Nutrient Management under Organic Production System in Hill/Mountain Regions

Agriculture, by its nature, depletes essential nutrients from the soil. If soils are to remain productive, nutrients must be replaced by chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, farming practices or a combination. The chemo-centric technological advancement during green revolution period boosted the production potential and provided food security in plains. However, over a period of time, this production system has started exhibiting its limited carrying capacity as reflected by production plateau. The success of industrial agriculture in recent decades has masked significant externalities, affecting natural resources, human health, and agriculture itself. Further, increasing consciousness about conservation of environment and health hazards associated with agrochemicals, and consumers’ preference to safe and hazard-free food have shifted interests in organic agriculture. Contrary to this, the farmers of hills/mountains have not tasted the fruit of green revolution and ignored chemical inputs, though they are also facing the major challenge of non-availability of organic inputs, especially, nutrient sources to be used in organic production system. The farmers must be aware about how they can efficiently manage the nutrition under organic production system. This article will provide an insight to the farmers on the availability and usefulness of supplementary nutrient sources to enrich the soil for better crops under organic production system in remote mountain regions.