggestions to tackle the future challenges of organic animal husbandry
The producers in India need to overcome the weaknesses and harness the strengths and opportunities,
while developing their capacity in terms of knowledge, skills, infrastructure, animal feeding,
hygiene, sanitation, disease control and assured certified supply chain required for organic livestock
production. Large-scale commercial farms usually undertake most organic livestock production in
industrialized countries; whereas, the small scale producers having limited resources and low risk
bearing ability dominate Indian livestock sector. Nevertheless, they may cater to domestic consumers,
if not exports currently. The emerging need of the quality conscious high end consumers in
metros for organic quality animal products is required to be met locally. The local organic milk,
meat and egg production may subsitute import if any, while generating employment, reducing foreign
exchange demand, stimulating innovation, and making the country self-reliant in critical areas
like food. Organic livestock production may be encouraged through research & development efforts
including establishment of model organic livestock farms, processing units, traceability tools, and
capacity building measures, besides consumer awareness on health foods. Consumers need to be
told that the safe milk, meat, eggs and products their of that they are looking for is the one that is
‘certified organic‘, while farmers need to be made aware of this demand to enable them to translate
it into the new market opportunity!
References
Chander M, Subramanyeswari B, Mukherjee R and Kumar S. 2011.Organic livestock production: an
emerging opportunity with new challenges for producers in tropical countries. OIE Scientific and Technical
Review 30, 3, 969-983.
Scialabba N.E. & Hattam C. 2002. Organic agriculture, environment and food Security. FAO, Rome, Italy.
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