Call Out…

Renu, 26, Shimla

“My father came back from an organic seminar very hopeful. He says land should be poison-free. But can we really manage this?”

Reality Translation Layer

Renu, your farm already looks close to organic. Apples, peach, plum, rajma, beans, maize. Few cows. No heavy chemicals. But orchard farming is different. Pests, diseases, grading losses, storage issues — these don’t stop just because farming becomes organic. Inputs change, risks don’t disappear.

Am I alone or someone is holding my hand!

Your father is not alone, but support is limited. Government schemes help with certification cost and some training. After that, you are mostly on your own. Buyers won’t come just because you are organic. Markets will still judge quality, size, color, shelf life.

Is it really worthwhile or just cosmetics?

For your family, organic makes sense even without premium. You already earn from tourism job. Farming income is steady, not desperate. If poison-free land gives peace, that itself is a return. But don’t expect miracles or fast money. This is a slow, values-driven decision — not a business jump.