Editing Organic farming (section)

== Regional support for organic farming ==
[[File:World Area Under Organic Agriculture, Main Countries (2021).svg|thumb|Percentage of World area using organic agriculture by country in 2021]]
[[File:Share Of Area Under Organic Agriculture In Total Agricultural Area, Top Countries (2021).svg|thumb|Share of area under organic agriculture in total agricultural area by country in 2021]]
The following is a selected list of support given in some regions.

===Europe ===
The [[EU-organic production-regulation]] is a part of the [[European Union regulation]] that sets rules about the production of organic [[agricultural]] and [[livestock]] products and how to label them. In the EU, organic farming and [[organic food]] are more commonly known as ecological or biological.<ref name="eu_organic_labelling" />

The regulation is derived from the guidelines of the [[International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements]] (IFOAM), which is an association of about 800 member organizations in 119 countries.

As in the rest of the world, the organic market in Europe continues to grow and more land is farmed organically each year. "More farmers cultivate organically, more land is certified organic, and more countries report organic farming activities" as per the 2016 edition of the study "[http://www.fibl.org/en/media/media-archive/media-archive16/media-release15/article/bio-waechst-weiter-weltweit-437-millionen-hektar-bioflaeche.html The World of Organic Agriculture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111203222/http://www.fibl.org/en/media/media-archive/media-archive16/media-release15/article/bio-waechst-weiter-weltweit-437-millionen-hektar-bioflaeche.html |date=11 November 2017 }}" according to data from the end of 2014 published by [[FiBL]] and [[IFOAM]] in 2016.

==== Denmark ====
[[Denmark]] has a long ongoing support for converting conventional farming into organic farming, which has been taught in academic classes in universities since 1986. The state began substitutes and has promoted a special national label for products that qualify as organic since 1989. Denmark is thus the first country in the world to substitute organic farming, promoting the concept and organizing the distribution of organic products.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Økologiens historie|url=https://faktalink.dk/titelliste/okologi/okologiens-historie|access-date=2021-06-14|website=Faktalink}}</ref> Today the government accept applicants for financial support during conversion years, as in Danish regulations farms must not have utilized conventional farming methods such as the usage of pesticides for several years before products can be assessed for qualification as organic. This financial support has in recent years been cut due to organic farming increasing in profitability, and some goods surpassing the profitability of conventional farming in domestic markets. In general, the financial situation of organic farmers in Denmark boomed between 2010 and 2018, while in 2018 serious nationwide long-lasting droughts stagnated the economic results of organic farmers; however, the average farmer still achieved a net positive result that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Første gang i ti år: Økologer tjener færre penge|url=https://landbrugsavisen.dk/f%C3%B8rste-gang-i-ti-%C3%A5r-%C3%B8kologer-tjener-f%C3%A6rre-penge|access-date=2021-06-14|website=LandbrugsAvisen|language=da}}</ref> In 2021 Denmark's (and Europe's) largest slaughterhouse, [[Danish Crown (company)|Danish Crown]], publicized its expectations of stagnating sales of conventional pork domestically, however it expected increasing sales of organic pork and especially [[free range]] organic pork.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Danish Crown-datter vil slagte langt flere grise|url=https://landbrugsavisen.dk/danish-crown-datter-vil-slagte-langt-flere-grise|access-date=2021-06-14|website=LandbrugsAvisen|language=da}}</ref> Besides the conversion support, there are still base subsidies for organic farming paid per area of qualified farm land.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Økologisk Arealtilskud|url=https://lbst.dk/tilskudsguide/oekologisk-arealtilskud-5-aarige-tilsagn/#c4457|access-date=14 June 2021|website=Landbrugsstyrelsen}}</ref>

The first Danish private development organisation, SamsØkologisk, was established in 2013, by veteran organic farmers from the existing organisation Økologisk Samsø. The development organisation has intentions to buy and invest in farmland and then lend the land to young and aspiring farmers seeking to get into farming, especially organic farming. This organisation reports 300 economical active members as of 2021, but does not publish the amount of acquired land or active lenders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Om os {{!}} Økologisk Samsø|url=https://oekologisksamsoe.dk/om-os/|access-date=2021-06-14|language=da-DK}}</ref>

