Organic farming in Nepal

Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizer derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen fixing cover crops.
We can explain it as:

• Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.
• It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycle adopted to local conditions.
• It combines tradition, innovation and science.
• It avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticide and genetically modified organisms.

Organic farming uses nature as a model.

• It doesn’t consume or release synthetic pesticides and chemicals.
• It considers the farm as an integrated entity.

There exist various advantages also.

• As they protect the environment, minimize soil degradation.
• They decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health.
• Also maintain long term soil fertility and maintain biological diversity within the system.
• It also recycles materials and resources.
• It promotes the health of livestock.

As well there are various disadvantages.

• Organic farming has less agricultural yield than conventional farming.
• Many labors are required for many biological and mechanical practices.
• It also requires many skills in labor or farming.
• Organic farming practices and techniques are time consuming.

Organic farming is gaining momentum in Nepal. It possesses great scope for its competitiveness as Nepal is home to many products, namely spices, essential oils and medicinal plants, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Organic food is slowly getting bigger both in terms of follower and producer in Nepal. With the ever increasing interest among urban Nepalese for organic food various aspects of organic farming are also surging. Nepali are now more concerned about what they eat and how they are produced or prepared. Being aware of the fact that the quality of the products consumers determine health and conditions they are willing to pay for healthy food products. This is one of the major reasons there is increasing demand for organic vegetables especially in urban areas. This is apparent when you see the growing number of restaurants in Kathmandu serving dishes made only from Nepali organic food which shows that Organic farming is essential in Nepal.

In the present context, population growth coupled with the drop in food production has led to the excessive use of chemical fertilizer. The inability of traditionally produced food to meet the day to day needs of the growing population has pushed the farmers to adopt newer technologies and use chemicals in farming to increase production.
However organic farming provides distinct benefits to its consumers and the environment. Nepal has not been able to harness the potential of this sector besides few commercial crops that serve as examples of organic farming and organic products such as tea,coffee,honey, ginger,cardamom,and medicinal herbs.