In the 1960s, the Green Revolution catapulted Indian agriculture into a new era, offering high-yield seeds and introducing agronomists to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Yet, decades later, the environmental toll left many asking, “Is there a healthier, greener way?”
The answer? Organic farming! Embraced globally, organic farming takes us back to natural, sustainable practices. But in an age of tech-driven solutions, even this earthy method has evolved with the power of Farm Management Software (FMS).
Why FMS? Think about a digital tool that assists you in every step—from soil health to market timing—guiding your organic farm like a digital farming partner.
So, without any further ado, let’s review how to start organic farming business and see how FMS can unlock new efficiencies and support sustainable practices.
Steps of Organic Farming in India: A Comprehensive Guide
Want to know how to do organic farming in India? Let us look at the step-by-step guide below to get a better idea:
Step 1: Land Selection & Soil Health – Starting with a Strong Foundation
The first critical decision for starting an organic farming business is the land itself. Soil previously exposed to chemicals often requires a detox period to qualify for organic certification. Here’s where FMS steps in.
FMS Impact: Precision Soil Analysis
FMS can help analyze soil reports, provide required insights, and even conduct soil analysis using satellite data. The software analyzes nutrient levels, helping you choose natural amendments to enrich the soil.
So, instead of guessing, you get a clear, science-backed blueprint for nourishing your land and getting it certified faster. Besides, many organic farms witness better yields and healthier crops due to effective soil management with FMS precision agricultural technology.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Crops & Planning Your Plantation
Organic farming business in India thrives on planting crops that match your region’s climate and soil. With FMS, this task becomes a data-driven science rather than a roll of the dice.
FMS Impact: Strategic Crop Selection & Scheduling
FMS analyzes soil conditions, weather forecasts, and market trends, recommending the best crop varieties and their ideal planting times. Want to diversify? FMS can suggest optimal crop rotations, ensuring that you maintain soil health and avoid pest problems naturally. The result? A solid planting plan that optimizes both yield and soil integrity.
Did You Know? Farms using FMS have a considerable increase [1] in crop yield compared to those without tech support due to precise crop selection and timing.
Step 3: Organic Nutrient Management – Feeding Crops the Natural Way
By knowing how to start organic farming, you can say goodbye to synthetic fertilizers and embrace composts, manure, and other natural nutrients. However, maintaining consistent nutrient-rich crop management levels can be challenging.
FMS Impact: Real-Time Nutrient Monitoring
With FMS, nutrient plantation management is no longer a guessing game. The software monitors soil nutrient levels in real time, alerting you when your crops need organic fertilizers and recommending precise applications. FMS keeps track of every nutrient addition to ensure compliance with organic standards, boosting crop health without compromising organic integrity.
Step 4: Pest & Disease Management – Preventing Problems Naturally
Pest control in organic farming is like a chess game; without pesticides, you need strategic moves to prevent pest diseases in agriculture. Here, FMS offers a significant advantage.
FMS Impact: Proactive Pest and Disease Control
FMS uses weather data, historical pest patterns, and local climate insights to anticipate potential pest outbreaks. The software can alert you to pest threats and recommend natural solutions, like companion planting or biological controls, well in advance.
With these insights, you prevent issues before they escalate, ensuring crop protection without a single drop of pesticide.
Fun Fact: Farms using FMS report up to 20% fewer crop losses [2] due to early pest intervention.
Step 5: Certification Made Easy – Documenting Your Organic Journey
Certifying an organic farming business can feel like climbing a mountain, given the numerous records and inspections involved. Luckily, FMS can handle the documentation for you, making compliance a breeze.
FMS Impact: Seamless Certification Support
From tracking organic inputs to maintaining compliance records, FMS logs every action, making certification audits simpler.
With a digital footprint of every step, your organic journey is verified, documented, and ready for inspection at any time. The software simplifies the certification process so that you can focus on the fields instead of paperwork.
Step 6: Harvesting with Precision – Timing for Market Success
Harvesting in organic farming is a delicate balance. You want peak freshness, but you also need to capture the best market prices. FMS helps strike this balance.
FMS Impact: Optimized Harvest Timing and Market Insights
With FMS, you get real-time market insights to determine the best time for harvest based on crop maturity and market demand. It even suggests the ideal logistics for transporting fresh produce. So, instead of storing organic crops for days, you hit the market at the perfect time, maximizing profit while ensuring freshness.
Step 7: Marketing Your Organic Produce – Reaching the Right Buyers
In organic farming, it’s not just about growing; it’s about reaching conscious consumers who value quality. FMS not only supports production but also connects you with the right markets.
FMS Impact: Targeted Marketing & Market Access
With FMS, marketing isn’t a shot in the dark. The software offers insights into consumer demand and price trends, guiding your produce to the best-selling points, from local markets to organic distributors. It can even help agronomists connect with e-market platforms for direct-to-consumer sales, expanding reach without the middleman.
Reducing Organic Farming Setup Cost in India with FMS
A common myth about starting an organic farming business in India is that it’s expensive. But with FMS, costs are controlled and optimized at every level.
- Water Efficiency: FMS uses sensor data to optimize irrigation [3], reducing water consumption by a whopping 61%.
- Nutrient Savings: Targeted nutrient recommendations mean you use exactly what’s needed, saving on organic fertilizers.
- Pest Control Savings: With real-time alerts, you prevent infestations rather than reacting to them, reducing losses.
Conclusion: The Future of Organic Farming Business with FMS
Organic farming isn’t just about growing crops; it’s about cultivating trust, health, and a sustainable future. Nevertheless, as global demand for organic produce grows, so does the complexity of managing organic farms.
For farms transitioning or expanding into the organic farming business, FMS offers the infrastructure needed to thrive in a high-demand market. Khetibuddy is here to empower you every step of the way with our smart Farm Management Software, transforming your organic farming journey with data-driven precision.
Ready to join the organic revolution with Khetibuddy? Let’s grow the future of farming naturally and efficiently!
FAQs
- How can FMS help in organic farming?
FMS assists organic agronomists by providing data-driven insights for land selection, soil management, crop planning, pest control, and certification compliance, ensuring efficient and profitable organic farming practices.
- What is the cost of organic certification in India?
The cost of organic certification varies. India Organic certification costs around Rs. 40,000-50,000 for 5-6 acres of land, while PGS Organic certification is free but limited to domestic markets.
- Can FMS help reduce the setup cost of organic farming?
Yes, FMS helps optimize water usage, reduce fertilizer costs, and prevent pest outbreaks, all of which reduce the overall cost of organic farming.