Image Credits : Sanesa Farms: Organic Fruits & Vegetables

The pandemic has jolted us out of our slumber and made us realize many harsh realities of the world. One of the most pressing realities is the amount of damage we have dealt to our environment and ourselves due to our poor farming and eating habits. Fortunately, we are slowly realizing this fact and have started to make changes to what we eat and where we buy our food from. People are now opting for healthier products, regardless of their financial status.

Earlier, the use of organic food was only prevalent in the richer communities of India. Nevertheless, as the times are changing and more people are becoming aware of the harmfulness of traditionally grown food and its effects on the environment, the demand for organic food is increasing among a larger audience. This surge in demand is giving entrepreneurs numerous business opportunities.

Business people around the country are designing and strategizing their businesses to cater to many audiences, including the middle class. Let’s take a look at how the organic market in India is folding out:

A business for the future

When the organic lifestyle trend came to India, it was initially disregarded as a fad. But slowly, as the awareness grew, brands started picking on this trend and started focusing on providing healthier food to customers. It didn’t take much time for the movement to turn into a habit and the inclination towards organic food to come to light. 

Now, many Indians practice healthy eating and rely on organic food to get most of their calories and nutrients. The rise in demand for organic food can also be credited to the pandemic and its devastating effects on society. People have realized that healthy eating is one of the best habits to pick up on to maintain health and keep themselves safe against harmful agents. 

The rising demand for organic products

India is rapidly growing to become one of the most literate countries globally, which is one of the reasons why the country is especially inclining toward a healthy, organic lifestyle. As more and more people become aware of the drawbacks of traditionally grown food and the benefits of organic food, they are becoming wiser in their choices, even if it is more expensive than the traditional options. 

In turn, the food market in India is growing more conscious with the farming methods becoming more aware and the food getting tastier and more nutritious.

Middle class expanding its spending limit

By 2025, the spending capacity of the Indian middle class is expected to grow double, according to research conducted by India Brand Equity Foundation. The middle class makes up most of the population of India. And now that the middle class is buying organic food to be the best option, the organic market is yet to see new heights.

The rise in middle-class income also has to do with the disposable income option and quick access to credit.

E-commerce driving the change

E-commerce has cemented its feet in India since it started. One can find anything from a toothbrush to a smartphone on e-commerce platforms and have them delivered directly to their homes. Thus, the delivery of organic food is only here to stay. With the far-reaching capacity of e-commerce, organic products are bound to reach a larger audience, regardless of their location. Moreover, the ease of access to the internet allows people to learn more about the advantages of organic food, which, in turn, is helping them to make better choices in terms of buying food. 

Government support

Last but not least, the government of India is supporting organic farming in the country through schemes such as Paraparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna, under which 2 lakh hectares have been allocated to organic agriculture. This scheme will benefit 5 lakh farmers and increase the awareness of organic food in India.