Rajasthan's Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat Certified as Fully Organic
Bamanwas Kankar in Rajasthan becomes the first panchayat certified fully organic, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Photo by Steven Weeks
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Panchayat: Bamanwas Kankar
District: Kotputli-Behror
Certification: Fully organic
Support: COFED
Key Dates
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Visual Insights
Location of Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat
Map showing the location of Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Kotputli-Behror district, Rajasthan, the first fully organic certified panchayat in the state.
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Exam Angles
GS Paper 3: Environment, Agriculture
Links to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Potential questions on government schemes and policies related to organic farming
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Summary
Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Rajasthan has become the first village body in the state to be certified as fully organic. The panchayat, comprising seven hamlets in Kotputli-Behror district, addressed soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and health concerns linked to chemical-based farming. All farming activities are free of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, with animal husbandry following ecological standards.
The transition was supported by COFED, focusing on natural resource conservation and sustainable farming. Farmers have observed increased biodiversity and access to premium markets. COFED aims to convert 300 panchayats into fully organic village bodies by year-end.
Background
The concept of organic farming in India has deep roots in traditional agricultural practices. Before the widespread adoption of the Green Revolution technologies in the 1960s and 70s, Indian agriculture was largely organic by default, relying on natural fertilizers like cow dung and crop rotation. The Green Revolution, while increasing yields, introduced chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to environmental degradation and health concerns.
In the late 20th century, a renewed interest in traditional and sustainable farming practices emerged, driven by concerns about the negative impacts of chemical-intensive agriculture. This led to the formalization of organic farming standards and certification processes, aiming to promote environmentally friendly and healthy agricultural practices.
Latest Developments
Recent years have witnessed a growing emphasis on promoting organic farming through various government schemes and initiatives. The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) are key programs aimed at supporting organic farming clusters and value chains. Furthermore, there's an increasing focus on participatory guarantee systems (PGS) to ensure the credibility of organic certification, especially for small and marginal farmers.
The trend towards organic farming is also driven by consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable food options. The future outlook involves scaling up organic farming practices, strengthening certification processes, and integrating organic produce into mainstream markets.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding organic farming in India: 1. Organic farming practices were virtually non-existent in India before the Green Revolution. 2. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes cluster-based organic farming with PGS-India certification. 3. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) focuses exclusively on export-oriented organic produce. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect as traditional farming practices were largely organic before the Green Revolution. Statement 3 is incorrect as MOVCDNER focuses on developing certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and supports the entire value chain from inputs, production, processing, certification, marketing, and branding initiative.
2. With reference to the Bamanwas Kankar panchayat being certified as fully organic, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The panchayat is located in the Kotputli-Behror district of Rajasthan.
- B.The transition to organic farming was supported by COFED.
- C.The panchayat is the first village body in Rajasthan to achieve this certification.
- D.The primary focus of the organic transition was to increase crop yield through advanced irrigation techniques.
Show Answer
Answer: D
The primary focus of the organic transition was to address soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and health concerns linked to chemical-based farming, not primarily to increase crop yield through advanced irrigation techniques.
3. Consider the following statements: I. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a certification approach that involves direct participation of stakeholders, especially producers and consumers. II. PGS certification is primarily designed for individual farmers seeking to export their organic produce to international markets. III. PGS-India certification is recognized under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for domestic market access. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I and II only
- B.I and III only
- C.II and III only
- D.I, II and III
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement II is incorrect. PGS is primarily designed for local markets and direct sales, not for export. NPOP certification is required for export.