Organic farming has emerged as a prominent pathway for addressing sustainability challenges in Indian agriculture; its developmental outcomes remain uneven. This study examines the trajectory of organic farming in India by analysing farmer structure, expansion of organically cultivated area, production dynamics, category-wise performance, and domestic market outcomes. Using secondary data from certification agencies and government sources, the study reveals a paradoxical pattern: while India leads globally in the number of organic producers and has witnessed rapid expansion in certified organic area, organic food production and domestic market penetration remain limited and volatile. Production trends show a strong dependence on fibre crops, particularly organic cotton, masking declines in several food crop categories. The analysis further highlights an area–production mismatch arising from certification-based reporting mechanisms and export-oriented market structures. Despite substantial production capacity, the domestic organic market remains marginal, constrained by price sensitivity, weak value-chain integration, and limited consumer trust. The study argues that India’s organic transition has been predominantly policy- and participation-driven rather than market-oriented. It concludes that sustainable growth of organic farming requires a systemic shift toward domestic market development, improved certification credibility, and farmer-centric institutional support...
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