Organic food shouldn't be expensive there is so much price difference that is making middle-class customers away from healthy food.
First, let's understand why organic food is expensive
Cost of Production is High
High Demand & Low Supply
Export Intention
Cost of Certification
Cost of production
Generally, farmers have to switch to organic farming to reduce the input cost by using the naturally available resources such as Farm yard manure and pest management techniques used traditionally, without using any synthetic chemicals in farming, Instead many cartels make farmers use expensive organic inputs and justify the overpricing to customers so the very purpose is defeated, in most instances farmer don't receive the benefit from over price.
High Demand & Low Supply
Over the past few decades, people realized the side effects of the Green revolution and understood the cause of an unhealthy society, awareness has increased and Demand for organic food is increased, The fact is Organic farming techniques yield anywhere between 30-to-50 percent less output so naturally, prices are pushing up, Because of shortage in overall organic production, Doors opened for fake products and very few lucky customers receive original organic and rest were created in India.
Export Intention
Most of the organic produce from India is intended for export to foreign markets. About 80% of the organic products from the country were exported to the European Union and the US, India is targeting almost US$1 billion worth of organic food exports in the years to come. a great influence on domestic pricing.
Cost of Certification
Organic farmers are required to pay a high fee for registration, accreditation, and certification. Approximately Rs 20,000 for the certification for each product. Apart from this, any chemical analysis is charged on actuals. If a farmer cultivates two different crops on his organic farm, then this fee is doubled. The average Indian farmer finds this almost unaffordable so the cost of production is raised.
Namastekisan believes that Small and diverse organic farms contribute to society's overall health, Organic farming for largescale farmers is not really viable because it needs additional investment for farm inputs, whereas small farmers manage to make their major farm inputs on their own.
If small farmers adopt organic and natural farming it helps them to reduce their production costs no unnecessary debt pressure, it is not easy if consumers don't buy if products are not certified, However, customers have no guarantee that they are receiving the genuine products from their trusted brands, Its important to trust small farmers.
NamasteKisan understood the pain of small organic farmers and is committed to creating market for their produce, We procure the majority of our products from these farmers,
If organic products are not very expensive more customers can afford them and more demand is generated and more farmers remain in organic farming and new farmers will get into the production of safe food which makes a healthy society.
By
Dr.Durgaprasad,
CEO,NamasteKisan