Organic Agriculture: Opportunities in Nepal

Organic Agriculture: Opportunities in Nepal

The rapid agricultural intensification, high input technology and use of high yielding hybrid varieties have increased the use of agro-chemicals. It has improved the agricultural production, by vigorous crop growth and controlling of disease and pest. However, the farmers of Nepal are unaware about the safe application, dosage, frequencies and waiting periods of the agro-chemicals. The haphazard use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has resulted deleterious effects on the human health causing immune-suppression, skin cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive abnormalities, birth defects and liver and kidney problems. The Farmers of Panchkhal VDC of Kavre are suffering from the side effects of overuse or misuse of pesticides.  The long term use of agro-chemicals in soil declines soil fertility and imbalances natural ecosystem. The organic farming can be the best choice to avoid such harmful effects of agrochemicals.

 Organic agriculture is a new name for the scientific and modern technology based traditional system of agricultural practices. In Nepal, the farmers of rural hills and mountains are farming in traditional way since historical periods. The chemical fertilizers haven’t reached some places yet due to the lack of infrastructure; farmers are knowingly or unknowingly practicing organic agriculture. This can be the right time for Nepal to start the organic farming as many places are way too far from the use of chemicals.

The majority of farmers are following subsistence agricultural system that can be beneficial in the Organic farming. The organic agriculture promotes the cultivation of underexploited and underutilized crops (horsegram, Foxtail millet) local fruit and vegetables that can play a vital role in fighting poverty and food insecurity in the hills and mountains of Nepal.  In organic farming, Farmyard manure, green manure and biofertilizers can be used over chemical fertilizers and instead of chemical pesticides, cultural, physical and biological methods of pest control can be carried out.  The organic farming reduces pesticide pollution, supplies safe food, protects environment, conserves natural resources and reduces use of high input. Organic farming is environment friendly, socially adjustable and economically feasible form of sustainable agriculture.

The consumption of organic food in the world market is increasing as it avoids the health hazards that can be caused by the residual effects of agro- chemicals. There is rapid growth of organic agriculture in the USA, Australia, Europe and several countries. In Nepal establishment of National Organic Agriculture Accreditation Body and the National Coordination Committee for Organic Agriculture Production and Processing System and policies supporting organic agriculture has made favorable environment for organic agriculture production. The National standard for organic agriculture and guidelines of certification has been developed that helps in domestic marketing and export of organic products. The national agriculture policy 2061 promotes export of organic products. The commodities such as organic honey, coffee, orthodox tea, large cardamom, ginger, MAPs has been produced organically in Nepal for export.

 The health benefits of organic products have increased the willingness of consumer to pay for organic products. The specialized markets for selling organic products have been started. The organic products are getting premium prices in international and domestic market as well. The organic agriculture can be the best opportunity for the utilization of inherent agro-ecological endowment of Nepal and can complement in the national economy.

Samita Paudel, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Lamjung