Organic farming: Know definition, features and benefits

Meaning and importance of organic farming

Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on biological fertilisers made primarily from plant and animal wastes as well as nitrogen-fixing cover crops as pest controls. 

Modern organic farming has many ecological advantages and was created in reaction to the harm that synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides in conventional agriculture were causing to the environment.

Organic farming: History

In the early 1900s, Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner, and others developed the concepts of organic agriculture because they believed that employing animal manures (often composted), cover crops, crop rotation, and biologically based insect treatments made a better farming system.

The traditional and sustainable farming methods he discovered while conducting agricultural research in India greatly inspired Howard, who pushed for the adoption of these practices in the West. 

Organic farming: Regulations

Governments have explicitly defined organic agriculture. Farmers must be certified before their produce and products may be called “organic.” 

The use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, ionising radiation, sewage sludge, and items created through genetic engineering is prohibited under organic standards in the European Union (EU) and the United States, for instance. According to EU regulations, certified organic control bodies in the EU perform organic certification and inspection. 

The National Organic Standards of the US by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been used to define organic farming since 2000, and there are numerous accredited organic certifiers all throughout the nation.

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Types of organic farming

Organic farming is of two types:-

• Integrated organic farming

In integrated organic farming, we use worms and pests for management. We also have to ensure proper nutrient management in order to balance the ecological requirements and demands rightly.

• Pure organic farming

Pure organic farming is, as the name suggests, free from all unnatural chemicals. In pure organic farming, we use natural fertilisers and pesticides that are obtained from natural sources such as bone meal, blood meal, raw vegetables, composting, etc.

Organic farming: Methods

Fertiliser

Since synthetic fertilisers are not used, organic farmers place a high priority on creating and maintaining rich, living soil through the addition of organic matter. Manure, compost, and animal byproducts, such as feather meal or blood meal, can all be used to apply organic materials. 

The USDA National Organic Standards state that raw manure must be spread no later than 90 or 120 days before harvest, depending on whether the harvested portion of the crop is in contact with the ground. This is because raw manure has the potential to harbour human diseases. There are no time constraints for applying composted manure that has been turned five times in 15 days and reached temperatures between 55 and 77.2 °C (131 and 171 °F).

 

Pest control

Organic insecticides come from sources that are found in nature. Among these are living things like the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, which is used to combat caterpillar pests, or plant products like pyrethrins. Sulphur and copper-based inorganic insecticides are also permitted.

Organic pest control incorporates biological, cultural, and genetic measures in addition to insecticides to reduce pest damage. When using biological management, pests are attacked by their natural enemies, such as parasitoids like certain wasps or predatory insects like ladybugs. 

Crop rotation is the most popular cultural management for pests, as it can interrupt pest life cycles. Last but not least, conventional plant breeding has resulted in a variety of crop cultivars that are resistant to particular pests. Utilising such variations and cultivating genetically varied crops offer genetic protection against pests and a number of plant diseases.

Advantages of organic farming

Benefits of Organic farming are:

• Organic farming promotes sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.
• Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, reducing the risk of environmental contamination and preserving the quality of soil and water resources.
• Organic farming methods also contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by promoting the growth of diverse crops and preventing the loss of endangered species and their habitats.
• Organic farming can lead to improved human health by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, improving the nutritional quality of food, and supporting local food systems.
• While organic farming may have higher initial costs, it can result in long-term economic benefits for farmers by reducing input costs, improving soil health and fertility, and increasing the market value of organic products.

Disadvantages of organic farming

Limitations of organic farming are:

• Organic farming may have lower yields compared to conventional farming due to the absence of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
• It can be more labour-intensive and time-consuming, which can increase production costs.
• Organic farming may be more vulnerable to pest outbreaks and weather-related crop failures, leading to financial losses for farmers.
• Organic farming methods may not be able to meet the growing demand for food in a rapidly expanding global population.
• Organic products can be more expensive for consumers, making them less accessible to low-income households.

Organic farming vs conventional farming techniques

In traditional farming, the farmer must use harsh chemicals to treat or fumigate his farm before seeds are sowed in order to eradicate any naturally occurring fungicides. He will apply petroleum-based fertilisers to the land. The organic farmer, on the other hand, will enrich and prepare his field before sowing by scattering natural fertilisers like manure, bone meal, or oyster fertiliser.

To prevent insects and pests, the organic farmer will soak the seeds in fungicides and pesticides before sowing. To stop insects from taking the seeds that have been sowed, chemicals are also added to the irrigation water.

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FAQs

What are the reasons for organic farming?

It is done to increase the nutritional advantages, to avoid consuming GMOs, and for a taste that is more natural.

What are the key factors of organic farming?

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you.Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com