However, the organic farming concept in Denmark is often not limited to organic farming as the definition is globally. Instead, the majority of organic farming is instead "ecological farming". The development of this concept has been parallel with the general organic farming movement, and is most often used interchangeable with organic farming. Thus, there is a much stronger focus on the environmental and especially the ecological impact of ecological farming than organic farming. E.g. besides the base substitute for organic farming, farmers can qualify for an extra substitute equal to 2/3 of the base for realizing a specific reduction in the usage of added [[nitrogen]] to the farmland (also by organic means).<ref name=":6" /> There are also parallels to the extended organic movements of [[regenerative agriculture]], although far from all concepts in regenerative agriculture are included in the national strategy at this time, but exist as voluntary options for each farmer. For these reasons, international organic products do not fulfill the requirements of ecological farming and thus do not receive the domestic label for ecological products, rather they receive the standard [[European Union]] organic label.

==== Ukraine ====
The [[Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (Ukraine)|Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine]] is the central executive body that develops the regulatory framework for the organic sector in Ukraine, maintains the state registers of certification bodies, operators and organic seeds and planting material, and provides training and professional development for organic inspectors.

Thanks to the hard work on organic legislation by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the organic working group that includes the main players of the Ukraine's organic sector, on 10 July 2018, the [[Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine]] (the Ukrainian Parliament) adopted the [https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2496-19?lang=en Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products” No. 2496], which was enacted on 2 August 2019. As of April 2024, organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products in Ukraine is regulated by this law as well as relevant [https://minagro.gov.ua/napryamki/organichne-virobnictvo/zakonodavstvo-u-sferi-organichnogo-virobnictva-obigu-ta-markuvannya-organichnoyi-produkciyi by-laws].

One more important governmental institution of the organic sector of Ukraine is the [https://dpss.gov.ua/en State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection]. It is the central executive body authorised to conduct state supervision (control) in the field of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products in accordance with the organic legislation of Ukraine. This includes state supervision (control) over compliance with the legislation in the field of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products: inspection of certification bodies; random inspection of operators; monitoring of organic products on the market to prevent the entry of non-organic products labelled as organic.

The [https://business.diia.gov.ua/en/eepo State Institution “Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office”] (EEPO, Ukraine) contributes to the development of the Ukrainian organic exporters’ potential, promotion of the organic sector and formation of a positive image of Ukraine as a reliable supplier of organic products abroad. EEPO actively supports and organises various events for organic exporters, including national pavilions at key international trade fairs, such as [[BioFach|BIOFACH]] (Nuremberg, Germany), Anuga (Cologne, Germany), SIAL (Paris, France), and Middle East Organic & Natural Products Expo (Dubai, UAE). EEPO also created the Catalogue of Ukrainian Exporters of Organic Products in partnership with [https://organicstandard.ua/en/ Organic Standard] certification body.

Organic farming is Ukraine is also supported by international technical assistance projects and programmes implementation of which is funded and supported by Switzerland, Germany, and other countries. These project/programmes are the Swiss-Ukrainian program [https://qftp.org/en/ “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP)], financed by Switzerland and implemented by the [[Research Institute of Organic Agriculture]] (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG (Switzerland); the Swiss-Ukrainian program [https://www.ifoam.bio/our-work/how/facilitating-organic/organic-trade-4-development “Organic Trade for Development in Eastern Europe” (OT4D)], financed by Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by [[IFOAM - Organics International|IFOAM – Organics International]] in partnership HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture ([[Research Institute of Organic Agriculture|FiBL]], Switzerland); [http://coa-ukraine.com/en/ Project “German-Ukrainian Cooperation in Organic Agriculture” (COA)].

The project/programme representatives provide their expertise during development of the organic legislative framework and implementation of the legislation in the field of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products and support various activities related to organic farming and production.

