tailieunhanh - Marketing of Indian Organic Products: Status, Issues, and Prospects

Globally, the market for organic food products doubled between 2002 and 2007, to more than $46 billion (USD) [2,3], with North America representing one of the fastest growing markets in the sector. Canadian sales of organic products exceeded an estimated $1 billion in 2006 [4]. In 2009, Canada enacted new federal regulations for organic production, requiring mandatory certification to a revised national standard for all products represented as organic in inter-provincial or international trade. These regulations replace a previously voluntary certification process and address issues of regulatory equivalency between major trading partners. . | Marketing of Indian Organic Products Status Issues and Prospects Sukhpal Singh Abstract Organic farm production and trade has emerged as an important sector in India as in other parts of the developing world and is seen as an important strategy of facilitating sustainable development. This paper locates the rationale for organic farming and trade in the problems of conventional farming and trade practices both international and domestic and documents the Indian experience in organic production and trade. It explores the main issues in this sector and discusses strategies for its better performance from a marketing and competitiveness perspective. Key Words Organic farming marketing India ethical trade fair trade 1 Marketing of Indian Organic Products Status Issues and Prospects Introduction There has been plenty of policy emphasis on organic farming and trade in the recent years in India at various levels as the country is believed to be well placed in this regard. Organic produce is being seen as a natural choice by consumers and consequently by producers in both international and domestic markets due to the problems in the supply chain of conventional or manistream agro produce. The growing health concerns and increasing non-tariff barriers like Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary SPS measures in the international market Naik 2001 coupled with non-viability of modern farming on a small scale are some of the factors behind the move from chemical based to organic production and consumption systems. The 10th five year plan emphasizes promotion of and encouragement to organic farming with the use of organic waste Integrated Pest Management IPM and Integrated Nutrient Management INM GOI 2003 . Even 9th five year plan had emphasized the promotion of organic produce in plantation crops spices and condiments with the use of organic and bio inputs for protection of environment and promotion of sustainable agriculture GOI 2001 . There are many state and private agencies involved .