Role of Organic Farming in Enhancing Sustainable Agricultural Development: A Review of Indian Trends and Policy Implications

As global awareness of environmental issues increases, the importance of organic farming as a sustainable method of agriculture has also increased. It has gained significant attention as a viable alternative to conventional farming. This study examines previous research to assess how organic farming contributes to promoting sustainability. It also highlights the environmental, economic and social benefits, identifies barriers to adoption and proposes recommendations. The data related to organic farming and sustainable agricultural development were collected from various journals, periodicals, national programme of organic production, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the International Federation of Organic Farming Movements (IFOAM). The study revealed that the dependence on conventional farming has led to severe challenges, including soil degradation, water scarcity, greenhouse gas emissions and declining biodiversity. These impacts threaten the sustainability of agricultural systems and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Therefore, organic farming is the need of the hour for achieving the goal of sustainable agriculture development.