===China===

The Chinese government, especially the local government, has provided various supports for the development of organic agriculture since the 1990s. Organic farming has been recognized by local governments for its potential in promoting sustainable rural development.<ref>[https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9070 Aijuan Chen. (2015). China's Path in Developing Organic Agriculture: Opportunities and Implications for Small-scale Farmers and Rural Development] ''PhD Thesis, University of Waterloo''</ref> It is common for local governments to facilitate land access of agribusinesses by negotiating land leasing with local farmers. The government also establishes demonstration organic gardens, provides training for organic food companies to pass certifications, subsidizes organic certification fees, pest repellent lamps, organic fertilizer and so on. The government has also been playing an active role in marketing organic products through organizing organic food expos and branding supports.<ref>[https://www.routledge.com/Organic-Food-and-Farming-in-China-Top-down-and-Bottom-up-Ecological-Initiatives/Scott-Si-Schumilas-Chen/p/book/9781138573000 Steffanie Scott, Zhenzhong Si, Theresa Schumilas and Aijuan Chen. (2018). Organic Food and Farming in China: Top-down and Bottom-up Ecological Initiatives] ''New York: Routledge''</ref>

===India===

In India, in 2016, the northern state of [[Sikkim]] achieved its goal of converting to 100% organic farming.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/article623309.ece "Sikkim to become a completely organic state by 2015"]. ''The Hindu''. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120119053930/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-07/global-warming/28288790_1_organic-farming-organic-agriculture-organic-manure "Sikkim makes an organic shift"]. ''Times of India''. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2010/08/07/stories/2010080753371900.htm "Sikkim 'livelihood schools' to promote organic farming"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528222608/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2010/08/07/stories/2010080753371900.htm |date=28 May 2013 }}. ''Hindu Business Line''. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111213/jsp/siliguri/story_14873566.jsp "Sikkim races on organic route"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709033203/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111213/jsp/siliguri/story_14873566.jsp |date=9 July 2014 }}. ''Telegraph India''. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2012.</ref><ref name=SikkimEtc>Paull, John (2017) [https://www.academia.edu/35179966/Four_New_Strategies_to_Grow_the_Organic_Agriculture_Sector "Four New Strategies to Grow the Organic Agriculture Sector"], Agrofor International Journal, 2(3):61-70.</ref> Other states of India, including [[Kerala]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/state-to-switch-fully-to-organic-farming-by-2016-mohanan/article6517859.ece|title=State to switch fully to organic farming by 2016|first=K. A.|last=Martin|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 October 2014|publisher=Mohanan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2014/nov/07/cm-will-get-total-organic-farming-state-tag-by-2016-679699.html|title=CM: Will Get Total Organic Farming State Tag by 2016|website=The New Indian Express|date=7 November 2014 }}</ref> [[Mizoram]], [[Goa]], [[Rajasthan]], and [[Meghalaya]], have also declared their intentions to shift to fully organic cultivation.<ref name=SikkimEtc />

The South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is also promoting organic farming, especially Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), which is a form of [[regenerative agriculture]].<ref>Balk, Sabine; Dembowski, Hans; Thallam, Vijay Kumar. [https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/why-government-andhra-pradesh-south-indian-state-promoting-organic-farming "Four wheels of Zero Budget Natural Farming"], ''[[D+C - Development + Cooperation]]'', 10 November 2019.</ref>

As of 2018, India has the largest number of organic farmers in the world and constitutes more than 30% of organic farmers globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/30-per-cent-of-world-s-organic-producers-are-in-india-59748|title=More than 30 per cent of world's organic producers are in India|date=21 February 2018|access-date=25 August 2020|publisher=downtoearth.org}}</ref> India has 835,000 certified organic producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.organicwithoutboundaries.bio/2019/02/28/organic-agriculture-statistics-book-2019|title=Global Data Reveals Another Record Year for Organic Agriculture|date=28 February 2019|access-date=25 August 2020|publisher=organicwithoutboundaries.bio}}</ref> However, the total land under organic cultivation is around 2% of overall farmland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organic Farming in India |url=https://www.ceew.in/publications/sustainable-agriculture-india/organic-farming |website=Council on Energy, Environment and Water|date=19 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-07 |title=Ethical, Sustainable and Organic Farming - Long road ahead for India |url=https://blog.kannukutty.com/organic-difficult/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Blog of Kannukutty Organic |language=en}}</ref> The current level food production is 1.5 times greater than what’s needed to feed the world. It is thus sufficient to feed 10 billion people which is the projected population peak of 2050 (Holt-Gimenez, 2012). Yet one in nine people remain hungry in the world today (FAO, IFAD, and WFP, 2015).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discussion Paper : Organic Agriculture: An option for fostering sustainable and inclusive agriculture development in India |url=https://www.teriin.org/policy-brief/discussion-paper-organic-agriculture-option-fostering-sustainable-and-inclusive |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.teriin.org |language=en}}</ref>

