IIRD has played a dynamic role in the past decade by initiating and implementing programmes in organic agriculture, which influenced government policies and policies of voluntary organizations in favour of organic agriculture. IIRD in co-operation with several NGOs and thousands of organic farmers developed the first set of organic standards with relevance to agro-climatic and agricultural practices in the country (Concepts, Principles and Basic Standards of Indian Organic Agriculture), which has been translated in several languages in the country.

In order to promote organic agriculture based upon local and domestic markets, IIRD has also developed the first manual on organic bazaars and initiated the process of producer-consumer partnership in sustainable agriculture. IIRD also has done pioneering work in the field of bio-diversity by identifying various legume, cereal and pulses, which are not cultivated, but included in the food basket of rural poor and developed programmes to conserve these crops in order to ensure foods security in the local area.

For the Marathwada region, IIRD in collaboration with national research institutions Marathwada University has prepared a manual for appropriate organic farming methods taking into consideration the situations in the region – soil, climatic, social, economic, and biodiversity. This manual is being followed by the organic farmers of the region and is also used as training material during the training of local farmers.

Organic Agriculture Training –

IIRD, with its experience of working in the area of organic agriculture for more than a decade, has vast knowledge and resources in this field. Tapping on this expertise, IIRD is successful in conducting various training courses, workshops, and seminars in the field of organic agriculture and related practices of certification and marketing.

- IIRD has been nominated by the central Government to carry out training courses for Government selected Service Providers who are involved in facilitating certification and marketing of organic agricultural produce of small and marginal farmers.
- IIRD regularly conducts training courses for small and marginal farmers in Marathwada region, particularly women farmers of Paithan Taluka, on organic farming practices and environment.
- With IIRD’s initiative in some parts of the country in bringing about alternative marketing methods for organic products that benefit small and marginal farmers, IIRD organizes regular training in alternative marketing or organic bazaars.
- In collaboration with ENCON (Environment Consulting Company) and ECOCERT (Certification Company), regular national and international training courses are held in the area of organic agriculture certification and marketing. The participants at these trainings include representatives from NGOs, Government, private companies, farming cooperatives, consultants, and traders, from India and neighboring countries of Asia.

Training on Organic Agriculture

Demonstration of Cow Pat Pit - a Biodynamic Compost Preparation

Local Guarantee Systems and Alternative Certification –

Due to various constraints that include – high cost of certification by foreign and established certification agencies, lack of access to information, lack of education and skills required to keep records and documentation required for conventional certification procedures, and incompatible prescriptions by international standards, local certification for organic produce was initiated by IIRD and found to be a viable alternative for small and marginal farmers of rural India. IIRD, with the participation of farming communities in Paithan Taluka, developed local standards applicable and appropriate to the situations of the region and promoted this to small farmers in Marathwada. Initially, IIRD trained forty five eco-volunteers on all aspects of organic technology, systems and local marketing. These eco-volunteers are women organic farmers who continuously monitor, guide and inspect organic farms in their areas. Once certified, alternative systems of marketing or organic bazaars are used to market the produce in local markets.

 

District Organic Promotion Centres (DOPC) –

IIRD, in collaboration with partner organizations with similar interests, has established DOPCs in 4 districts of Marathwada – Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, and Hingoli. The DOPCs aim to promote organic farming in their respective districts through trainings, identifying and mobilizing the farmers, promoting alternative marketing, and facilitating local guarantee and certification of organic products. The DOPCs have been successful in transforming 300 to 500 organic farmers with small land holdings in each of the district and have put in place alternative systems of marketing at the respective district level with effective consumer-producer linkages.

Promotion of Organic Bazaars –

Several years of experimentation in local marketing of organic produce by IIRD has resulted in the development of a system of local marketing suitable for the rural and urban context in India. Organic Bazaars in Aurangabad will be strengthened through workshops for consumers, increased involvement of the organic farmers and consumers and with better infrastructure. Local farmers organization, farmer based training programmes and low cost community based certification are the salient aspects of organic bazaars. Through the DOPCs the organic bazaars are already established in 4 other districts of Marathwada.

At the national level, in collaboration with partner organizations, IIRD has initiated organic bazaars in four states of India namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

Organic Bazaar at Aurangabad

Organic Link - An Organic Outlet to sell Guaranteed Organic Produce of Small and Marginal Farmers

Biodiversity Conservation –

Biodiversity Conservation from the perspectives of preserving on farm and off farm bio-diversity, safeguarding medicinal herbs, providing food security and generating more incomes for small farmers are implemented. IIRD has worked in the field of bio-diversity during the past years and has identified cereals, pulse and legume crops, which are getting fast extinct. Documentation of these crops, cultural practices and economic value of them has been assessed. A manual has also been prepared to propagate these crops in the region. Efforts are made to stress on the economic value of the crops and integrate them in organic farms. For the purposes of bio diversity conservation the following components and activities are undertaken -
i. Bio diversity volunteers in the six community centers of IIRD. Three volunteers would continuously update the current bio diversity information by conducting bi–monthly workshops for organic farmers of the model Small Grower Group Scheme (SSGS). They would also enable the farmers to incorporate the details of plants in the farmers Diary and the plants, which are endangered.
ii. The bio diversity volunteers would also be in charge of collection and preservation of native seeds specially through women farmers and organize and sustain seed banks in the six community learning centers of IIRD.
iii. Associate and involve in the training programme organized by IIRD for farmers of Marathwada region.
iv. Consistently introducing bio diversity and indigenous knowledge related products in the organic bazaars and the local marketing initiatives.