As the world grapples with the growing challenges of climate change, rapid population growth, and increasing health risks, the urgency of adopting sustainable agricultural practices like organic farming has never been more critical. In light of this, Krishi Jagran, in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as a knowledge partner, is hosting the International Conference & Workshop on 'Mission 2047: MIONP' - Make India Organic, Natural, and Profitable. The two-day event, taking place at the NASC Complex, ICAR, New Delhi, will run until March 21, 2025.
This gathering has united a diverse range of experts, researchers, stakeholders, farmers, and professionals from various fields, all committed to addressing the three key challenges of the MIONP movement. With the overarching theme of 'Bharat ka Jaivik Jagran' and the focus on a Profitable Transition for Jaivik Bharat (PTJB), the event seeks to accelerate India's journey toward becoming a global leader in organic and natural farming. This ambitious initiative envisions a fully organic, natural, and profitable farming ecosystem in India by 2047, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s aspiration to become a global powerhouse for sustainable agriculture.
The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting, carried out by the esteemed guests on the dais, followed by addresses by the eminent speakers at the dais.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairman of PPV&FRA and Former DG of ICAR (Chief Guest), stated, “As the world’s most populous country, India is currently in a comfortable position in terms of food production. However, we must continue this production trend to feed the growing population in the coming years. We are also facing challenges related to medicines and harmful foods. Globally, around 72 million hectares are under organic cultivation, while in India, only about 2 million hectares are dedicated to organic farming. We need a systematic plan to transition India to organic farming, using science and technology. This is not an overnight process; farmers will adopt it gradually. There should be unified recommendations for farmers, and it’s our responsibility to implement them effectively.”
He stressed that policy interventions and in-depth discussions at NITI Aayog are essential to make this transition smoother and turn it into a reality. Detailed, area-specific research is crucial, and we must deliberate on all key aspects. Interventions at all levels are needed to make organic India a reality. Policy support and investments from both the government and private sectors are necessary, and collaboration is key. Now is the time to act and move forward.
Dr. R.B. Singh, Former Chancellor of Central Agricultural University, stated, “The MIONP initiative launched by Krishi Jagran is truly impressive. With India’s growing population, increasing food production has become an urgent priority.” He emphasized the numerous challenges currently facing the agricultural sector and stressed that addressing these issues requires collective action, guided by the principle of 'One World, One Family.'
Dr. Tarun Shridhar, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, emphasized the importance of organic farming and highlighted the need for science and agriculture to collaborate in addressing agricultural challenges. He pointed out that there is no authentic global data on the percentage of land under organic cultivation but noted that India contributes to 30% of global organic farming. As India progresses toward the Mission Organic India initiative, he extended his best wishes for its success.
Pramod Chaudhary, President of the Bhartiya Agri Economic Research Centre, stated, “Our country has come a long way from a time of food scarcity to now being a food surplus nation, even exporting food to other countries.” He also highlighted the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on health, contributing to the rise in cancer and other diseases. "I am personally working on this issue with the slogan ‘Rasayan Mukt Kheti, Jahar Mukt Samaj,’" he said. "Scientists are also focused on making India organic without compromising on yield, quality, or farmers' income. I extend my best wishes to the entire Krishi Jagran team for this noble initiative."
Dr. M.S. Reddy, Founder & President of the Asian PGPR Society, extended his best wishes for making India organic. He highlighted that our country is already the largest producer of organic products. Dr. Reddy also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to eliminate chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and crop protection chemicals, to ensure nutritious and safe food for all, without compromising yields. He urged, “Let’s work together to achieve this goal.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Ajay Ranka, Managing Director of ZYDEX, shared his vision for India in 2047, stating, "By then, our water resources should be abundant, and the landscape should be green everywhere. To achieve this, we must embrace organic farming." He emphasized that farmers should be seen as private entrepreneurs who are also working for profit. Dr. Ranka addressed the challenges farmers face during the transition to organic farming, highlighting the importance of healthier soil through aeration, increased humus, and enhanced microbial activity. He stressed that organic inputs play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture and boosting crop growth.
Additionally, he discussed seed germination and seed encapsulation technology, explaining that encapsulation is a process where active agents are enclosed within a carrier material. This technique is a valuable tool for improving the delivery of bioactive molecules and living cells into foods. Concluding his speech, Dr. Ranka proudly stated, "‘Jai Jawan Jai Jaivik Kisan’ is our slogan now. Let’s work towards making it a reality.”
Souvik Debnath, Head of Technology & Digital Innovation at BLU COCOON DIGITAL, shared his company’s journey and emphasized the role of technology in supporting the farming community. He stressed the importance of educating farmers about digital tools through training and highlighted that authentic data is crucial for success. "Collaboration is key to creating a digitally empowered farming community," he added.