===Dominican Republic===

The [[Dominican Republic]] has successfully converted a large amount of its [[banana]] crop to organic.<ref name="SikkimEtc"/> The Dominican Republic accounts for 55% of the world's certified organic bananas.<ref name=SikkimEtc />

=== South Korea ===
The most noticeable change in Korea's agriculture occurred throughout the 1960s and 1970s. More specifically, the "[[Green Revolution]]"<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |last=Moon |first=Manyong |date=2012 |title=The dual Green Revolutions in South Korea: reforestation and agricultural revolution under the authoritarian regime |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22834068/#:~:text=In%20South%20Korea,%20th%20e |journal=Historia Scientiarum: International Journal of the History of Science Society of Japan |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=161–173 |issn=0285-4821 |pmid=22834068}}</ref> program where South Korea experienced reforestations and agricultural revolution. Due to a food shortage during [[Park Chung Hee]]'s presidency, the government encouraged rice varieties suited for organic farming.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last=Burmeister |first=Larry L. |date=1987 |title=The South Korean Green Revolution: Induced or Directed Innovation? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1153892 |journal=Economic Development and Cultural Change |volume=35 |issue=4 |pages=767–790 |doi=10.1086/451621 |jstor=1153892 |s2cid=153939024 |issn=0013-0079}}</ref> Farmers were able to strategize risk minimization efforts by breeding a variety of rice called Japonica with Tongil.<ref name=":13" /> They also used less fertilizer and made other economic adjustments to alleviate potential risk factors.<ref name=":11" />

In modern society, organic farming and food policies have changed, more specifically since the 1990s. As expected, the guidelines focus on basic dietary recommendations for consumption of nutrients and Korean-style diets.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Background |url=http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/background/en/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |language=en}}</ref> The main reason for this encouragement is that around 88% of countries across the world face forms of malnutrition.<ref name=":14" /> Then in 2009, the [https://unicefeaproinasactoolkit.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/the-special-act-on-childrens-dietary-life-safety-management_seoul_korea-republic-of_5-15-2009.pdf Special Act on Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life] was passed, restricting foods low in energy and poor in nutrients.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Choi |first1=Seul Ki |last2=Frongillo |first2=Edward A. |last3=Blake |first3=Christine E. |last4=Thrasher |first4=James F. |date=July 2017 |title=Food Availability in School Stores in Seoul, South Korea After Implementation of Food- and Nutrient-Based Policies |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/josh.12518 |journal=Journal of School Health |language=en |volume=87 |issue=7 |pages=498–505 |doi=10.1111/josh.12518|pmid=28580674 }}</ref> It also focused on other nutritional problems Korean students may have had as well.{{Educational assignment}}

=== Thailand ===
In Thailand, the {{visible anchor|Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Communities}} (ISAC) was established in 1991 to promote organic farming (among other sustainable agricultural practices). The national target via the National Plan for Organic Farming is to attain, by 2021, {{convert|1.3|e6rai|km2 sqmi|abbr=off}} of organically farmed land. Another target is for 40% of the produce from these farmlands to be consumed domestically.<ref name="chiangmaicitylife.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citylife-articles/thailands-organic-concerns-understanding-the-complexities-of-organic-farming-in-thailand/|title=Chiang Mai Citylife - Thailand's Organic Concerns: Understanding the complexities of Organic Farming in Thailand|website=www.chiangmaicitylife.com|date=September 2017 |access-date=2018-06-07}}</ref>

