Uttarakhand’s Organic Agricultural Products: A Sustainable Path to Green Economy and Rural Prosperity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2025.v12n9.001Keywords:
Organic Agriculture, Sustainable Development, Green Economy, Rural Livelihoods, Uttarakhand Himalaya, Indigenous Farming SystemsAbstract
Organic agriculture has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative to chemical-intensive farming, particularly in ecologically fragile regions such as the Uttarakhand Himalaya. This study examines how Uttarakhand’s organic agricultural products, rooted in indigenous practices like Barahnaja mixed cropping and orchard farming, contribute to environmental sustainability, rural livelihoods, and the green economy. Relying on secondary data from peer-reviewed research, policy reports, and institutional case studies, the analysis highlights that organic farming improves soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate resilience while generating income through high-value crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, and eco-tourism. However, barriers including certification costs, weak infrastructure, and labor shortages constrain scalability. The findings suggest that integrating indigenous knowledge with institutional support and digital market innovations can strengthen Uttarakhand’s role as a model for organic-based rural development. Policy priorities should focus on certification reform, cold-chain infrastructure, and capacity building to align organic agriculture with the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure long-term ecological and economic resilience.
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