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The growing ecological crisis in agriculture has intensified the need for sustainable farming practices, particularly in developing countries like India, where agriculture remains central to livelihoods and food security. The expansion of chemical intensive agriculture during the Green Revolution significantly increased food production but also resulted in long term ecological and socio economic challenges, including soil degradation, groundwater depletion, biodiversity loss, and rising input costs (Tilman et al., 2002; Shiva, 1991; Pingali, 2012). In this context, organic farming has emerged as a key alternative that emphasises ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. However, the transition to organic agriculture is not merely a technical shift; it is shaped by governance structures, institutional arrangements, and political dynamics. This study evaluates India’s organic farming policies through a governance lens, focusing on how institutional frameworks, regulatory mechanisms, and political priorities influence policy implementation and outcomes. It examines major policy initiatives such as the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). These programs aim to promote sustainable agriculture through financial support, certification systems, and value chain development. However, their effectiveness is constrained by governance challenges, including institutional fragmentation, weak coordination between central and state agencies, complex certification procedures, and limited market access (Birner & Resnick, 2010; Raynolds, 2004; Kumar & Singh, 2021). The study further analyses the role of multiple stakeholders government institutions, certification bodies, farmer organisations, civil society, and market actors in shaping the governance of organic agriculture. It argues that inclusive participation, decentralised decision making, and strong institutional capacity are essential for effective policy implementation (Agarwal, 2010; Scoones, 2015). Additionally, the research situates organic farming within the broader political economy of agriculture, highlighting how subsidy regimes, market structures, and electoral considerations influence sustainability transitions (Bernstein, 2010). The findings suggest that although India has made significant progress in promoting organic agriculture, existing policies remain fragmented and insufficiently integrated into the mainstream agricultural framework. Strengthening governance mechanisms through improved institutional coordination, simplified certification systems, enhanced extension services, and better market infrastructure is critical for achieving sustainable agricultural transformation. The study says that organic farming in India must be understood as a governance driven and political process rather than merely an environmental or technical solution, and that effective governance is essential for ensuring ecological sustainability, rural livelihoods, and long term food security.

Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming, Governance Framework, Agricultural Policy, Institutional Challenges, Political Economy