Much progress has been made:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/fighting-thailands-drought-with-biodiversity/a-19361397|title=Fighting Thailand's drought with biodiversity {{!}} DW {{!}} 28.06.2016|last=(www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche Welle|website=DW.COM|access-date=2018-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.creativechiangmai.com/orgview.php?org_id=152&sorgcate_id=&stxt=&sort=&order=|title=CREATIVE CHIANG MAI|website=www.creativechiangmai.com|access-date=2018-06-07|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705010550/http://www.creativechiangmai.com/orgview.php?org_id=152&sorgcate_id=&stxt=&sort=&order=|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="chiangmaicitylife.com"/>

* Many organic farms have sprouted, growing produce ranging from mangosteen to stinky bean. 
* Some of the farms have also established education centres to promote and share their organic farming techniques and knowledge. 
* In Chiang Mai Province, there are 18 organic markets. (ISAC-linked)

=== United States ===
The [[USDA Rural Development|United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development]] (USDARD) was created in 1994 as a subsection of the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] that implements programs to stimulate growth in rural communities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USDA Rural Development to Hold Office Day in Palacios {{!}} Rural Development|url=https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-rural-development-hold-office-day-palacios-0|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.rd.usda.gov|date=2 February 2015}}</ref> One of the programs that the USDARD created provided grants to farmers who practiced organic farming through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)|url=https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index|access-date=2020-12-08|website=temp_FSA_02_Landing_InteriorPages|date=22 September 2020 }}</ref> During the 21st century, the [[United States]] has continued to expand its reach in the organic foods market, doubling the number of organic farms in the U.S. in 2016 when compared to 2011.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|title=Organic farming is on the rise in the U.S.|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/10/organic-farming-is-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s/|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Pew Research Center|date=10 January 2019 }}</ref>

Employment on organic farms offers potentially large numbers of jobs for people, and this may better manage the [[Fourth Industrial Revolution]]. Moreover, sustainable forestry, fishing, and mining, and other conservation-oriented activities provide larger numbers of jobs than more fossil fuel and mechanized work.

* Organic Farming has grown by {{convert|3.53|e6acres|abbr=off}} in the U.S. from 2000 to 2011.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Squalli |first1=Jay |last2=Adamkiewicz |first2=Gary |date=2018-08-10 |title=Organic farming and greenhouse gas emissions: A longitudinal U.S. state-level study |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |volume=192 |pages=30–42 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.160 |bibcode=2018JCPro.192...30S |s2cid=158696303 |issn=0959-6526}}</ref>
* In 2016, [[California]] had 2,713 organic farms, which makes California the largest producer of organic goods in the U.S.<ref name=":02" />
* 4% of food sales in the U.S. are of organic goods.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=USDA ERS - Organic Agriculture |url=https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/organic-agriculture/|access-date=2020-11-18 |website=www.ers.usda.gov}}</ref>

