India's Organic Farms Reap Benefits

"New Delhi: As India struggles to deal with stagnation in its crucial agricultural sector, small-scale organic farming initiatives near the Capital are providing clues on how to reap healthy profits from the land.

Many farmers in India, where more than 70% of the people depend on the land, eke out a living—or else fall steadily into debt—trying to grow water, fertilizer and pesticide-heavy crops on an acre or two of land.
French farmer Roger Langbour poses among corn at his organic farm in Gurgaon district
French farmer Roger Langbour poses among corn at his organic farm in Gurgaon district
Agricultural growth has clocked in at a mere 2%—far behind the economic growth of 9%—leading the government to decide to spend up to Rs25,000 crore in a push for large-scale, industrial farms.

“Small and marginal farms have become an unviable proposition,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month, announcing the four-year investment in farm technology and infrastructure."

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