Popularity of organic food is growing across the world due to its high nutritional content. In the present times, when everyone is so conscious about their health, organic farming is providing a pesticide free output. Organic way of cultivation is useful not just for consumers but also for the farmers. Cotton is one of the biggest users of chemical pesticides. When a member of an NGO suggested using organic method to produce cotton, it brought a revolution in Maharashtra. When organically produced cotton was tested by German Accredited Agency, AGRECO, it was found to be of high quality. It is claimed that organic farming is more profitable for farmers due to use of locally produced organic inputs (which substitute costlier agricultural inputs like HYV seeds, chemical fertilisers, etc.). Since organic agriculture is a bit more labour intensive as compared to the conventional agriculture, benefits of organic farming extend to the national level. Many countries have around 10 per cent of their food system under organic farming. Organic farming is not free of drawbacks. Despite of having certain downsides like the produce having blemishes, being costlier and having shorter shelf life, etc., organic farming helps in sustainable development of agriculture. India has a clear advantage in producing organic products. To avail the above advantages, India needs to have an appropriate policy supporting organic farming, create more awareness and willingness among farmers, apart from provision of adequate infrastructural and marketing facilities.

Which of the following is incorrect about organic farming?

the yields from organic farming are always less than modern agricultural farming

The correct answer is Option 1: the yields from organic farming are always less than modern agricultural farming.

It has been observed that the yields from organic farming are less than modern agricultural farming in the initial years. Therefore, small and marginal farmers may find it difficult to adapt to largescale production. Organic produce may also have more blemishes and a shorter shelf life than sprayed produce. Moreover choice in production of off-season crops is quite limited in organic farming. Nevertheless, organic farming helps in sustainable development of agriculture and India has a clear advantage in producing organic products for both domestic and international markets.