=== Sri Lanka ===
As was the case with most countries, [[Sri Lanka]] made the transition away from organic farming upon the arrival of the Green Revolution, whereupon it started depending more on chemical fertilizers. This became a highly popularized method when the nation started offering subsidies on the import of artificial fertilizers to increase rice paddy production, and to incentivize farmers to switch from growing traditional varieties into using high yielding varieties (HYVs).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weerahewa |first1=Jeevika |last2=Kodithuwakku |first2=Sarath S. |last3=Ariyawardana |first3=Anoma |date=2010 |title=The Fertilizer Subsidy Program in Sri Lanka |url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/55709 |language=en-US}}</ref> This was especially true for young farmers who saw short-term economic profit as more sustainable to their wellbeing, compared to the long term drawbacks to the environment.<ref>{{cite journal |last=SOORIYAKUMAR |first=K |title=Farmers' Willingness to Pay for the Ecosystem Services of Organic Farming: A Locality Study in Valikamam Area of Sri Lanka |date=2019 |journal=Applied Ecology and Environmental Research |volume=17 |issue=6 |page=13815 |doi=10.15666/aeer/1706_1380313815 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019ApEER..1713815S |s2cid=216122392 |issn=1589-1623}}</ref> However, due to the various health concerns with inorganic farming including the possibility of a chronic kidney disease being associated with chemical fertilizers, many middle aged and experienced farmers displayed skepticism towards these new approaches. Some even resorted to organic farming or utilizing insecticide free fertilizers for their crops.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite journal |last1=Horgan |first1=Finbarr G. |last2=Kudavidanage |first2=Enoka P. |date=2020-06-01 |title=Use and Avoidance of Pesticides as Responses by Farmers to change Impacts in Rice Ecosystems of Southern Sri Lanka |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=65 |issue=6 |pages=787–803 |doi=10.1007/s00267-020-01272-x |pmid=32107569 |bibcode=2020EnMan..65..787H |s2cid=211525758 |issn=1432-1009}}</ref> In a study conducted by F. Horgan and E. Kudavidanage, the researchers compared crop yields of farmers in Sri Lanka who employed distinct farming techniques including organic farmers who grew traditional varieties, and insecticide-free fertilizer users and pesticide users who grew modern varieties.<ref name="auto3"/> No significant difference was found among the yield productions and in fact, organic farmers and insecticide-free fertilizer users lamented less about insects such as planthoppers as a challenge to their production. Regardless, many farmers continued to use insecticides to avoid the predicted dangers of pests to their crops, and the cheap sale of agrochemicals provided an easy approach to augment crop growth. Additionally, while organic farming has health benefits, it's a strenuous task which requires more man power.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Qiao |first1=Yuhui |last2=Halberg |first2=Niels |last3=Vaheesan |first3=Saminathan |last4=Scott |first4=Steffanie |date=2015-06-08 |title=Assessing the social and economic benefits of organic and fair trade tea production for small-scale farmers in Asia: a comparative case study of China and Sri Lanka |journal=Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems |language=en |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=246–257 |doi=10.1017/S1742170515000162 |s2cid=154966563 |issn=1742-1705}}</ref> Although that presented a great opportunity for increased employment in Sri Lanka, the economic compensation was not enough to suffice the living expenses of those employed. Thus, most farmers relied on modern methods to run their household, especially after the economic stressors brought on by COVID-19.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |author1=Ted Nordhaus |author2=Saloni Shah |date=March 5, 2022 |title=In Sri Lanka, Organic Farming Went Catastrophically Wrong |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/05/sri-lanka-organic-farming-crisis/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Foreign Policy}}</ref>

