Tackling the future challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry - vTI

RAHMANN G & GODINHO D (Ed.) (2012): Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry.
Proceedings of the 2 nd OAHC, Hamburg/Trenthorst, Germany, Sep 12-14, 2012
mers. If the farmers were empowered with knowledge on risk reducing technologies and skilful
enough to manage farm efficiently through well designed farm plans, then they might be confident
enough to run their respective enterprises. Moreover, working in groups often leads to exchange of
information and resources as well as other inputs which might be beneficial to the farmers involved.
The Organic Producer Groups (OPGs), should be trained and encouraged in these lines by making
them technologically sound as well as empowered with skill which greatly enhances the chances of
success and reduction of risks. This might be the reason for farmers mentioning group certification
as also one important risk management strategy during conversion to organic livestock farming.
Group certification is a good opportunity for small holder developing country farmers to benefit
from the opportunities offered in the main organic agriculture markets (Twarog 2006). Diversification
provides a key opportunity to spreading out the risk for organic farmers. Reduced input costs,
diversified production and improved local nutritional security were the risk management strategies
as mentioned by Mathur (2007).
Suggestions to tackle the future challenges of organic animal husbandry
The ideology behind principles and standards of organic animal husbandry is not new to the Indian
farming system, whose farming community insist upon the animal welfare and animal natural rearing
systems since ancient times. Moreover, a country rich in indigenous animal genetic resources
like India is very much suitable for adopting this innovative farming system. However, the livestock
farmers need to be oriented and educated about the standards and how to overcome the risks they
might face in adoption of organic livestock standards. The livestock advisors should be trained and
skilled enough in providing the services in livestock management and permitted therapies in organic
rearing systems. The research on the locally adaptable management and disease preventive measures
need to be emphasized by the government, organic promoting agencies as well as NGOs, keeping
in view the potential of Indian farmers who can meet the requirements of organic livestock
product demand not only locally but also globally in the near future.
References
Lampkin N H (1994) :Researching organic farming systems. In: Lampkin N H and S Padel (eds.). The
economics of organic farming. An International perspective. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, 27-
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Lien G, Flaten O, Ebbesvik M, Koesling M & Valle P S (2003): Risk and risk management in organic and
conventional dairy farming: Empirical results from Norway. International Farm Management Congress.
Mathur S (2007): Contribution of organic agriculture to poverty reduction in Asia and Latin America. In:
Papers submitted to the International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, FAO, Rome,
Italy,21.
Twarog S (2006): Organic Agriculture: A Trade and Sustainable Development opportunity For Developing
Countries, UNCTAD Trade and Environment Review, 140-193.
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