Organic Farming

As the global population began to grow rapidly, the need for a more sustainable approach to food production became more obvious. Unsustainable farm practices, geared only towards higher yields, put additional pressure on global issues such as:

� Climate changes
� Loss of biodiversity
� Soil erosion
� Pollution of the most important natural resources (soil and water)

So to overcome these challenges, we come up with a solution:

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, and growth hormones.

Main Principles

Organic farming is strictly regulated in each country, with a few common principles being known:
� The principle of health claims that organic farming is intended to protect and enhance the health of all organisms (this includes soil microorganisms, as well as humans)
� The principle of ecology, which is based on the fact that organic farming should protect and benefit the environment (landscape, climate, natural habitats, biodiversity, air, water, and soil)
� The principle of fairness aims to provide socially and ecologically appropriate management over environmental resources, as well as provide a sufficient supply of quality food and other products.
� The principle of care stresses precaution and responsibility as the key concerns in organic farm management.

Questions: -

1. Applying chemical fertilizers for plant growth is the method of :
a. Organic farming
b. Plantation farming
c. Mixed farming
d. Conventional farming

2. Which of the following is not the problem facing before introducing Organic Farming?
a. Climate changes
b. Soil erosion
c. Pollution of the most important natural resources
d. No loss of Biodiversity

3. Which is not the principle of Organic Farming?
a. The principle of care
b. The principle of health
c. The principle of ecology
d. The principle of Stress

4. Using synthetic herbicides to manage weeds is a method of :
a. Organic farming
b. Plantation farming
c. Mixed farming
d. Conventional farming

5. _________ farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers.
a. Plantation
b. Mixed
c. Conventional
d. Organic

Key Characteristics of Organic Farming �

Organic farming refers to agricultural production systems reliant on green manure, compost, biological pest control, and crop rotation to produce crops, livestock, and poultry.

1. Protecting the long-term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention.

2. Providing crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil microorganisms.

3. Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.

4. Weed, disease, and pest control rely primarily on crop rotation, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring resistant varieties, and limited thermal, biological and chemical intervention.

5. Careful attention to the impact of the farming system on the wider environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

6. The extensive management of livestock, paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioral needs, and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding, and rearing.

Advantages of Organic Farming :

� Economical- In organic farming, no expensive fertilizers, pesticides, HYV seeds are required for the plantation of crops. Therefore, no extra expense.
� Good return on Investment- With the usage of cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can make a good return on investment.
� High Demand� There is a huge demand for organic products in India and across the globe, generating more income through export.
� Nutritional- As compared to chemical and fertilizer utilized products, organic products are more nutritional, tasty, and good for health.
� Environment-Friendly- The farming of organic products is free of chemicals and fertilizers, so it doesn�t harm the environment.