ORGANIC FARMING CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
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1 Need for organic farming
1. Reduction in natural soil fertility and health.
2. Destruction of soil structure, poor aeration and WHC.
3. Susceptibility to soil erosion by wind and water.
4. Diminishing returns on inputs.
5. Indiscriminate killing of useful insects, microorganisms and predators.
6. Reduction in genetic diversity of plant species.
7. Pollution with toxic chemicals and poisoning food with highly toxic pesticide.
8. Pollution of water with wastes instead of recycling.
9. Chemicals changing the natural taste of the food.
10. Depletion of non-renewable resources for producing fertilizers.
11. Lowering the drought tolerance of the crop.
12. Destroying the local culture.
2 Organic farming – Definition
FAO: Organic agriculture is a unique production and management system which promotes and enhances agro ecosystem health, including bio diversity, biological cycle and soil biological activity and this is accomplished by using on – farm agronomic, biological and mechanicals methods in exclusion of all synthetic off – farm inputs
USDA : Organic farming system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs ( such as fertilizer, pesticides, hormones and feed additives etc., ) used to the maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic wastes, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection
3 Management of organic farming
1. Organization of crop and livestock production and the management of farm resources in such a way that conflicts with natural systems.
2. Achievement of a closed cycle to the greatest extent possible between soil, plants, animals and people and avoidance of environmental pollution.
3. Maintenance of soil fertility for optimum production, relying primarily on renewable resources.
4. Reduction of pest and disease incidence through a carefully designed farm rotation and enterprise structure use of resistant varieties; the encouragement of beneficial pest predators and the use of other biological pest control techniques.
5. Use of forms of animal husbandry which respect the welfare and behavioral needs of farm livestock.
6. Use of appropriate farm machinery and cultivation techniques which reduces non-renewable resource consumption.
7. Enhancement of the environment in such a way that wildlife flourishes and it is enjoyable for people both working within the system and viewing it from outside.
4 Advantages of organic farming
1. Creates optimal conditions in soil for high yields and good quality crops
2. Supplies all the nutrients required by the plant
3. Improves plant growth and physiological activities of plants
4. Improves soil physical and chemical properties
5. Reduce the need for purchased inputs
6. Pollution is minmised as the wastes are recycled
7. Provides more healthy and nutritionally superior food for man and animals
8. Plants are more resistant to disease and insects
9. Prevents environmental degradation
10. Diversification of crops lead to more secure income
5 Constraints/Barriers in organic farming
1. Organic farming technology – location specific.
2. Organic manures bulky in nature – high transport application cost.
3. Small farm holdings less scope for in-situ organic manure production.
4. Lack of awareness in scientific compost making.
5. Lack of scientific data on organic farming.
6. Farmers may have fear to enter the new market without adequate government support.
7. Limited domestic market.
8. In changing over to organic farming an initial crop losses occurs i.e. Possible yield reduction.
9. The weakened biological controls may take three to four years to build up .
10. Changing over also requires time.
11. Land resources is allowed to move freely from organic farming to conventional farming but not vice versa.
6 Key principles of organic farming
1. Mixed farming
2. Crop rotation
3. Organic cycle optimization
7 Components of organic farming
The components of organic farming are
1. Organic manures
2. Non-chemical weed control measurements
3. Biological pest management