Prateek Uniyal from HarvestPlus said, “We are working with millions of farmers across the country, focusing on biofortified foods rich in iron and zinc. It is crucial to make India organic, and I extend my best wishes for this initiative.”
Welcoming the esteemed guests, MC Dominic, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran and Agriculture World highlighted the crucial need for nutritious and safe food for all, stressing the importance of organic farming. He emphasized that this can be achieved without compromising yields while also boosting farmers' incomes. "The primary focus will be the 'One Crop Goal of Profitable Transition,'" he said. "Together, let's make the dream of an organic India a reality by 2024. Let's unite and work towards this shared vision."
Thereafter, Shiny Dominic, Managing Director of Krishi Jagran, felicitated all the esteemed guests, followed by group photograph.
As the event progressed, the global session began with an address by Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, Agriculture Extension, ICAR. He emphasized the need to scale up organic farming on a large scale, citing government initiatives like the National Mission for Natural Farming and the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), alongside various state government initiatives. He also highlighted challenges in organic farming and stressed the importance of simplifying certification processes.
Dr. Manoj Nardeo Singh, Secretary General of AARDO (Chief Guest), concluded the session by saying, “We are all working together to make India organic and natural by 2047, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat. The vision of a developed Bharat will not be possible without the contributions of women and farmers. We must work with them to make this vision a reality. Achieving this goal requires a scientific and practical approach. We are also focusing on rural development and collaborating with the government. Let us return to the natural way of farming. Mahatma Gandhi was a strong believer in natural farming and self-reliant villages.” He also highlighted the importance of organic foods for better health and a cleaner environment.
Dr. CK Ashok, Founder of First World Community, praised the MIONP initiative led by Krishi Jagran under the visionary leadership of Mr. and Ms. Dominic. “The time has come to shift towards poison-free food,” he said. “We all need to come together to make MIONP a reality – this is the second green revolution in our country.” He also emphasized the importance of vetiver in rejuvenating soil and promoting sustainable agriculture and wished success to the mission.
C.K. Timbadia, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Organic University, said, “Natural farming is chemical-free farming where cow dung-based fertilizers are used. In Gujarat, many farmers have already adopted natural farming and become models for the country under the leadership of Acharya Devbrat, Governor of Gujarat. If farmers do it diligently, they receive good yields and higher income. Natural farming is the need of the hour.”
MK Dey, GM of NABARD, shared, “Over 300 FPOs are working on organic and natural farming. NABARD facilitates the extension of farm credits to assist farmers. I wish the organizers great success with the mission and extend my best wishes to the team for its success.”
Surender Rana, Deputy Managing Director of State Bank of India, highlighted the bank's efforts to support farmers' welfare by providing easy access to credit. He added, “We are working on converting farmers from producers to processors.”
PadmaShri Sundaram Verma stressed the importance of crop diversification in improving income and ensuring sustainability. He pointed out the challenges of natural farming and said, “We need to take a holistic approach to achieve the goals of the MIONP initiative,” while also reiterating the need for organic farming and wishing success to MIONP.
Kamal Somani, Managing Director of Somani Seedz, stated, “We achieved the Green Revolution earlier, and now we are focused on making India organic and natural.” He mentioned that the seed industry has developed many hybrids that work well with biofertilizers and organic fertilizers.
Dr. Debabrata Sarkar, MD of AlgaEnergy, highlighted the work his company is doing as a leading biotechnology-based firm in the microalgae sector. The company focuses on researching, developing, and commercializing the next generation of biological inputs for more competitive and sustainable agriculture. He also shared his thoughts on improving soil fertility in a sustainable manner.
Dr. Praful Gadge, MD of Biome Technologies, emphasized, “We must prioritize soil health as the foundation for sustainable agriculture. At Biome Technologies, we provide innovative solutions and technical expertise across the agri-input sector, helping over 150 global clients improve productivity and sustainability.”
Thereafter, Shiny Dominic, Managing Director of Krishi Jagran, felicitated all the esteemed guests, followed by a group photograph.
The event progressed with four simultaneous Round Table Sessions in different halls at NASC Complex, ICAR, focusing on eight transformative pillars crucial to the advancement of organic farming in India. These included:
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Enhancing Farm Yard Manure Quality & Efficiency
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Restoring Soil Fertility
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Improving Crop Yields Through Technology
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Reducing Water Use & Recharging Groundwater
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Biological Pesticides & Natural Crop Protection
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Precision Farming for Smart Agriculture
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Capacity Building for Organic Input & Output Testing
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Desi Seed Development & Utilization
By embracing organic farming, this initiative aims not only to safeguard the environment but also to provide economic empowerment for Indian farmers, enabling them to achieve greater independence. The ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable, healthier food system for India and the world at large. With these efforts, India is poised to become a global powerhouse in sustainable agriculture by 2047. A crucial part of this approach is the "One Crop Goal of Profitable Transition," emphasizing a structured and economically viable shift for farmers towards sustainable agricultural practices.
