Dr. Somesh Kumar Meshram, Dr. Serlene Tomar, Dr. Abhilasha Singh, Dr. Baleshwari Dixit and Dr. Kumar Govil
Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry Rewa (M.P.)Organic food or meat is raised or processed by biological, mechanical and physical methods in a way that maintains the vital quality of each ingredient and the finished product. It is produced, without involving the application of manmade fertilizers or pesticides and without using genetically modified organisms. Organic foods typically are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or synthetic food additives. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals reared under organic animal husbandry practices. Major challenges and constraints are faced during organic meat production expressed below.
Regulations related issue: The Indian certification processes are seen to be tiresome, inefficient and recognized as the major issue that diminish the progress of the sector. Excessive paper work and poor control of certifying agencies on ground and weak accreditation process is the key issue. In this regard third party certification system is felt to be generally good. For every producer especially small producers it is not easy to be accessible. Small producers sometimes may have only a small amount of produce and is not be viable for the farmer to sell it directly. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have decided to consider the organic food regulations as “Enabling Regulations” and not for prosecution, particularly for small original producers and producer organization during the initial phase of its implementation till April 1, 2020. Small producers (turnover of less than Rs 12 lakh) may be allowed to sell organic food without any certification i.e. NPOP/PGS-India,” as mentioned by FSSAI. Radical revamp of the overall system and regulation, introduction of more international practices, drastic reduction of paper work and digitalization is the need of time.
Organization of organic sector: Organic sector seems to be unorganized and unmonitored. This can be improved by motivating and educating the producer and assuring consumers too. This will help to grow domestic as well as global market. Defined vision, policy, infrastructure, regulation, support, skilling etc. are the basic need to boost the sector. The efforts and plans of government with the producers are required for direct linkage to the market. Organic producers need to be pooled and channelized through established supply chains to ensure maximum benefits. Collective effort under a national plan and platform can provide focus and impetus to place “India Organic” in the premium global supermarket.
Market related issue: Development of the domestic market is extremely critical for the overall sustainability of the organic sector. The old fashion marketing system, with most producers selling directly to the consumers, or through one small specialized grocery store, is becoming less important, as market share, due to the entry and fast expansion of supermarket chains and of the franchising approach to distribution. They require a stable and homogeneous flow of planned supply, in big quantities. There are very few retail shops in India that store and sell organic food items. Many fake organic products are also available in the markets, which are diminishing the profits of genuine vendors. Credibility of Indian certification in top markets of Europe and USA was opined as not universally acceptable. Perception of spurious exports from India as ‘certified’ is a challenge to be overcome and impact overall credibility. Therefore organization: associations, cooperatives, platforms can play major role in marketing the organic food. The challenge ahead is to organize the markets more and more, in order to benefit the consumers, the producers and the environment, without losing the characteristics which made the organic market a bit different from the conventional one.
Economic issue: Investment required in organic food production is more therefore the cost of organic food products is higher than that of conventional food items. Although ensured higher profit from organic product, it is difficult to invest such amount for small producer.
OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE SCOPE
Organic sector in India have lot of potential, only matter is the right interventions should be made. India has an inherent advantage in organic cultivation because of its varied geography and climatic conditions. As the awareness level has been rising among people nowadays at a very fast pace because of easy access to mass information through the internet or media, people know how organic products are produced and how they are beneficial for them. As a result of this, more and more people in India are going for organic than traditional. The total consumption of organic products has exceeded day by day. Many aspects of organic meat production remain either undeveloped or not considered as of yet. Small producers from all over India are backbone and their involvement is strictly needed to develop organic sector. In addition to more scientific research on organic meat, there is a need for improving the consumer awareness about specific regulations directed towards organic meat production, processing, and retail. In order to increase the organic food purchases from those consumers, an expansion of the organic market can be a solution. For the organic meat market to continue growth the production base must expand to meet increasing market demands, followed by industry integration and developing more value-added and further processed organic meat products. Government of India plays role in providing policy, subsidy or incentive to encourage new beginner or small producers and manage a supply chain between domestic and global market.
CONCLUSION
The world’s largest number of organic cultivators and adequate land in India shows assurance in organic sector. Increasing interest by consumers in organic meat may be due to their concern of potential food safety and quality issues. The perceived differences in food safety, nutritional quality and sensory characteristics between conventional and organic meat must be concentrating on claims that need to be substantiated. Organic production promising the animal welfare, sustain environment and also build economic strength is the demand of present time. There are several challenges at every stage from production to final consumption which needs to be addressed in order to develop the industry further, especially related to certification, organization, marketing etc. Appropriate approach is requisite to lift the immense potential of organic food/meat industry in India.