I read Dr S.S. Johl's article, "Exploit potential for organic farming' (Feb 15). Large-scale adoption of organic farming is being promoted since the global demand for organically produced foods is rapidly increasing (estimated at 10-20 per cent). The certified area under organic farming in India has also increased over the years to over three lakh hectares. For a successful organic food market system, farmers have to be adequately trained in the specific systems of management. Despite increasing emphasis, the decisive question from the anthropocentric viewpoint is whether the large-scale adoption of purely organic system (lower productivity, more than 25 per cent higher prices) in India would be able to meet the rising food demand at affordable prices or control food shortages (natural food stocks have already declined to less than 10 million tonnes). Issues that need to be addressed include ethical and strict adoption of rules, regulations and standards (global and domestic) following a three-year course, efficient harvest and post-harvest handling, maintenance of integrity of the organic products until they reach consumers, price support and profitability, quality control and certification, marketing and development of favourable policies. We should generate an eco-efficient, high productive, agro-commercial revolution to boost agro production with lower levels of chemical inputs, and ensure food and nutrition security. Efforts must be intensified to achieve maximum efficiency of organic and synthetic chemical inputs (pesticides in particular). Quality control regulations must be strictly implemented. Dr M.S. BAJWA, PAU Director Research (retd), Mohali