However, while Sri Lanka was still facing the new challenges of the pandemic, in the [[2019 Sri Lankan presidential election|2019 presidential election]] campaign, the president, [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] proposed a 10-year, national transition to organic farming to declare Sri Lanka as the first nation to be known for its organic produce.<ref name=":7"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=A rush to farm organically has plunged Sri Lanka's economy into crisis |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/10/16/a-rush-to-farm-organically-has-plunged-sri-lankas-economy-into-crisis |access-date=2022-07-12 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> On April 27, 2021,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-14 |title=Sri Lanka's organic revolution hits farmers hard |language=en |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2022/06/14/in-sri-lanka-the-sabotage-of-an-organic-revolution_5986670_114.html |access-date=2022-08-22}}</ref> the country issued an order prohibiting the import of any inorganic pesticides or fertilizers, creating chaos among farmers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendis |first=Bakthi Dharmapriya |title=Prof. Vandana Shiva hails Lanka's decision to ban chemical fertilizer |url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/06/09/local/251203/prof-vandana-shiva-hails-lanka%E2%80%99s-decision-ban-chemical-fertilizer |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Daily News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title=Sri Lanka Going Organic: Rethink the strategy; Agriculturists Write to President |website=The Sri Lankan Scientist |url=https://scientist.lk/2021/06/08/sri-lanka-going-organic-rethink-the-strategy-agriculturists-write-to-president/ |access-date=2022-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Priyadarshana |first=Tharaka S. |date=2021-12-03 |title=Sri Lanka's hasty agrochemical ban |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm9186 |journal=Science |language=en |volume=374 |issue=6572 |pages=1209 |doi=10.1126/science.abm9186 |pmid=34855499 |bibcode=2021Sci...374.1209P |s2cid=244856651 |issn=0036-8075}}</ref> While such a change was made over concerns for the nation's ecosystems and the health of citizens where pesticide poisonings prevailed over other health related deaths,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Van Der Hoek |first1=W. |last2=Konradsen |first2=F. |last3=Athukorala |first3=K. |last4=Wanigadewa |first4=T. |date=1998-02-01 |title=Pesticide poisoning: A major health problem in Sri Lanka |journal=Social Science & Medicine |language=en |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=495–504 |doi=10.1016/S0277-9536(97)00193-7 |pmid=9460829 |issn=0277-9536}}</ref> the precipitous decision was met with criticism from the agriculture industry. This included fears that the mandate would harm the yields of the country's major crops (despite claims to the contrary), that the country would not be able to produce enough organic fertilizer domestically, and organic farming being more expensive and complex than conventional agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organic food revolution in Sri Lanka threatens its tea industry |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/1/organic-food-revolution-sri-lanka-tea-industry |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":7" /> To put this into perspective, 7.4% of Sri Lanka's GDP is reliant on agriculture and 30% of citizens work in this sector.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-28 |title=Sri Lanka Commercial Guide |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/sri-lanka-agricultural-sector |website=International Trade Administration}}</ref> This means that about ⅓ of its population is dependent on this sector for jobs, making its maintenance highly crucial for the prosperity of the nation's social and economic status. Of special concern was [[Rice production in Sri Lanka|rice]] and [[Tea production in Sri Lanka|tea]], which are a staple food and major export respectively.

Despite it being a record crop in the first half of 2021, the tea crop began to decline in July of that year.<ref name=":7" /> Rice production fell by 20% over the first six months of the ban, and prices increased by around 50%. Contrary to its past success at [[self-sustainability]], the country had to import US$450 million worth of rice to meet domestic demand.<ref name=":7" /> In late August, the government acknowledged the ban had created a critical dependency on supplies of imported organic fertilizers, but by then food prices had already increased twofold in some cases.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last1=P |first1=Samyak |last2=ey |date=2021-09-05 |title=How Sri Lanka's overnight flip to total organic farming has led to an economic disaster |url=https://theprint.in/world/how-sri-lankas-overnight-flip-to-total-organic-farming-has-led-to-an-economic-disaster/728414/ |access-date=2021-09-08 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2021, the government declared an [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|economic emergency]], citing the ban's impact on food prices, as well as inflation from the devaluation of Sri Lankan currency due to the crashing tea industry, and a lack of tourism induced by COVID-19 restrictions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perumal |first=Prashanth |date=2021-09-06 |title=Explained {{!}} What caused the Sri Lankan economic crisis? |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/explained-what-caused-the-sri-lankan-economic-crisis/article36314148.ece |access-date=2021-09-07 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-09-01 |title=Covid: Sri Lanka in economic emergency as food prices soar |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58390292 |access-date=2021-09-05}}</ref><ref name=":9" />

In November 2021, the country partially lifted the ban on inorganic farming for certain key crops such as rubber and tea, and began to offer compensation and subsidies to farmers and rice producers in an attempt to cover losses.<ref name="The New York Times 2021sri">{{cite web |last1=Wipulasena |first1=Aanya |last2=Mashal |first2=Mujib |date=7 December 2021 |title=Sri Lanka's Plunge Into Organic Farming Brings Disaster |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/world/asia/sri-lanka-organic-farming-fertilizer.html |access-date=19 January 2022 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Watt |first=Louise |date=2021-11-21 |title=Sri Lanka abandons drive to become world's first organic country amid spiralling food prices |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/11/21/sri-lanka-abandons-drive-become-worlds-first-organic-country/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The previous subsidies on synthetic fertilizer imports were not reintroduced.<ref name=":7" />